Places To See In Ladakh
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Zanskar
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About 20 kms. South of Rangdum stands the Pazila watershed
across which lies Zanskar, the most isolated of all
the trans Himalayan Valleys. The Panzila Top (4401 m)
is the picturesque tableland adorned with two small
alpine lakes and surrounded by snow covered peaks. As
the Zanskar road winds down the steep slopes of the
watershed to the head of the Stod Valley, one of Zanskar's
main tributary valleys, the majestic "Drang-Drung"
glacier looms into full view. A long and winding river
of ice and snow, the Drang-Drung" is perhaps the
largest glacier in Ladakh, outside the Siachen formation.
It is from the cliff-like snout of this extensive glacier
that the Stod or Doda River, the main tributary of river
Zanskar, rises.
Zanskar comprises a
tri-armed valley system lying between the Great Himalayan
Range and the Zanskar mountain; The three arms radiate
star-like towards the west, north and south from a wide
central expanse where the region's two principal drainage's
meet to form the main Zanskar River. It is mainly along
the course of this valley system that the region's 10,000
strong, mainly Buddhists population lives. Spread over
an estimated geographical area of 5000 sq. kms. High rise,
mountains and deep gorges surround Zanskar. The area remains
inaccessible for nearly 8 months a year due to heavy snowfall
resulting in closure of all the access passes, including
the Penzi-la. To-day, Zanskar has the distinction of being
the least interfered with microcosms of Ladakh, and one
of the last few surviving cultural satellites of Tibet.
Within the mountain ramparts of this lost Shangrila stand
a number of ancient yet active monastic establishments.
Some of these religious foundations have evolved around
remote meditation caves believed to have been used by
a succession of famous Buddhist saints for prolonged meditation
in pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment.
How
to Reach:
The 240 km long Kargil-Padun road, of which the first
90 km stretch is paved, remains opened from around mid
July to early November. The J&K SRTC operates a thrice
weekly B-class bus service from Kargil. However groups
can charter A-Class or even Super-Deluxe buses to visit
Zanskar, including the interior places of interest like
Strongdey, Zangla and Karsha. Jeeps and Gypsy taxis can
also be hired at Kargil. During June and early July, prior
to opening of the road, it is recommended to walk into
Zanskar from panikhar or Parkachik onwards. In June, the
summer is at its height in the region and the climate
is ideal for trekking along the route free from vehicular
traffic of any kind and when the countryside is freshly
rejuvenated into life after months of frigid dormancy.
Where
to Stay:
The tourist Complex at Padum provides furnished rooms.
There is catering arrangement in the complex, while camping
place nearby is available for budget tourists travelling
with personal tents. Padum town has several private hotels
where rooms with basic facilities are available. At karsha
dormitory accommodation is available in the newly build
inn where basic vegetarian food is also provided. In the
distant villages like Strongdey, Zangla, Sani etc.
