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Places to Visit in Zanskar

The Chadar Trek is a one-of-a-kind and difficult trek in India. Depending on the weather, the multi day Chadar walk across the ice Zanskar River in Ladakh takes place from late January to late February or perhaps in March. It's a once-in-a-lifetime sensation to walk on the thick glass of an icy river with great mountains on either side.

The thick blanket of ice formed by the Zanskar river resembles a white blanket known as 'chadar' in the local language. lWith an elevation of 11,150 feet, the Chadar Trek feels like a trip to the North Pole. Temperatures plummet to 30 degrees at night, all food and drink must be brought in on sleds, and caves must be sought for shelter. Many people's bucket lists include completing The Chadar Trek, especially thrill-seekers who prefer hard hikes.

Best time to visit- Mid January to the end of February is perhaps the best time to trek here. 

Location- Ladakh region

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Suru Valley is one of the popular places to visit in Zanskar due to its breathtaking beauty, which you may explore on foot while also enjoying photography. Picnic sites such as Parkachik, Damsna, and Thulus are also available for a day out.

You can go to Sankoo, which is known as one of Ladakh's greenest grasslands and is sprinkled with wild roses and plantations. At nearly 3000-meters height, it is the greenest valley of the Greater Himalayas, which is such a massive shock. Remember to savour every bit of greenery, especially if you're on your way to Zanskar, because you won't see any for long stretches of your journey! 

Best time to visit- May to September

Location- Kargil, far west of Ladakh

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It's a 14-kilometer-long glacier in Suru Valley that gives rise to the Nun and Kun peaks and serves as a foundation for climbing these two peaks.

The water from this glacier flows into a stream known as "Shafat Nala," which contributes to the Suru river's flow. Because of global warming, a shattered, ice-falling glacier is dissolving at an alarming speed. 

Best time to visit- October to February

Location- Himalaya Range, Zanskar Range, Kargil, Ladakh

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Parkachik Glacier happens to be one of the best places to visit in Zanskar that lets you witness a spectacular mass of ice sliding slowly down the slopes of Nun and Kun peaks, located a short distance from Parkachik. A suspended footbridge across the Suru river leads up to the glacier.

Huge ice slabs occasionally peel off Nun Kun's 300-foot front wall and fall into the Suru River, affording a spectacular vista of the massive ice-fall. After passing the suspension bridge across the river and following the well-trodden trail, you can trek up to the glacier. There are no signs or anything, so if you are unsure about your geography skills, you can hire a local from the area to guide you. 

Best time to visit- Mid June to mid September

Location- Kargil, Ladakh

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This 23-kilometer-long glacier is the largest tourist-accessible glacier in Ladakh. Drang Drung may also be seen from Pensi La, where it appears as a flowing river of ice encircled by the scenic Himalayan mountains; the view is truly beautiful to see. The source of the Doda and Stod rivers is one of India's greatest glaciers.

The Drang Drung Glacier walking trail is brimming with natural wonders such as beautiful glaciers, breathtaking mountain ranges, and even sections of fruit orchards. This major destination in the Zanskar Region is reached after a three-day tough but thrilling walk from Padum. It is, in fact, one of the best trekking expeditions in Ladakh for adventure seekers.

Best time to visit- July to September

Location- Near Pensi La on Kargil-Zanskar Road

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A simple trek from Panikhar which is considered to be one of the best places to visit in Zanskar for adventure seekers is the only method to access this pass. If you're staying in Panikhar for the night, you'll walk up to the pass and back in the evening.

Another option is to start from Panikhar, traverse the pass, and then descend the other side to Parkachik. This pass offers spectacular views of the Nun - Kun mountain. Other peaks in the main Himalayan range between Kashmir and Ladakh can also be seen. 

Best time to visit- October to February 

Location- Ladakh 

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The Umasi La is one of the most sought after places to visit in Zanskar as it provides breathtaking views of Himachal Pradesh's Pir Panjal run. The Umasi La, located between Kishtwar and Zanksar in the Great Himalayan Range, is also the southern entrance to Zanskar.

This walk takes you on one of the most beautiful routes. Spend the night in the opposite direction of the pass, at the glacier. On the margins of the Pardar River, the route skirts the Kishtwar shivling. The trail takes you from the parched Zanskar plateau to verdant hills with deodar and conifer forests. The climb to the pass, which is one of the most remote and challenging climbs, is high and may require ropes and ice axes depending on the weather. 

Best time to visit- April to August

Location- Kargil

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Shingo La is a mountain range pass located on the boundary of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 5.091m (16,703ft) above sea level. The climb is dreadful, with a well-known paucity of oxygen that puts the organisms to the test, as well as a high degree of steepness.

At an altitude of 2,500 - 2,800 metres, most people get altitude sickness and the road is quite tough to traverse. Avalanches, large snowfalls, and landslides can happen at any time, and they are highly dangerous due to the presence of ice patches. 

Best time to visit- July to September

Location- Border of Jammu and Himachal Pradesh

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This mountain in Suru Valley, at an elevation of 7135 metres, looks out over the entire Zanskar region.

Mount Nun, the taller peak in the Nun-Kun massif, could be felt from the moment you stepped foot in Leh, with the twin peaks shining brightly along the route to Kargil. Mounting this peak requires true guts and daring.Intensive glacial structures, icefall slopes, deeply crevassed surfaces, knife-edge cliffs, vertical ice walls, and erratic rainfall provided thrills aplenty for the trip to Nun. 

Best time to visit- July to September

Location- Ladakh

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Lang Tso and Stat Tso, the twin lakes, are located close around the corner of the Pensi La Pass, which connects Zanskar Valley with Zuru Valley. Their breathtaking beauty, which you must see to believe, has made them a popular tourist attraction in Ladakh.

These two breathtakingly magnificent lakes are so pristine and crystalline that the snow-capped peaks of Zanskar may be seen reflected in the water. You can also have a nice time camping near the lake. You can also take as many shots as you like while enjoying the tranquillity of the surroundings. This is one of the best places to visit in Zanskar. 

Best time to visit- July to September

Location- Ladakh

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This gorgeous place in Zanskar's emblematic valley is adorned on one side by mesmerising and bright tops, while on the other side by astounding glaciers and formidable mountains. The main attraction here is a huge eighteenth-century monastery known as 'Rangdum,' which holds 40 monks.

It is clinging to the side of a mid-rising hill and hidden away by an isolated course of a mountain stream, giving it the appearance of an antique fortification for guarding an enchanted mountain. Rangdum is the most excellent area to loosen up, relax, and get rejuvenated while having a tryst with the attractive splendour of nature, which is isolated from city life's monotonicity. 

Location:29PF+P49, Rangdum, 194109

Best Time: April to September

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Zangla is one of the most unique places to visit in Zanskar that is worth stopping by on your Padum and Karsha tour. The village's only feature is the Zangla Palace, which is set atop a hillside. It is frequently referred to as a Zangla Monastery, owing to the fact that it contains a temple and is home to some monks.

The vista from the castle is extremely breathtaking, therefore this tourist attraction should not be missed. The ancient monastery at Tsa Zar, on the other hand, should be explored for its exquisite frescoes.

Best time to visit- July to September

Location-  Zangla village, Ladakh

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It's also known as the Stod river, and it's a 79-kilometer-long river that runs through Zanskar's Stod valley. This river is known for adventure sports, and rafting competitions are held over its whole length. It provides an enthralling perspective as you travel through it.

Definitely worth a visit when in the Zanskar Valley. Rivers are serene, sparkling, gleaming, and calming. Who doesn't enjoy visiting a river and taking in its atmosphere? It's undoubtedly a must-see! 

Best time to visit- July to September

Location- Zanskar Valley

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The thrill is amplified by the downstream promise of sandy beaches, stunning canyons, and beautiful white water to enhance the journey. The Zanskar River, located in the pristine northeastern region of India known as Ladakh, pushes off amid snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

The whitewater is large, moderate, and enjoyable. The river canyon is steep and deep, with large sandy beaches where you can camp beneath the stars. Unquestionably a classic, this is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in exotic environment, traditional Himalayan culture, and a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! 

Best time to visit- April to August 

Location- Zanskar, Ladakh

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You will be travelling along the banks of the Suru river for most of your trip through Suru valley. The river offers a variety of rafting opportunities, which are popular throughout the summer.

The Zanskar valley is said to hold the world's longest continuous Buddhist legacy of any place. Buddhism is thought to have entered Ladakh through Zanskar. Here are some of the oldest Buddhist monasteries, which are well worth a visit.

Best time to visit- July to September 

Location- At Pensi La pass near the Drang Drung Glacier

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Sani Monastery is one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist monastic organizations in Ladakh and Zanskar. It is located on the road to Kargil, 6 kilometres from Padum, at the intersection of Stod Valley and Zanskar.The Monastery is situated in the heart of the village, on a flat area.

A vibrant collection of statues of Buddhist gods and Kargud-Lamas pa’s adorns the Monastery. Sani monastery also features a crematorium outside of its courtyard, which is recognised as one of Tibetan Buddhism's eighth-most important cremation grounds. 

Best time to visit- April to August

Location- Zanskar, Ladakh

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The Lungnak valley's Bardan monastery, 12 kilometres from Padum, is perched atop a steep cliff. The Monastery is one of Zanskar's most important Drogpa order monasteries. It was founded in the early 17th century by Deba Gyatso. A large Dukhang assembly hall may be found at Bardan Gompa.

The Dukhang serves as the focal point for the Monastery's other structures. The hall houses some of the most magnificent Buddhist deity statues, as well as tiny stupas made of clay, metal, wood, and copper. 

Best time to visit- July to September

Location- Lungnak Valley, Padum

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The Zongkhul Monastery is built on a stone face with two caverns in Stod Valley, and from afar it seems like a swallow's nest on the rock face of Ating Valley. The Monastery houses renowned Drukpa lamas' images and thangkas, as well as beautiful murals on walls of caves painted by Zhadpa Dorje, who resided at the Monastery 300 years ago.

 A valuable collection of antiquities, including an ivory picture of Samvara, a crystal stupa, and religious chants and biographies, can be found in the gompa. 

Best time to visit- July to September

Location- Ating Valley, Ladakh

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Pibiting Monastery, located in the village of Pibiting near Padum, is steeped in folklore. The monastery's stunning architecture is well-known. It is situated at the top of a hill and is erected in the shape of a chorten or Stupa.

The monastery is thought to have been built in the 2nd century by Kanishka, a powerful king of the Kushan empire. It provides panoramic vistas of natural beauty. The monastery is surrounded by a serene and peaceful environment. The monastery's surroundings are perfect for hiking and photography. Padum has established itself as a significant trekking destination. 

Best time to visit- July to September

Location- Village of Pibiting, near Padum

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