Embark on a journey through the picturesque valleys of one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world as we visit the Zanskar District of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. A highland, so treacherous in terrain, yet adorned with majestically beautiful valleys, Zanskar houses one of the pristine landscapes of the world, where severe climatic conditions team up with dangerous roads through high-altitude passes to give birth to a terrain so rugged, yet so mesmerizingly beautiful.
These treacherous journeys open up to the most beautiful valleys of the world, it certainly makes up for all the pain and the wait. Zanskar welcomes to undertake a journey through the ancient high roads of the world, and in turn, get amazed by the enchanting beauty of the landscape that the mighty Himalayas have bestowed upon this place.
Once we land in Srinagar, our chauffeur will accompany us to the hotel. An early lunch after freshening up will provide some time to rest as we can gear up our enthusiasm stored for the Shikara ride at Dal Lake, an experience made immortally romantic by the Hindi Film Industry. Later, we will have a stroll inside the Mughal Gardens of Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh. A mesmerizing sunset at the backdrop of the Dal Lake shall make us delighted before returning back to our hotel. The momentum will gain its spirit with the delectable full course Kashmiri dinner at the hotel followed by some consecutive leisurely yawns and first night stay at Srinagar, Kashmir.
KARGIL, the 2nd largest town in Ladakh will be our destination. On the way, we’ll visit the pristine valley of Sonmarg, located on the banks of the Nallah Sindh and nestled within imposing snow-clad Himalayan Peaks. As we pass through the Zoji La Pass at 3528 mt. that separates the Kashmir Valley to its west to the Drass Valley at its northeast we will eventually enter Drass, the gateway to Ladakh at 3,300 mt. It is the world’s 2nd coldest inhabited place after Siberia. Thereon, we will visit the War Memorial Hall and Museum, also known as Vijaypath, before heading to Kargil. It’ll be evening till we check into our hotel. We’ll be equally famished and tired, and there will end the day with a sumptuous dinner followed by a warm comfortable night stay at Kargil.
A 10 hour journey to Padum valley is on course today. We’ll start as early by 7 A.M. in the morning. Breakfast will be packed to be had enroute towards the town of Sankoo, located in a bowl-shaped valley by large tributary streams of the Suru River. Bask in the colours of the village, painted by the rich palette of blooming flora. Being the richest flourishing and most vibrant valley in the whole of Ladakh, the village of Sankoo Valley is known as Ladakh’s own Gulmarg. By afternoon, we will be reaching Rangdum, a valley at 3,657 mt. With its Gompa and attendant village of Juliodok, it is the last inhabited place in the Suru valley. After having lunch, we’ll start for Padum Valley, the only town and administrative center of the Zanskar District. With valleys as experience filled with the greener pastures of life, we will be checking into our pre-booked hotel late evening. A plate of hot dinner followed by a sound sleep at our warm cozy room at Padum Valley will call it a day.
After a filling breakfast, we just stroll around the valley, through which the Zanskar River flows from its source at the Drang Drung Glacier of the Penzi La. After lunch in the hotel, we will set out for Dzongkhul Monastery, also known as the Zongkhul Gompa, located in the Stod valley of Zanskar. The monastery belongs to the Drukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. A mesmerizing sunset from the compounds of the monastery before returning back to our hotel will be the experience to carry in mind. An enjoyable day will certainly end with delicious dinner and night stat at Padum Valley.
We’re in for a journey to Rangdum today through the Penzi La. Enroute we’ll pass through the territory of the Drang Drung glacier that feeds the entire valley with water through the Suru River. The next halt is at the Rangdum Gompa, a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery belonging to the Gelugpa sect, situated on top of a small but steep sugarloaf hill at an altitude of 4,031 mt at the head of the Suru Valley. In the evening, we will check into our night stay for a hot meal in dinner and a warm bed to sleep for the night at Rangdum.
We’ll be returning back to Drass as we finish our breakfast. Passing through the breathtakingly beautiful valleys of Parkachik and Sankoo we reach Purikutchey where we get an enchanting view of the mountain massif of Nun-Kun. Post lunch at Sankoo, we will be continuing through the unexplored Umba La route ate 4,496 mt, with more than 50 hairpin curves and dangerous drop-offs. As we finally reach our hotel, an early dinner and good sleep will comfort our stay for that night at Drass / Kargil.
The cold mornings in Drass are treasured experiences. As we finish our breakfast, we’ll start our journey for Sonmarg through the high altitude pass of Zoji La. In the picturesque valley of Sonmarg, we can try some local delicacies for lunch before heading towards Srinagar. The afternoon will be kept for hitting the local market to suffice our shopping spree. Strolling through the vibrant market with an acquaintance of the local culture over dinner at street outlets will keep the spirit lively before moving to the hotel for the night stay at Srinagar.
The last breakfast at Kashmir shall help to gobble the weaknesses grown in these days on Zanskar before heading to the Srinagar airport for the journey home.
At zerodegreel
every moment will someday make you look back and want to experience it all over again.
