Zanskar is the most isolated valley of the Kargil District. Zanskar is not your conventional, run-of-the-mill mountainous terrain. The snow-and-ice landscapes offer a sense of mystery and adventure to every visitor. You just need to spend time with an open mind. As crossing a highway pass is the only way in and it is next to impossible to enter this Valley by road, the Government is paving a way and laying a road along the Valley of the Zanskar River which connects the District Administrative Centre - Padum to Nimmoo on Leh-Kargil road. Zanskar is famous for zanskar which flows in the north east region. Zanskar is a beautiful place to visit and if you need the best tour package for zanskar then we at jammu Kashmir tourism will make the best tour package for you. Location : Subdistrict or tehsil of the Kargil district, in the eastern half of J&K state.
Best Time To Visit : May to October. Winter is perfect for adventure sports.
Meet the hardy mountain folks and experience the extreme winters in this beautiful trans-Himalayan valley- Zanskar. Nurtured by the famous Zanskar river, the region comprises of a mainly Buddist population. With diversified topographical features, Zanskar- 'the true Shangrila' covers an area of around 7,000 km sq (at a height of between 3,500 and 7,000 metres from the sea level). People love to visit Zanskar (the copper star) for its whitish copper, used for making vessels for religous and domestic purposes. It is not only a religious city; or one that providesbreathtaking landscapes, but its art work also draws thousands of tourists every season. In winter, when the Zanskar river gets frozen, it provides one of the most challenging and treacherous treks.
Major Attractions of Zanskar
One of the major attractions in Zanskar is adventure sports. The Zanskar river is an ideal destination for river rafting in summers, and in winters, as the river freezes, people switch over to skiing.
After entering the Pensi-la valley, you will come to the magnificent Drang-drung glacier. This majestic glacier, the source of the river Stod, is considered the biggest glacier of the Himalayan region, outside the Siachen formation.
Penzella Pass, of enchanting beauty, divides the Zanskar valley and the Suru Valley. It is ideal for camping and is often used by travelers and migratory people. In summers, when the snow melts, it offers a great view of exotic flora and fauna.
Flora And Fauna
As you walk through the lower region of these valleys, you may find thick vegetaion comprising of alpine, tundra and blue poppies. Meadows are filled with edelweiss. When it comes to agriculture, the crop mainly consists of barley, lentils, potatoes and apricot. High altitude areas are known for a variety of flowers, including the rarest species of Aconitum Violacium (used in medicines).
Climate
Lying on the Northern flank of the Great Himalayan Range, Zanskar is a semi-desert area. The atmosphere remains warm and dry in the summer. The winter temperatures here are among the lowest in the country, falling below 0 degrees.
Accommodaton
Zanskar offers a few luxurious tourists and economical complexes. Staying in camps or tents is a remarkable experience . There are only a few hotels, available at reasonable prices. If you want to stay for a long time, monasteries and village houses are the best options.
How To Get There
You need to cross several highpasses to reach this shangrila. Whether you fly in or arrive by train, you need to take a bus/taxi from Srinagar or Jammu, respectively, to reach Zanskar by road.
Options for food and shopping are not that great. You may find several dhabas which serve authentic Kashmiri food. There are only a handful of shops available from where you can buy a limited variety of handicraft items. But the place is outstanding in terms of natural beaury and adventure sports. Make your holidays a memorable one by visiting this trans-Himalayan valley.
