Zanskar 

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​Zanskar, a remote and fascinating region in Ladakh, India, is a well-known tourist destination, especially among visitors from Western countries. Since Ladakh opened its doors to international tourists, Zanskar has gained recognition for its Tibetan Buddhist culture, breathtaking landscapes, and towering mountain ranges.

Geography and Valleys

Zanskar is characterized by its three main valleys: Sham, Stot, and Lungnak and The Central Zanskar Valley.

 

The central Zanskar valley, with Padum as its focal point, features a region known as Karsha Yulsum, encompassing several small villages around the prominent Karsha Monastery. This monastery, which belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, holds a distinguished position in the region. Founded in the 14th century, Karsha Monastery is the largest in the Zanskar Valley, making it a significant spiritual and cultural center.​​

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 Stot Valley:Located in the Great Himalayan Range, Stot Valley is renowned for its majestic glaciers and some of the highest peaks, such as the Nun Kun peaks, which rise above 7,000 meters.

It receives significantly more snowfall compared to the other valleys.

Prominent landmarks include:

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Dzongkhul Monastery, located about 30 km from Padum in the Zanskar region, is a significant site associated with the Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. This monastery holds great spiritual importance, as the renowned yogi Naropa meditated in a cave above it. The cave is a place of pilgrimage, featuring a stone imprinted with Naropa's footprint.

The surrounding valley is popular among trekkers, with a challenging route leading to Paldar over the great Omasila Pass. This trek involves navigating glaciers and crossing numerous crevasses, making it both a demanding and thrilling adventure. The combination of its spiritual significance and the rugged beauty of the landscape makes Dzongkhul Monastery a unique destination for visitors.

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Darang Durung Glacier:

The Drang-Drung Glacier is likely to be the largest glacier in Ladakh after the Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram Range, with a maximum length of 23 km at an average elevation of 4,780 m. 

The Drang-Drung Glacier is a long river of ice and snow, a source of the Stod River a tributary of the Zanskar River, itself a tributary of the Indus River. Doda Peak with an elevation of 6,550 m rises from the glacier.

Sham Valley:

Known for its picturesque villages and cultural heritage.

Notable sites include:

Zangla Village: The ancestral home of Zanskar's royal family.

Stongdey Monastery: A significant religious center attracting pilgrims and tourists alike.

⁠Lungnak Valley:

Previously isolated and lacking basic infrastructure, Lungnak Valley now boasts a new road connecting it to Manali, approximately 150 km away.

This road has greatly improved access to the region, providing electricity and internet connectivity for the first time.

A highlight of this valley is the Phuktal Monastery, an iconic structure perched on a cliff.