Zanskar
Tourism
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.
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. 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.
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.
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