ZANSKAR VALLEY

About Zanskar Valley

Also known locally by the name of Zahar, Zanskar is a small district in Kargil, located in the eastern section of Ladakh. For the ardent traveller, Zanskar Valley is one of the most enchanting places to visit in the Himalayan region. If you're planning a Ladakh tour, including Zanskar Valley in your itinerary is a must. Plan your visit to Zanskar Valley well in advance to ensure that you do not have trouble arranging basic amenities at the last minute. This valley is a semi-desert, with a known affinity for Buddhist beliefs.

Zanskar Valley is eternally famous for its high snow-capped mountains and surrounding landscape, featuring geographical attributes that are unique to this region. Reaching this place will introduce you to sparkling clean river waters and a pleasant climate that makes it worth exploring. Located 105 km from Leh, Zanskar Valley has earned fame among adventure enthusiasts. With a host of activities that can be tried out at the valley, it has become one of the most popular holiday hotspots for those travelling to the Himalayas.

Most visitors to Zanskar Valley plan a trip for 2–3 days. Surprisingly, it isn’t difficult to find accommodation in this remote region of the Himalayas all year round.

Zanskar Valley Highlights

• Located at an average height of 6000 meters above the sea level, Zanskar valley is surrounded by the unmatched beauty of the serene mountains.
• In winters the Zanskar river freezes to form a blanket of thick ice, allowing the thrill seekers to go on a trek on this frozen river, popularly known as the ‘Chadar’ trek.
• One can enjoy white water rafting at the Zanskar river along with camping at night surrounded by the beautiful mountains.
• The treacherous terrain of Zanskar is perfect for adventure lovers to embark on challenging treks such as the Lugnak Trail Trek, Padum-Darcha Trek and Zanskar-Sham Valley Trek among others.

How To Reach Zanskar Valley

By Air: Reach the Kushok Bakula airport which is the closest airport to Leh. Opt for a hired vehicle to get to Zanskar Valley afterwards. 

By Train: Reach the Jammu Tawi railway station and then, take a taxi or hired vehicle to take you to Leh and later to Zanskar Valley. 

By Road: In order to reach Zanskar Valley, one must travel first to Kargil, which can be accessed via Srinagar or Leh. The distance between Leh and Zanskar Valley is 462 km, which can be covered under 11 hours if one travels via NH 1 and NH 301. Once you reach Leh, you can opt for a hired vehicle to take you via the road route to Zanskar, via Kargil. The best way to get to Leh is through Srinagar, which offers well connected roads and a safe route for tourists to reach their travel destination.

Best Time To Visit Zanskar Valley

Summer: The best time to visit Zanskar Valley is between the months of June to September. During this time, the weather is most decent for travellers who visit the valley. Before June, the early season is characterised by bad roads, which are not in a good condition for travel purposes.

Beyond this time, you can plan a visit maximum up to October month, which might pose slight difficulties but is still traversable.

Winter: If you plan to visit during the months of December to January or February, the only way for you to reach the valley will be by walking over the Chadar trek since roads are not operational during this time. This season must be picked only if you are prepared to undertake that level of physical exertion.

Zanskar Valley Other Essential Information

Best Routes to Zanskar Valley

Via Srinagar and Kargil:  This is the fastest route to reach the Zanskar Valley. You can either reach Leh via the Manali–Leh highway and then continue to Kargil, or reach Leh directly via air or rail. From here, you can take the road to Padum. Speaking in terms of the shortest route, you will reach safely via the Srinagar – Kargil – Padum route. This path is often a part of many Ladakh bike trip itineraries, offering riders thrilling roads and stunning views.

From Himachal: This route is presently under construction and will take another few years to complete. It runs from Darcha in Himachal to Shingo La and then to Padum. Another route runs from Leh to Nimoo and then to Chilling, taking you finally to Padum. Most of this route runs along the Zanskar river.

From Darcha: This 40 km route from Darcha to Shingo La takes you through the famous Phugtal monastery which can be visited while you access this route.

Via Leh: This route is operational all around the year and provides easy accessibility to the Zanskar Valley. It will run through Leh to Chilling and then pave way to Padum. Most locals here remain out of reach to roads but when this route is complete, they will have a better way to commute.

About Zanskar Frozen River Trek

Also known as the Chadar Trek, this is one of its kind of trek that you will find all over the world. The word Chadar depicts a blanket, which resonates with the ice that forms over the Zanskar River during the extreme winters. This trek is a walking route over the Zanskar River, which is often frequented by the locals for trade purposes.

If you are planning to dare this adventure, then you better arrive here in the months of January and February when the sheet of ice is thickest. You will need to pass a medical fitness assessment at the local hospital in Leh, without which, you cannot undertake this trek. The Chadar Trek is also a popular inclusion in many Ladakh group tour packages, as it offers an unforgettable shared experience for thrill-seeking adventurers.

Things to Carry in Zanskar Valley

Here is a list of the most important things that you must not forget to carry along with you, to Zanskar Valley:

1. Appropriate clothing. Depending on the season during which you visit, you must be equipped with the right set of clothes for your comfort.

2. Medicines. Availability of medicines is sparse as you continue to head down the route to the valley.

3. Sun protection since the chances of sunburns only increase at high altitude. 

4. Boots

5. Torches and emergency kit

6. Knick-knacks and ready-to-eat food items

7. Packaged water, maps, and route information

Traveller Tips for Visiting Zanskar Valley

Given the difficulty level of reaching Zanskar Valley, tourists are prompted to make arrangements in advance and take note of the following tips to ensure that they do not have any trouble during their travel to Zanskar Valley:

1. Fuel pumps are fairly easy to find on the Srinagar–Kargil road, but beyond that, none can be found till Padum, where fuel is often in shortage. Make sure that you top up your vehicle in Kargil and refill whenever you get the chance.

2. You will find a single ATM in Padum market when visiting the Zanskar Valley. Needless to say, you must carry enough cash with you to meet the expenses of the trip since the machine can run out of cash or break down unexpectedly.

3. You will find a big government hospital in Padum and Kargil, if needed.

4. After crossing Sankoo, mobile connectivity is pretty dead. 

5. If you’re on a Ladakh family trip, make sure to carry adequate warm clothing for kids and elderly members, as the temperatures can drop drastically—especially at night. Also, pack essential medicines and light snacks to keep the journey comfortable for all age groups.