Zanskar is a tri-armed valley system situated between the great Himalayan range and the Zanskar Mountains, the three arms radiating star-like towards the west, north and south from a wide central expanse. Here the Zanskar River comes into being by the confluence of its two Himalayan tributaries, the Stod/ Doda and the Lingti-Tsarap Rivers. It is mainly along the course of this valley system that the region’s approximately 14,000 strong mainly live Buddhist population. About 20 Km south-east of Rangdum stands the Panzila axis, across which lies Zanskar, the most isolated of all the trans-Himalayan valleys. The Penzila pass (4,401m) is a picturesque tableland surrounded by snow-covered peaks. As the Zanskar road winds down the steep slopes of Penzi-La to the head of the Stod valley, the majestic “ Drang-Drung " glacier looms into full view. A long and winding river of ice and snow, " 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 tributary of the Zanskar River rises. The Zanskar Culture Tour can be possible to do by taxies, by hiking, by cycle, by horse riding, by motorbikes, and there are many villages and monasteries connected by well roads.
Zanskar Culture Tour duration: 3 days, 5 days, 9 days & 10 days tours
Zanskar Culture Tour best time: June to September
Zanskar Culture Tour highlight: The beautiful Zanskar valley, The greater Himalaya, High mountains, Glacier, Monasteries, friendly peoples, Villages and their life style.
Zanskar Culture Tour route: Leh / Kargil / Rangdum / Padum/ Karsha / Zangla / Phuktal
Zanskar Culture Tour description: The Zanskar Culture Tour is little tough because of its long and roughly roads from the Leh and Kargil town, but it get better and better throughout the year because the government built much better roads as compare to the past and the kinds of transportation is totally different as some years before, now the Zanskar culture tour can be possible with luxury and highly advance Taxies, Cars and Jeeps. In the past it was only the Government and private noisy bus, but now the visitor have plenty of choice to do tour with these Luxury and advance technologies transportation. The Zanskar Culture Tour starts here Padum and it is the administrative headquarters of the Zanskar region.
Zanskar Culture Tour Karsha: This one is the most important Monastery in Zanskar, dating back to about the 11th century, and belonging to the Gelukpa order. A large white complex housing over one hundred monks, the Karsha Gompa holds pujas, often different from those in Ladakh; we should be witnessed, if possible. The three day Gustor festival held in July or August each year is particularly spectacular. There is also a five hundred year old nunnery.
Zanskar Culture Tour Sani: This is believed to be the oldest Ka-ni-ka (named after the former king of Kashmir) Gompa in Zanskar. Unlike most in Ladakh and Zanskar, this Place is built like a castle in the village on flat ground, and involves no steep climbs, and so is more welcoming then the average Gompa. There is an impressive prayer room, full of Buddhist statues and plenty of frescoes and Thankas to delight, There is also a famous stone carving of the Maitreya Buddha on a large rock near the Gompa.
Zanskar Culture Tour Zangla: The road continues past Tsazar to the village and gompa at Zangla, which belongs to the Drukpa. It is also where the king of Zanskar has his castle. Zangla is 35 km from Padum, and can be included in one of a few three or four day trek around the area. There is a small nunnery nearby which is also worth exploring. Bardan Monastery: The remote gompa at Bardan is about 12 km south of Padum, on the trekking route to Darcha. It belongs to the Drukpa order, and was built in 17th century.
Zanskar Culture Tour Tagrimo: Situated in Padum, is a Kagyupa monastery with about 30 resident monks. It was built in the 17th century. Among the paintings one can recognize Nawang Namgyal, founder of the Bhutanese theocracy.
Zanskar Culture Tour Pipting Guru: Is the north east of Padum. Stupa and a few buildings, including a temple are above the village. The temple has pictures of Avalokeshvara with eleven heads, Padmasambhava, Maitreya, as well as Vajrabhairava and Tsong Khapa. The last two indicate that this monastery belongs to Gelupa tradition.
Zanskar Culture Tour Tongdey: On the way to Zangla is the gompa at Thonde, nearly 20 km from Padum. With about 50 monks of the Gelukpa order, Tangney is now the second largest gompa in Zanskar, after the one at Karsha. The village of Tsazar, half a between Tongdhe and Zangla, also has an impressive gompa.
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