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 erhaps 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.
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.
River rafting is not the only adventure sport that you can enroll in here. Trekking and mountaineering also have a great presence here. In fact Zanskar can be completely seen only by trekking through the high rises.
It is next to impossible for unprepared tourist to travel inside Zanskar or even reach it during the winters.
The summer days though are pleasant, nights turn a bit chilly, so it is advised that you carry woolen clothes with you, no matter which time of the year you are coming to Zanskar
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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