ZANSKAR
THE INFINITE AND BEYOND
You guys can always see me bragging about Kashmir and the other parts of India. And there is nothing wrong with it. I duly agree on that point because I know I brag about Kashmir and I won’t stop. Why should I? You see Kashmir is the paradise of the living world. That is to say because the entire world is constantly being narrated about the greatness of Kashmir.
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ONE TICKET PLEASE!
Hey Folks! I am Kaustubh! Founder of ‘One Ticket Please’ and I welcome you to my website. Here I present you with my travel experiences and adventures. To give exquisite details about the way to reach the destination and also pinpoint the ethnic attractions.
Overture:
Zanskar, also known as Jhanskar or Zahar, is a district in the Kargil region. This place is one of the most enchanting places in Kashmir and is the best for adventure and treks. Zanskar is basically a valley in the Northeastern part of Kashmir which subsequently is hidden from the rest of the world.
The Zanskar Valley is known for its empathy towards the Buddhist culture. The entire valley is filled with monasteries, some of them so incredibly constructed makes you question the law of physics. Zanskar is known for its crystal rivers, snow-capped mountains, and pleasant climate.
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To be honest, Zanskar is one of the most favorite places in the Kashmir Valley. Certainly, Kashmir is the most beautiful place on the face of the earth. Every inch, every corner has something or the other that will make you ogle. For instance, let us consider Kashmir as your home (obviously because it is the happiest place you ever are). If Kashmir is your home then Zanskar is your favorite spot in the house.
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Zanskar lies in the greater Himalayas and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and icy rivers. The place is cold and windy all year round. On top of that, the high altitude makes the place hard to survive. Most of the area is semi-desert, with low crop fertility. But this doesn’t stop the Ladhakhis (Locals from Ladakh & Zanskar region) from staying in these extreme regions. Just to give you the preface about the weather; Zanskar valley is considered to be one of the oldest civilized regions in the entire world.
Firstly the beauty of this place starts as the base of your journey. The up-close views of the huge glaciers might be the top of the Zanskar’s sights. Secondly, the hospitality of the Ladkahi people makes the place worth a visit. Certainly, the Zanskar valley is very remote and the farthest place on the face of India, but the love from locals make us feel at home.
Likewise, Zanskar offers various adventures too. Tourists can enjoy trekking throughout the year. Some trekking destinations like Suru Valley and Lamayuru are high in altitude and are regarded as the best trekking trails. Chadar Trek – one of the most famous treks in the country is always a bliss to adventure junkies. In the vein, some even describe Zanskar as the trekking capital of India.
On the other, hand rafting in the Zanskar river is also highly recommended. After all, the trip to Zanskar is always incomplete unless and until you get all chilled up by that frozen river water. In addition, the jeep safari can make you reach out to the fascinating landscapes and glaciers. The 35 km ride along the banks of the Zanskar river is a great experience.
Most importantly, Buddhist monasteries which age back to the 10th century hosts the monastery festival every year. It is highly recommended that you plan your trip to this very festival. The beautiful dance and soothing music during the festival spread an enchanting vibe in the valley. You can definitely enjoy the local cuisine here.
TOP SIGHTS IN ZANSKAR
1. Baralacha La Pass
Baralacha la pass is a mountain road leading to the Zanskar valley and further to Leh-Ladakh. It is a high altitude pass with a height of 16,400 feet above sea level. Basically, the pass runs from Manali to Leh. The road through this pass is best during the end of winter when the roadways clear up.
2. Padum
Padum is crowned as the administrative center of Zanskar. Subsequently, Padum used to be one of the capitals of the Zanskar Kingdom. The village is named after Padmasambhava – the 8th century Buddhist Master. In addition, Padum also serves as a base village to various trekking points like Rangdum and Lamayuru.
3. Drang-Drung Glacier
Drang-Drung is the biggest and easily accessible glacier in the region. The huge ice floe is itself flanked with snow-capped mountains and two alpine lakes. This huge structure adds up to the beauty of Zanskar. Freshly melted water from the glacier serves as a great source to the river during summers.
4. Stongde
Stongde is a monastery in the Zanskar valley which was constructed during the 10th century. To clarify, the monastery is a major tourist attraction. More than 60 monks preach in the Gon Khang complex which is regarded as the temple of guardian deities. The Gustor or the monastery festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is scheduled as per the Tibetan calendar.
5. Phugtal Gompa
Phugtal is one of my favorite monasteries in the world. The entire monastery is constructed around and inside a natural cave. Being so old and yet so precise makes it one of the best architectural miracles around the globe. The name Phugtal basically means cave-leisure. It is believed that 16 prime followers of Buddha were in search of someplace for perfect meditation and spiritual learning. This is when they discovered this cave. It is a 6-7 hour long journey from Padum till you reach the foot of this monastery. You will need to hitchhike or hop on a horse’s back or a yak to get inside. Though hideous, the experience and vier are jaw-dropping.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Firstly this valley is one of the extremely remote parts of India which consequently makes it hard to reach. Summers are easy to get here. One can easily rent a truck or a jeep from the Southern part of Kashmir or Himachal and drive up to the valley. Driving here is much recommended rather than local buses and taxis.
Zankar has harsh and long winters which last almost 6 months from October to May. All roadways are closed during this season. The only way is to trek down. Chadar trek is intentionally conducted during winters to offer winter adventure to junkies. It is highly recommended you prepare yourself to bear the extreme cold and survive in a harsh environment.
Though getting here might be a bit tricky, accommodation in Zanskar is quite easy to find. You can easily get around small hotels and cottages. In case of emergency, monasteries can also spare you a roof. Outdoor stays like setting up a tent and camping are one heck of an experience in summers. A clear sky full of stars just might add up.
Hidden away in the shadow of the great Himalayas, Zanskar is not just a travel destination. It is a mood! A happy place to be around. The magnificent mountains, the never-ending long plateaus, the sparkling river, the fascinating glaciers, and the rugged barren land are creating a mood for people to come to visit this shiny area and never leave back again.
Travel Zanskar!
Happy Travel!
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