Zanskar valley is one of the beautiful and captivating valley in Ladakh region. It is a sub district or tehsil of Kargil district located in the south-east of Ladakh surrounded by magnificent Himalayas. The administrative center is in Padum. Zanskar is a perfect destination for tourists. Best time for visit in Zanskar is from June to August. Once a tourist visits to zanskar valley his fragrance will always lingers within the valley. To visit Zanskar valley you have to get permit from Kargil tourism. The moment you enters the zanskar valley by passing Panzi la you will experience an elusive view of suru valley with its lofty mountains beholds. Zanskar valley is also known for its wide panoramic view of meadows, sceneries and cave monasteries. Notably, best for trekking, river rafting, mountaineering and boulder climbing which will definitely elate the adventure lovers. During summer the climate is benign for tourist but in winter it is harsh and freezing. Shepherds ladakh agents will guide you through all the routes of zanskar valley and give you a surreal experience of the trip. An itinerary for the trip are:- 3 Get a chance to meet and know local people: Our agents will help you to meet and interact with the local people. Most of the people are of Tibetan descendants and few are Indo-Europeans. The dialects or languages are more or less different from Leh. The people are kind, helpful and hospitable here. Astonishingly, they live happily in this remote area with no connection with the modern world. The texture and attire of the people are different and flourished by the harsh and dry climate of the valley. The people use horse for the transportation from one tiny hamlet to 4 another and on field the women use cradle to carry vegetable and stuff from fields. An enticing cuisine and drinks in the valley: The moment you enters into the valley you will get to know the typical cuisine and drinks of the Zanskar. The local food of zanskar are paba-tangthur (Paba made of wheat and grinded peas) ( tangthur made of buttermilk and wild green vegetables), thukpa, curd and local butters. The local drinks are namkeen chai ( salty tea ) and a local alcohol called chang which is made of barley.

Visit monasteries, zanskar region is home to some of the best engineered and well crafted monasteries in the entire Himalayan region.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are numerous monasteries in each Zanskar’s tiny hamlets. Some of the monasteries are :-

PHUGTAL MONASTERY It is a Buddhist monastery located in the remote Lungnak valley in south-eastern Zanskar. This monastery is one of the oldest monastery in Zanskar nestled in the cave. It can be reached only by foot and the supplies to the monastery are brought on horses and donkeys during summer and in the frozen winter they are transported through Zanskar river. Festivals are an important part of the Phuktal gompa. During this the villagers visit to the gompa and interact with monks to bless them and they cater prayer, worship and service.

STONGDEY MONASTERY It is the second largest monastic institution in Zanskar. It is 18 km north of Padum towards Zangla. The gompa was founded in 1052 by Naropa’s disciple Marpa Lotsawa. It was later taken over by Geylugpa and now there are 60 geylugpa monks.

DZONGKHUL MONASTERY It is one of the majestic view bearer monastery in Zanskar. It is located in the Stod valley of Zanskar. It belongs to the Drukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. It is built on the edge of the mountain. It was also built by Naropa a Buddhist yogi, mystic and monk. The gomoa contains thankas and images of famous drukpa and lamas and also relics of buddhas and other goddess. 

BARDAN MONASTERY It is a 17th century monastery located 12 km south of Padum in Zanskar tehsil. It is one of the Drupa Kargud’s first established monastery in Zanskar and it also ran smaller hermitages in the area. The monastery consist of several statues of Buddhist figures and wall paintings and several small stupas made of clay, bronze, wood and copper. It is sited on a foot of hill on the bank of Lungnak river.