 The
Zanskar sub-division of Kargil district is centered around its main
settlement at Padam Four main routes over passes up to 500m
converge here from Lahoul in the Chenab valley, Kishtwar, the Suru
valley and Leh. Truly one of the most desolate places in the
Himalaya, Zanskar is known for its spectacular scale, hardy mountain
folk and extreme winter when the Zanskar river freezes to from the
"chador" over which mail runners operate.
A long and
winding river of ice and snow, the 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
River, the main tributary of river Zanskar, rises.
About 20 kms. South of Rangdum
stands the Pazila watershed across which lies Zanskar, the most
isolated of all the trans Himalayan Valleys. The Panzila Top (4401
m) is the picturesque tableland adorned with two small alpine
lakes and surrounded by snow covered peaks. As the 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 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
River, the main tributary of river Zanskar, rises.
 
Zanskar comprises a tri-armed valley system lying between the
Great Himalayan Range and the Zanskar mountain; 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. 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.
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