Welcome to the second blog of the Zanskar series, in my first blog ZANSKAR-THE HIDDEN INDIA-SHINKULA TO PADUM, I talked about route 1 via Shinkula top.
The route from Shinkula top is risky and at times un-available due to snow. However, if you planning to discover Zanskar this is not the only route. There are few more routes available, however, not all are safe.
ROUTE 2 – DELHi-KARGIL TO PADUM
If you are travelling from Manali, Darcha side then the distance from Delhi to Darcha would be approximately 660 Kms. However, if that route is not available or you want to travel from the Srinagar side then distance from Delhi to Kargil is approximately 990 Kms.
Clearly there is a huge difference of more than 300 Kms, which would take more time and fuel. However, before the availability of the Shinkula route this was the only official route possible to reach the Padum (Zanskar valley).
KARGIL to PADUM
After covering Delhi to Padum for over 900 Kms, one has option to enter Zanskar valley from Kargil side. This is the gateway to the Zanskar valley from north west side.
The distance from Kargil to Padum is approximately 230 Kms, which is 125 Kms. Clearly it is almost half. However, till date there is not official route from Purne to Padum, which is under construction.
If we calculate overall from Delhi to Padum via Kargil, then there is a difference of close to 500 Kms.
This is possibly the reason travelling via Kargil to Padum is not preferred by travellers and they are ready to take the risk from Shinkula side.
Kargil to SANKOO
Even if the distance if quite long, still the route from Kargil to Padum has a lot to offer and all that is worth travelling via this route.
The first check after you exit Kargil is the town of Sankoo, this place is quite close to the most famous suru valley. When we travelled via this route it was almost night therefore, we camped at Karphokar, just outside of Sankoo towards suru valley.
You can also plan to camp here or choose a homestay in Sankoo as there are many homestays there. One one side we have the beautiful suru river flowing through the mountain valley and on other side you have high snow filled glaciers.
SURU VALLEY – NUN and KUN PEAKS
Next on this route is the famous suru valley, probably this is the place where one must camp, this place is famous for it beautiful view of snow filled glaciers and the famous suru river. There are homestays as well as few resorts on offer for your pleasant stay.
This valley offers first sight of the famous Nun and Kun mountain peaks. If time permits, you can plan a trek from here to Nun and Kun. This is one place I would definetely recommend if you are travelling from this route.
Even if you are not travelling towards Zanskar, one can plan a day tour to suru valley which is just around 90 Kms from Kargil.
Rangdum
Once you cross Suru valley after witnessing Nun and Kun peaks the road leads you to some mountains roads which leads towards one of the oldest monateries of the region, the Rangdum Gompa, which is located close to Rangdum village.
This monastery was built during 1753-1782 is physically part of Suru valley, however culturally part of Zanskar. Although it is located in a valley but we are still at a height of 4,031 m (13,225 ft). The monastery closes around 5 PM in summer, so do plan accordingly.
So far, we covered around 130 Kms, which will take you somewhere between 3-4 hours on a continues go. and we already witnessed Sankoo, Suru valley, Nun, Kun and Rangdum monastery. This route is long however, it has way more to discover and the scenic beauty is just awesome.
Pensi La top- Drang Drung GLACIER
Officially, Pensila is the doorway to Zanskar valley from Kargil side, which is almost 25 Kms from Rangdum. This is one route which will provide you the most scenic as well as cinematic experience.
Pensila offers view of the glacier range of Nun, Kun, Drang Drung and so on. Glaciers are so close to you that you would even want to just run and climb up to them. However, that is possible in some cases like Nun, Kun and Drang Drung.
Drang Drung offers a 23 Kms trek of it own, which one must plan in his/her lifetime. It is probably one of the largest glaciers after Siachen, with an average elevation of 4,780 m (15,680 ft). The Drang-Drung Glacier is a long river of ice and snow, a source of the Stod River,[2] a tributary of the Zanskar River, itself a tributary of the Indus River.
Pensila to Padum
Once you witness the Drang Drung from Pensila, your heart won’t easily let you leave this place. However, the journey must continue. Our destination in this journey is just 80 Kms from this place and mostly going down hill.
Once you descend from Pensila, there will be straight road for around 30-40 Kms. Road is under construction so you may encounter certain bad patches. There are very few stoppage points.
Once you start to reach near to Padum you will witness the first fuel station just 5 Kms ahead of Padum. So far, Padum is a small town but soon it will be like Leh as it has the beauty, sites and accessibility on offer.
Only limitation is the reachability which is getting better with time and soon within 2-3 years we may have roads like Leh leading towards Padum.
I will write a seperate blog only for Padum as this place has a lot to offer for passionate travellers like us. However, I have shared a glimpse of it in my previous blog, so do check that out.
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