Zanskar · 3,650 m
Zanskar
Cliff-top monasteries, glaciers and some of the most spectacular, least travelled roads in India.
Your Zanskar journey
Zanskar, planned gently around you
Cliff-top monasteries, glaciers and some of the most spectacular, least travelled roads in India.
- 01
We begin with your Zanskar
Tell us what draws you here, who is coming and how you would like it to feel. Zanskar can be many journeys; we start with yours.
- 02
We find the right season
Late June to September, when Pensi La is open. We match your dates to the light, the roads and the quiet you are hoping for.
- 03
We set an unhurried pace
Four to six days from Kargil, including at least two nights around Padum. At 3,650 m, the days are gentle, and the route is shaped so you are never rushed.
- 04
Then, Zanskar is simply yours
Stays chosen with care, permits and practicalities settled before you leave. All that remains is to arrive, and look up.
Tell us about your Zanskar journey. It takes three minutes.
Zanskar is Ladakh at its most remote. Hemmed in by the Great Himalaya, it was cut off for half the year until recently, and life still follows the seasons: barley in summer, and in winter the frozen Zanskar river becoming a walking route known as the Chadar.
The classic way in is from Kargil, up the green Suru valley beneath the twin peaks of Nun and Kun, over Pensi La (about 4,400 m) past the vast Drang-Drung glacier, and down to Padum, the small capital at around 3,650 m. A newer road from Darcha in Himachal over Shinku La is changing access. Come with time and flexibility: Zanskar rewards both.
Why visit
- The Suru valley and close views of Nun and Kun
- Pensi La and the Drang-Drung glacier
- Karsha Monastery above Padum, and the cave monastery of Phugtal (a trek away)
- Few visitors, and villages that see little tourism
Best time
Late June to September, when Pensi La is open. The Chadar winter trek (January–February) is a serious undertaking with changing conditions; only go with an experienced local operator.
How to reach
About 235 km from Kargil to Padum: a long day, best broken with a night at Rangdum. From the Himachal side, check the current status of the Shinku La road before planning.
Things to do
- Drive the Suru valley and stop at Rangdum Monastery
- Cross Pensi La and see the Drang-Drung glacier
- Visit Karsha, Stongde and Sani monasteries around Padum
- Trek to Phugtal Monastery, built into a cliff-side cave
Suggested duration
Four to six days from Kargil, including at least two nights around Padum.
Approximate costs
Simple guesthouses and homestays from about INR 1,500–3,500 a night. Transport is the main cost, as distances are long. Check current rates.
Accommodation
Basic guesthouses, homestays and seasonal camps in Padum, Rangdum and a few villages.
Transportation
Hired taxi from Kargil or Leh, or self-drive with spare fuel. Public transport is very limited.
Permits
Indian citizens need photo ID. Foreign nationals should check current Protected Area rules, as requirements for parts of this region change. Confirm with the administration in Kargil or Leh.
Weather and altitude
Cold at altitude, with fast-changing mountain weather; snow can fall on Pensi La in any month.
Altitude 3,650 m.
Connectivity
Very limited outside Padum.
What to carry
- Warm layers and rain protection
- Cash: there are few ATMs
- Spare fuel if driving
- A good first-aid kit
Practical tips
- Build in one or two buffer days for weather and road repairs.
- Check road status in Kargil before setting out.
- Be self-sufficient: services are few and far between.
FAQs
- Is Zanskar open in winter?
- The road over Pensi La closes in winter. The frozen-river Chadar trek is possible in January and February but carries real risks; go only with an experienced local operator and check current conditions.
- Can I do Zanskar as a loop from Leh?
- Yes: Leh–Lamayuru–Kargil–Suru–Padum and back is a classic circuit of a week or more. Check whether newer roads have opened that let you exit another way.