Nubra Valley in Ladakh
The Nubra valley lies in the north of leh and is accessible over the Khardungla
pass 5600 Mtrs which is one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The
Nubra valley has opened for Foreign Tourists in 1994 by the Govt. of India to
expand tourists opportunities in ladakh region. The valley is on the trade route
from leh to Khangar via Samsar and Karakoram passed.
Apart from unparraled trekking opportunities. The valley have serval Buddhist
Gompas Diskit Gompa is 350 years old and is situated on the highest point
near the village in which there are about 120 Resident Buddhist Monks.
Indus Valley
A large valley formed by the main channels of the Indus Rivers as they flow
across Ladhak, the place includes parts of Leh district, the Skardu region and
the vast cold desert beyond. The Indus Valley consists of large stretches of
undulating lands interspersed by high mountains across which there are many
passes. The Indus Valley is the soul of Ladakh and is strategically the most
important part. Its border touches those of Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and
India. Passing through a vast inhabited wilderness at the very heart of the
Himalayas, the Indus valley region comprises of some of the least explored places
of Ladakh. A motorable road along the old carvan route through the hills between
Likkir and Temisgong, makes a leisurely two-day hike, which takes in three major
monastries - Likkir, Rizong (also spelt as Rhidzong) and Tamisgang.
Zanskar Valley in Ladakh
The Zanskar region is a small and isolated Buddhist land wedged between the
main Himalayas and the Zanskar range. The main valley is approximately 300 kms
long and is ringed by mountains. Access to it is therefore over one of the high
passes. The most important are the Pensi La connecting Zanskar with the Suru
valley in the West, the Umasi La with the Chenab Valley in the South and the
Shingo La with Lahaul in the East. This makes for very spectacular trekking
country.
The Zanskaris are of the same stock as the Ladakhis and because of the sheer
isolation of their homeland were able to preserve their Buddhist culture. Traditional
values include a strong belief in Buddhism, frugal use of resources and population
control. In remarkable contrast to Leh district, Zanskar's treeless expanse
is the least developed part of Ladakh.
Just as Lahaul & Spiti, Zanskar Valley presents the World with Buddhist
monasteries, mountain passes, glaciers and breathtaking landscape. This region
can be visited by involving in Trekking.
Drass Valley
Drass Valley The Dras Valley is an enchanting valley formed by the Dras. River
which rises in the Machoi glacier near the famous Zozila Pass. The river is
joined in its course by many other rivers and streams flowing in from snowfields
in the nearby mountains. There is a short summer season in the Dras Valley.
It begins in May, when the snows begin to melt. Brokpas are the people living
in the Dras Valley. They probably migrated to this tract from Gilgit several
centuries ago. The town of Dras is located in a relatively flat and open space.
It has extensive willow groves along the river. In summer this town presents
a pleasant look while in winter it discovered under a thick blanket of snow.
Dras experiences the lowest temperatures in the valley and with its altitude
of 3,300 m, this town is said to be the second coldest inhabited place in Asia.
The mercury may drop to as low as 40degrees Celcius below freezing point. Often
the small huts are covered by snow and communication with the outside world
is cut off.
Suru Valley in Ladakh
The Suru Valley one of the prettiest areas of Ladakh, which rises from the Panzella
glacier. On its way to the confluence with the Indus River at Nurla it is joined
by numerous tributaries, including the Dras River which flows into the Suru
River at Kharul. The average elevation of the Suru valley is 3,000 m. Winters
are very severe and heavy and frequent snowfalls occur, though the Suru Valley
does not become as inhospitable as the Dras Valley. The cold season begins around
mid-November and usually continues till May. During this period, most of the
valley discovered with a thick layer of snow.
Shyok Valley
The Shyok river freezes in winter, thus forming an easy access between the Khaplu
and the Nubra valleys. In summer, as the snow melts in the uplands, the river
overflows its banks and inundates the surrounding plain for many kilometers,
at times creating a vast marsh. During this period, the Shyok River has to be
crossed on rafts of inflated skin. The Shyok
Valley is the valley of the Shyok River - the river of death. This is a Yarkandi
(Central Asian) name, probably given by the Central Asian traders who ventured
on this treacherous route for centuries and perished. The entire northern area
-- the region of the Karakoram -- has names related to death. It is evident
that this was a part of the ancient trade route from Yarkand (Central Asia)
to Ladakh, where many died and only the hardiest survived. The entire route
towards the Karakoram Pass is littered with the bones of these travelers.
Rangdum Valley
Situated 3657 m above the sea level, Rangdum Valley is situated at the remotest
and most isolated region the Suru valley. At one of its sides are the colorful
hills while on the other side are rocky mountains and glaciers. Midway between
Kargil and Padum (Zanskar), it is a popular night stay for the trekkers to Padum.
Panoramic surroundings make it a convenient
and foremost choice for camping in the forests of Himalayas and yet being near
a road as a precautionary measure. As the sun sets, the ethereal beauty of the
valley turns itself to the extreme with flame-colored hills wearing shimmering
red snow tops as their crowns. An important trekking base, Rangdum offers 5-day
trek Henaskut across the Kanji valley gorge, which is very popular along with
shorter treks such as hike up the Penzila Ridge opposite the magnificent Drang-Drung
glacier.
Kargil Valley
Kargil, 204 kms from Srinagar in the west and 234 kms from Leh in the east,
is the second largest urban centre of Ladakh and headquarters of the district
of same name. Kargil serves as an important base for adventure tours in the
heart of Himalayas. It is also the take off station for visitors to the erotic
Zanskar Valley. Tourists travelling between Srinagar and Leh have to make a
night halt here before starting the second leg of their journey. Kargil mainly
serves as an ideal base station for adventure activities like trekking, mountaineering,
camping, river rafting etc. In high Himalayan Valleys. It is also a base for
taking shorter excursions like .