Known for its orchards, scenic vistas, Bactrian camels and monasteries; Nubra Valley is the northernmost part of Jammu and Kashmir. Situated about 150 km from Leh, Nubra Valley is known as the Orchard of Ladakh and was originally called Ldumra which meant the valley of flowers.

Surrounded by snowcapped Himalayan ranges, Nubra valley lies sandwiched between Tibet and Kashmir. The view of the valley is picturesque and breathtaking. During winter, the whole valley looks like landscape of the moon (reason for calling Moonland) and in summer full of greenery.

To reach Nubra valley, you will have to cross the awe-inspiring Khardung La, the highest motorable pass in the world. Winding channels of the Shyok and Nubra Rivers crisscross the wide and flat Nubra valley. From a distance, the valley seems parched and dry. However, the valley mainly consists of prime farm land. No wonder then that the valley has earned the sobriquet Orchard of Ladakh. It is not just scenic natural beauty of Nubra which attracts tourists. The valley is predominantly Buddhist and boasts of several centres of Buddhist learning. Ensa, Samstemling, Diskit and Hunder monastery are famous Buddhist monasteries.

The cold desert between Diskit and Hundur are another attraction for tourists. Tourists throng the cold desert to watch the sand dunes and for joyrides on the Bactrian camels. Native to the steppes of central Asia, the Bactrian camel has two humps, in contrast to the single-humped camels found in Rajasthan and other parts of India. The Bactrian camels, found only in Hunder, were the main mode of transport when Ladakh was an important stopover on the ancient trade routes with Central Asia.

Bactrian camels are a pointer to the regions importance since ancient times. A major stopover on the ancient Silk Route, Nubra is still important as it is a major trade centre for woolen textiles made of Pashmina wool and horticultural crops. Locals produce fruits like apples, walnuts, apricots, almonds and staple crops like wheat, barley, etc

Situated at an altitude of 4,350 meters above sea level, Pangong Lake lies in the northeast of Leh. This famous blue blackish lake of Pangong is 5-6 km wide and over 144 km long with half of it running to the other side of the Indo-China border.

LOCATION
The 154-km trip to Pangong Lake from Leh is an experience of its own. The first stop on the way is Thiksey village famous for its huge monasteries, which cover an entire mountain ridge. Beyond this remote village, there is nothing but the extreme mountain ranges for company. The second stop is the Changla Pass (17,350 ft.).

Ladakh at a height of 9,800 feet surrounded by the Himalayas and Karakoram Range houses incredible monasteries in its folds. Located on hillocks or steep mountain tops against the azure skies, it is spectacular to behold this abode of the Divine. With multicolored prayer flags fluttering along the mountain edges, the chilly yet amazingly fresh breeze that blows into to Himalayan Kingdom adds to its beauty. Often you can spot monks in maroon robes silently climbing their ways to the monasteries. Alchi Gompa of Ladakh at a distance of 67 kms from Leh dates back to the year 1000 A.D. Built by Rinchen Zangpo, it consists of a number of temples including Rinchen Lhakhang at Lotsa Lhakhang.

Alchi Gompa comprises of other temples such as Jamyang Lhakhang (Manjusri temple) and the Sumtsag Lhakhang. There are a number of Buddhists images and statues of their attendants too in the monastery. The main image is that of Vairocana. The paintings in the monastery reflect the Indian style. In his biography Rinchen Zangpo mentioned about the 32 Kashmiri sculptors and woodcarvers who built the Alchi Gompa.

The best time to visit Ladakh is however from June to September every year. The lofty mountains that circumscribe the Alchi village are enthralling and elate your spirits and ensnare you into using your camera every now and then. The snow clad peaks inspire many a tourist to undertake trekking trips.

Located at towering heights, the land of Leh and Ladakh is famous for its astounding number of glaciers. Huge masses of permanently frozen snow, most of these great glaciers in Leh Ladakh feed many rivers and are the sources to many others. Though found in areas characterized by extremely cold conditions, and largely inaccessible as they lie in the border areas, a chance to visit these glaciers in Leh Ladakh, could transform your Leh Ladakh tour into a forever cherished holiday. Even though the glaciers in Leh Ladakh are numerous, here is a list of some of the more important ones, which you could include in your plans for sightseeing in Leh Ladakh.

Siachen Glacier: Probably the most famous glacier in Leh Ladakh, J & K, this glacier lies in a massive trough which is more than 2 kms wide. Rocks and boulders are strewn all around the sides of this huge mass of ice, with the central part being a huge snowfield. In winters, this glacier acquires massive proportions and avalanches rolling down its steep, side walls are quite common. Because of its lofty height and extreme climate, the whole area is completely devoid of any vegetative cover. If you want to see the glacier, it is best done via Skardu in Ladakh.

Nubra Glacier: This glacier makes for an amazing view. Surrounded by mighty peaks on all sides, the main glacier looks like an amphitheater - a sheer visual feast for a nature lover and the perfectly composed shot for an avid photographer. Biafo Glacier: With a massive length of about 60 kms, the Biafo glacier lies in the Baltistan area of Ladakh, a part of the slopes of the Karakoram Range which face the south. The glacier feeds a stream which flows into the Shigar River, which is a tributary of the mighty Indus. For natural reasons, the complete area is devoid of any vegetation.

Baltoro Glacier: Source of the Shigar River, a tributary of the Indus River, the Baltoro glacier is the second largest in Himalayan ranges, with a length of about 62 kms. The ice moving down the mountain slopes has carved out many deep troughs, which form the basins of the beautiful glacier lakes.

Hispar Glacier: The third largest glacier in the Himalayan ranges, the Hispar glacier is around 60 kms long. Barren and devoid of any trace of vegetation, the Hispar glacier is joined by numerous smaller glaciers. The central snowfield contains a huge amount of debris, which the erosions of this massive body of moving ice have gathered over the centuries. The glacier also feeds the Shigar River.
There are various other glaciers in Leh Ladakh like the Rakaposhi Glacier, Saltoro Glacier, Chong Kumdan Glacier, Gasherbrum Glacier and numerous smaller ones.

Ladakh is a land of strange beauties. The barren land, which seems to be stretching almost to the other end of the world, is suddenly truncated by lofty, rugged peaks, rising out of nowhere. The various shades of brown are sharply contrasted by the massive snow fields that infest Leh Ladakh. Invest in a good camera, for it is sure to come to your aid when the landscape of the area leaves you completely dumbstruck and gasping for more!

The very mention of Leh Ladakh brings associations of grandeur. The land has been bestowed with divine magnificence in gigantic proportions. It is difficult to find anything in Ladakh that is petite in its proportions - well, anything except its people. Warm, rosy cheeked and ever smiling, the populace of this cold desert infuses the land with a warmth that is beyond compare.

Traveling in and around Leh Ladakh opens up the unknown vistas of your mind - vistas that you didn't know existed. The exalted mountains, the plunging gorges, the extensive valleys, and the never ending almost level barreness, redeemed only by a few shrubs and bare carcasses of once green trees - leave you to experience feelings that are holy and yet unnamed. As is common in India, all places have little stories or meanings attached to their names. Ladakh is not any exception. The word 'Leh' in Ladakhi language means 'pass' and hence Ladakh is the 'land of passes'.

Inspite of its inhibiting heights, relentless topography and extreme cold, the great Himalayan Ranges have quite a few passes that incise through. These passes are largely inaccessible except the short summer months, as for natural reasons they remain ice clogged. Plan a trip to these Himalayan Passes and it's a sure bet that you shall never regret it in your life.

Some of the more famous ones among the many Himalayan Passes are:

Zozi la Pass: Traveling down the 434 km long road that links Srinagar to Ladakh, will take you via one of the most famous of the great Himalayan passes, the Zozi la Pass. Located at an intimidating 11,500 ft or 3505 mts, the passage through this Mountain pass will make it really difficult for you to hold your heart from racing and of course, your fingers from the clicking away at your camera. The scenery on the other side of this pass is magically different from the forested hills of Kashmir, where you started your journey. The pass leads you to the barren mountains of the Drass region.

Barcha la Pass: Located at a towering height of 16,050 ft or 4892 mts, you encounter this pass while driving down the Manali - Leh highway. The pass is the meeting place for three roads, issuing forth from Manali, Leh and Spiti respectively. Khardung la Pass: Reputed to be the world's highest motorable pass, the Khardung la Pass, stands tall at 18,380 ft or 5,602 mts. The pass is located at a distance of 40 kms to the north of Leh, capital of Ladakh.

Namika la Pass: Located on the road linking the Lamayuru monastery to the Mulbek valley, the Namika La Pass is at a height of 12,200 ft or 3,719 mts.

Fortu la Pass: Starting at a height of 13,432 ft or 4094 mts, the mountainous road commencing at this pass descends to the Lamayuru monastery and finally to the Indus River.

Lachung la Pass: Found at a height of 16,600ft or 5059 mts, in the Zanskar Range, a person standing here is provided with a splendid view of the surrounding undulating, hilly areas and the Ladakh valley below.

Taglang la Pass: Known to be the haunt of the nomadic herdsman called Changpa, who migrate from place to place in search of green pastures, with their herds of goats and sheep, this Himalayan Pass sits pretty at a height of 17,469 ft or 5,325 mts, in the Zanskar range.

A portrait of unconventional beauty, painted in stark hues, the land of Leh Ladakh is like none other. Its haunting beauty is tough to ignore, and creates perfect symphony with the heartbeats of the die hard romantic. The passes in Leh Ladakh are not only hotbeds of tourism, but also some of those rare places, where you can truly realize your place in the Universe.

Leh Laddakh is the land of rugged mountains, snow capped peaks and beautiful monasteries where the Buddhist monks reside. Karsha Monastery is one such monastery in Leh- Ladakh which is tucked away in the rugged Himalayas. These monasteries nestled amidst the steep and mighty mountains, have an excellent collection of Thangka paintings and symbols of rich cultural heritage of Buddhist society.

One of the largest monasteries of Zanskar in Ladakh, the Karsha Monastery or the Karsha Gompa is a towering complex which has a good number of chapels and also is the residential place for 150 lamas or monks who stay in Karsha Monastery. On your to Leh-Ladakh plan a trip to Zanskar and visit the Karsha Monastery. As you rise through the winding roads from a distance you can watch the imposing height of the Karsha Monastery.

How to Reach Leh-Ladakh:

Air: Leh is one of the important airports and receives flights from Delhi, Chandigarh and Jammu and Srinagar.

Rail: Jammu is the nearest railway station which is 690kms from Leh-Ladakh.

Roadways: The Srinagar- Leh road is the most popular route to Ladakh while the other route is the Manali-Leh Road.

Karsha Monastery: Karsha Monastery has ornately decorated assembly Hall which has an embellished throne of the Head Lama. There are three chapels in the Karsha Monastery which contains exquisite art objects and has valuable articles. The Lhabrang in Karsha Monastery is a beautiful temple which has walls adorned with excellent frescoes that depict the intricacies of Buddhist Art.

An important feature of Buddhist Religion, these monasteries are considered to be very sacred to the people of Leh- Ladakh. In Karsha Monastery an important festival called of Leh- Ladakh, Gustor is held where thousands of pilgrims visit the mountains to watch the dances performed by the lamas.

On your tour to Ladakh you will come across numerous monasteries in the Himalayan towns. At hilltops casting a panoramic view of the valley below and surrounded by the spectacular snow peaks, monasteries in Ladakh are major tourist attractions. Situated about 127 kms from the Leh town the Lamayuru Monastery is located on a steep hill between Bodhkharbu and Kha-la-che.

Ladakh, at a height of 9,800 feet and surrounded by the Himalayas and Karakoram Range, houses incredible monasteries in its folds. Located on hillocks or steep mountain tops against the azure skies, it is spectacular to behold these structures. With prayer flags fluttering along the mountain edges, fresh air blows into to Himalayan Kingdom, adding to its beauty. Often you can spot monks in maroon robes, silently climbing their ways to the monasteries.

At a spectacular height of 4,600 meters in the outer Himalayas with peaks ranging from 5,800 to 7,600 meters, Ladakh the mysterious land of passes with unexplored beauty was discovered by the Chinese traveler Fa-hian. Ladakh has a parched landscape with dryness around. Buddhism is the dominant religion in Ladakh. The prayer flags flanked along the mountain pathways are indicators of the Ladakhi's being devotees of Lord Buddha. Buddhist inscriptions and Chortens are found inscribed along the walls bordering Ladakh. Gompas and Monasteries in Leh-Ladakh with thousands of residing monks are found amidst the serenity of mountain ranges.

Known for its snow covered peaks that reach out to the azure skies, Ladakh's cold desert mountains offer a spectacular view of the mindless stretch of acres of treeless meadows with the sound of the wheezing winds rushing past you, the landscape often punctuated with stray mountain goats making their way to the grassy part of the land. Besides the beauty of the undulating landscape, touring in Ladakh includes Monasteries in Leh-Ladakh.

Ladakh's landscape offers spectacular sites for Gompas. Located on hilltops or near the River Indus, in the valleys and the mountain tops you can at times find maroon clad monks making their way towards the monasteries. In the Zanskar region, at the opening of a huge cave is the Phugtal Gompa, one of the most isolated monasteries of Ladakh. It dates back to the 12th century and in front of the cave that houses the monastery is a huge gorge that is also a passageway to the tributaries of southern Lungnak River.

Buddhism is the dominant religion in Ladakh. The prayer flags flanked along the mountain pathways are indicators of the Ladakhi's being devotees of Lord Buddha. Buddhist inscriptions and Chortens are found inscribed along the walls bordering Ladakh. Gompas and Monasteries in Leh-Ladakh with thousands of residing monks are found amidst the serenity of mountain ranges. The serenity of the locale as well as the gompa attracts many to visit the place. Besides being the residence of 40 monks Phugtal Gompa, has number of chapels situated within its premises. The frescoes and murals decorated on the walls are artistically done. The ceiling decorations are also worth mentioning. One of the chapels has a strong semblance of Indian art.

Located in the Trans Himalayan region of India, Leh Ladakh is a spectacular destination in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Fast becoming the most frequented adventure zone in the world, Leh and Ladakh has a lot to offer for tourists, from age-old Buddhist monasteries to exciting adventure opportunities. Rangdum Monastery is one of the most revered monasteries in Leh-Ladakh.

Founded in the 18th century, Rangdum Monastery (also called Rangdum Gompa) is located in the Zanskar region of Ladakh, and serves as a major attraction for tourists visiting Ladakh. Lying 130 km to the south-east of Kargil, the region is the farthest and the most isolated part of the Suru vallay, and it falls midway between Kargil and Padum. The landscape here features an elliptical expanded plateau surrounded by enchanting hills on one side and glaciated Rocky Mountains on the other.

Towering above a centrally rising hillock, the monastery is entrenched around by the diverged course of a mountain stream. Rangdum Monastery is home to about 40 monks and stands majestically like an ancient fortification guarding a spiritual mountain valley. The Rangdum Monastery of Ladakh owns the entire valley around it, which features extensive fields tilled by the villagers, green pastures, hills and even streams. The villagers staying around Rangdum are descendants of the serf-tenants of the monastery. These villagers do not own any land since the whole area belongs to the Rangdum Monastery.

One of the stellar attractions of Rangdum Monastery is its museum. Exhibiting a priceless and varied collection of fascinating Tibetan and other relics, this museum draws a large number of travelers to this beautiful monastery.

Ladakh at a height of 9,800 feet surrounded by the Himalayas and Karakoram Range houses incredible monasteries in its folds. On your tour to Ladakh you can spot monks in maroon robes silently plodding their ways to the monasteries. Rizong Monastery is situated at a distance of about 73 kilometers from the Leh town.

Founded by the great Lama, Tsultim Nima in the year 1831, the Rizong Monastery belongs to the Gelukpa order. Monasteries, which are the centers of worship for the monks, are also great seats of learning. Where 40 monks reside, Rizong Monastery educates monks who have chosen the path to God as their goal on life. Strict rules are adhered to and monks follow a daily course of life following the Buddhist principles and learning the scriptures and texts.

A number of shrines are located within the premises of the Rizdong Monastery and a rich collection of scriptures, texts and biographies of great Lamas like Tsultim Nima are preserved here. Books composed by first Sras Rinpoche are also kept here.

At a distance of 2 kms, a nunnery, known as Chulichan (Chomoling), is located close to the monastery. 20 nuns reside here and it is under the governance of the Rizong Monastery. The nuns or the Chomos, worship at the temples of the monastery, perform chores like milking, spinning wool and getting oil for the temple lamps.

Located in the Trans Himalayan region of India, Leh Ladakh is a spectacular destination in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Fast becoming the most frequented adventure zone in the world, Leh and Ladakh has a lot to offer for tourists, from age-old Buddhist monasteries to exciting adventure opportunities.

The historic monasteries in Ladakh are also known as 'Gompas' and they mark the places where Buddhist monks and nuns live, study, and practice their religion. The Shanti Stupa in Changspa is one of the most revered monasteries in Ladakh.

Shanti Stupa (Holy Pagoda) is an impressive white-domed structure located on a hilltop at Changspa in Ladakh. Built by a Japanese Buddhist organization named 'The Japanese for World Peace' - the stupa was inaugurated by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama in 1985. Built in commemoration of 2500 years of the spread of Buddhism, Shanti Stupa was aimed at promoting World Peace.

A magnificent white-domed structure which is wonderfully illuminated at nights, Shanti Stupa is one of the chief tourist attractions of Ladakh.

Its exquisite architecture is marveled by every visitor. The sides of the stupa are adorned with gilt panels depicting events from the life of the Buddha. One of the few monuments erected around India by the 'Peace Sect' of Japanese Buddhists, Shanti Stupa is a must-visit site on any tour to Ladakh.

Shanti Stupa offers spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset from within its boundaries. The site looks best in the evenings, when it gets beautifully illuminated by glittering lights. The drums played during evening 'pujas' lend an exceptionally spiritual aura to the ambience.

The Shanti Stupa can be reached through a steep flight of steps or by a 3 km route from the Fort Road

On your tour to Ladakh you will come across numerous monasteries in the quaint little Himalayan towns. At hilltops providing panoramic views of the valley below ,and surrounded by the rugged snow peaks, monasteries in Ladakh form places of major tourist attraction. Of all the important monasteries in Ladakh, Spituk Monastery which dates back to the 11th century, overlooks the Indus River and is about 8 kilometers from Leh.

Buddhist monasteries, the centers for worship for monks, are also major attractions of the tourists visiting Ladakh. The Ladakh valley is dotted with numerous monasteries belonging to various schools of Buddhism.

Spituk Monastery was named Spituk by Rinchen Zangpo, who spread Buddhism in Ladakh to set an example for the religious community. It is a three chapel monastery. Spituk Monastery functions under the Gelukpa order and Stok, Sankar and Saboo monasteries of Ladakh are considered to be branches of the Spituk Monastery.

The officials of the monasteries are believed to be the reincarnations of Skyabsje Bakula Rinpoche. Inside the Spituk Monastery is the image of Lord Buddha. Another image, about a finger's height, is the sacred image of Amitayus. Spituk Monastery has a rich collection of artifacts like thankas, ancient masks and antique arms. There is also an image of Mahakaal. The image of Vajrabhairava is opened for the public once every year, at the annual festival held on the 17th and 19th days of the 11th month of the Buddhist calendar. The annual festival held at the monastery is the Gustor Festival.

Ladakh's landscape offers spectacular sites for Gompas. Located on hilltops or near the River Indus, in the valleys and the mountain tops you can at times find maroon clad monks making their way towards the monasteries. Located about 25 kms from the Leh town, on a hilltop resembling the nose of the tiger, Stakna Monastery is situated. Stakna literally means 'tiger's nose'. Stakna Monastery was founded by Chosje Jamyang Palkar.

Stakna Monastery belongs to the Dugpa order and about 30 monks stay in the monastery. The central image of the gompa is that of the sacred Arya Avalokitesvara. The officials at the monastery are successive reincarnations of the Stakna Tulku who preserve the teachings of the Dugpa order. Other monasteries namely Mud, Kharu, Bardan and Sani in Zanskar are attached to Stakna Monastery.

The main assembly hall, the Dukhang has a seven feet high, chorten made of silver. A statue of Buddha as well as several Buddhist texts is found here. The left wall is adorned with three paintings of Tsephakmad (a Buddhist deity), Sakyamni (the Historical Buddha) and Amchi (the Medical Buddha).

The wall opposite to the entrance of the Assembly Hall is painted with three images, those of a Bodhisattva, Padma Sambhava and Tshong-san-gompo. Statues of Sakyamuni (Past Buddha), the Present Buddha and Maitreya (Future Buddha) are also found in the hall. Like other gompas, Stakna also has a throne for the head lama of the monastery.

About 46kms from the town of Leh, in a small village called Sakti, the Takthok Monastery is situated. The site of the monastery was once the meditation cave of Mahasidhas "Kunga Phuntsog". Takthok means 'rock-roof' and the monastery is so called as the roof as well as walls of the monastery are made up of rock. Also known as the "Old Order" Takthok belongs to the Nying-ma-pa sect of Buddhism. About 55 lamas reside in the Takthok Monastery.

The annual celebrations held on the 9th and 10th day of the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar at Takthok Monastery of Leh Ladakh include sacred dances and the rituals of consecrated offering. To the left of the central courtyard is the cave chapel of the monastery.

The main assembly hall called the Dukhang located on the right of the central courtyard has murals of deities painted on the walls of the verandah that are displayed only at the time of the annual festival.

There is a throne inside the assembly hall reserved for the Dalai Lama and the wall left to the throne is painted with frescoes of Padmasambhava while the tight wall had paintings of Sakyamuni.

Statues of Maitreya, the Future Buddha or Buddha of Compassion are found in the Dukhang while idols of Padmasambhava and Dorje are also found here. 108 volumes of Buddha's teachings called the Kandshur are also housed in Takthok Monastery.

On your tour to Ladakh you will come across numerous monasteries in the Himalayan town. At hilltops casting a panoramic view of the valley below and surrounded by the spectacular snow peaks, monasteries in Ladakh are major tourist attraction. Of all the important monasteries in Ladakh, Thiksey Monastery which is situated at an altitude of 3600 ms above sea level and ranks among the most important monasteries in Ladakh.

Located at 17 km from Leh, the Thiksey Monastery is 12 storeys high. It has many statues of Lord Buddha but the 15m seated Maitreya Buddha in the main prayer hall is spectacular. Besides there is a pillar with the teachings of Lord Buddha and a vast collection of Buddhist art. The monks of the Thiksey Monastery follow the Gelukpa order. Annual festival is held from the 17th to 19th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan Buddhist calendar in the monastery.

Thiksey Monastery is the seat of Tiksey Rinpoche, the main leader of the Gelug School in Ladakh. The 15m high statue of Buddha which was built in1980 is the largest statue of Lord Buddha in Ladakh. It took four years to construct and is made of clay and painted golden in color. The monastery has the sacred Kangyur and Stangyur texts too.

This statue of Buddha in Thiksey is 15 meters tall and was built in 1980. The statue is the largest Buddha figure in Ladakh which took four years to construct and is made of clay and covered with gold paint. The statue houses the sacred Kangyur and Stangyur texts.

Located in the Trans Himalayan region of India, Leh Ladakh is a spectacular destination in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Fast becoming the most frequented adventure zone in the world, Leh and Ladakh has a lot to offer for tourists, from age-old Buddhist monasteries to exciting adventure opportunities. Tonde Monastery is one of the most acclaimed Buddhist monasteries in Leh-Ladakh.

Being predominantly a Buddhist state, Ladakh has beautifully preserved the religion within its enclosure of majestic peaks and treacherous mountainous terrains. Also referred as 'Little Tibet', Ladakh is home to numerous monasteries of prominent Buddhist groups like Hemis, Alchi, Thiksey, Stakna, Spituk, Shey, Stongdey and Gelugpa schools.

The Tonde Monastery is a Gelugpa monastery located in the village of Tonde in Ladakh. Tonde village can be accessed from Padum - the largest town and administrative center of Zanskar in Jammu and Kashmir. From Padum, take a four to five hours hiking tour through a bare, desert like plateau to reach Tonde Monastery.

Tonde Monastery, also referred as Marpa Ling, stands high above the village, on the way to the Ronde Pass. Originally a Red Hat Monastery, Tonde underwent reforms in the passage of time, and now belongs to the most widespread, Gelugpa School of Tibetan tradition. Around 50 monks of Gelugpa sect reside in Tonde Monastery.

Also known as 'Yellow Hat' school, the Gelugpa sect emphasizes on the study of logic and philosophy - at the expense of direct, shamanic experience - and is a significant force in Tibet, Nepal, Northern India, and a few Western countries.

How to Reach:
By Air - Both Srinagar and Leh Airports can be used to reach Kargil.

By Road - From Kargil, regular buses are available are available to reach Padum. The journey takes two days, with an overnight halt at Rangdum. From padum, Tonde Monastery can be reached through hiking tour.

Zangla Monastery is one of the famous monasteries in Leh-Ladakh. Nestled in the snow-clad Himalayas, Leh and Ladakh have been the centers of Tibeto-Buddhist culture since ancient times. Dotted with uplands, barren cliffs and plateaus, Leh-Ladakh is ideal for trekking. A major attraction of Leh-Ladakh is the vibrant Ladakh Festival, comprising of mask dance and peacock dance.

There are several places worth a visit in Leh-Ladakh while on a tour to Jammu and Kashmir. The most popular tourist attractions of Leh-Ladakh are the 17th century Leh Palace, the imposing Victory Tower, the 15th century Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, etc. The Zangla Monastery in Leh-Ladakh is one of the prime tourist attractions in Leh-Ladakh.

Zangla is a village in Leh-Ladakh that can be reached after a 5-hour walk from Tonde, along the right bank of the river Zanskar. Zangla Monastery is located in the nearby village of Tsa-zar, mid-way between Stongdey and Zangla village. The 240 km long Kargil-Padum road helps you reach the Zangla Monastery.

Zangla monastery is adorned with some exquisite wall paintings. This ancient monastery is home to over 150 lamas. There is a hilltop castle mostly in ruins, and an old nunnery near the monastery that you can explore. Pay a trip to the nunnery and witness the ascetic lifestyle of the small monastic community of nuns. Zangla is the central point on the popular Padum-Strongdey-Zangla-Karsha-Padum round trip, covering most of the cultural sites of Zanskar including the Zangla monastery.

For you to know about the Zangla Monastery of Leh-Ladakh, Indian Holiday can help you with information about the Zangla Monastery of Leh-Ladakh. Just get in touch with us for more information about Zangla Monastery of Leh-Ladakh.

Ladakh at a height of 9,800 feet surrounded by the Himalayas and Karakoram Range houses incredible monasteries in its folds. On your tour to Ladakh you can spot monks in maroon robes silently climbing their ways to the monasteries. Zongkhul Monastery of Zanskar is the spectacular cave monastery that you will encounter just before the climb for the Omasi-la Pass begins.

If you are on your trekking tour to Padum-Kishtwar you will find the two cave Zongkhul Monastery on the rock face of the Ating George. The monastery is associated with the famous Indian Yogi, Naropa who spent years in solitary meditation here. Associated with Nalanda and Vikramsila Universities, it is said the yogi's footprints are found on the stone in the lower caves.

The murals in the cave walls of the Zongkhul Monastery are of great artistic skill. Though old they reflect great artistic excellence. They were works of Zhadpa Dorje, the celebrated scholar-painter of the monastery about 300 years back.

There are a number of blessed shrines in Zongkhul Monastery. It houses some biographies of monks, treasured artifacts like crystal stupa, images of Samvara made of ivory and texts consisting of spiritual songs.

Kargil is a district of Ladakh region in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Kargil lies near the Line of Control facing Pakistani-Administered Gilgit–Baltistan to the west, and the mostly Indian-Administered Kashmir valley to the south. Zanskar is part of Kargil district along with Suru, Wakha and Drass valleys.

Geography
Kargil district is nestled in the Himalayas, giving it a cool, temperate climate. Summers are warm, while winters are long and cold with temperatures often dropping to -40 °C (-40 °F) with recorded temperatures of -60 °C (-76 °F) in the tiny town of Drass situated some 60 km from the Kargil town. The Zanskar plateau is even colder, making it thus a near-uninhabitable place for humans, except for the hardy Khampas. The entire Kargil district is spread over 14,086 km2 (5,439 sq mi). The Suru River flows through the district.

Drass is a town in the Kargil District.. It is often called 'The Gateway to Ladakh' It’s a beautiful valley surronded by the Himalayan ranges Like the famous Tiger Hill and Tololing ranges. The Dras valley starts from the base of the Zojila pass, the Himalayan gateway to Ladakh. When you will cross the Zojila Pass there is a natural gate on the top of Zojila Pass which is know as India Gate. You will feel like another world after going arround in the lush green filds and forest of Srinager. You will enjoy the beuty of Valleys and landscpaes when you enter in Ladakh region via Zojila pass and the India Gate The town shot into prominence in the summer of 1999 following Pakistani army incursionsin Kargil. The Kargil War saw the town being shelled by the Pakistani army and the war ended with the Indian Army recapturing the areas surrounding the town and the Kargil district.

Situated 45 kms East of Kargil on the road to Leh, Mulbek (3230 m) in an area dominated by the Buddhists. It is situated along either banks of the Wakha River, which originates. Many monuments of the early Buddhists era dot the landscape and are accessible from the road.

Mulbek Chamba : The chief attraction of Mulbek is a 9 m high rock sculpture in deep relief of Maitreya, the Future Buddha. Its excursion combines esoteric Shaivite symbolism with early Buddhist art. Situated right on the highway, it dates back to the period when Buddhists missionaries came travelling east of the Himalayas.

Another picturesque village of the Wakha River valley, Shergol is situated across the river, right of the Kargil-Leh road. The main attraction is a cave monastery which is visible from a far as a white speck against the vertically rising ochre hill from which it appears to hang out. Below this small monastery is a larger Buddhist nunnery with about a dozen incumbents. The village is accessible by the motorable road that branches off from the Kargil-Leh road, about 5 km short of Mulbek.

Shergol is a convenient base for an exciting 4-day trek across the mountain range into the Suru valley. It is also the approach base for visiting Urgyan-Dzong, a meditation retreat lying deep inside the mountains surrounding the Wakha River valley.

Urgyan Dzong :This meditation retreat lies tucked away in an amazing natural mountain fortress high up in Zanskar range. Concealed within is a circular table land with a small monastic establishment at its centre. The surrounding hillside reveals several caves where high-ranking Buddhists saints meditated in seclusion. At least one such cave is associated with the visit of Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Tibetan Buddhism. The main approach is to footpath laid through the only gap available in the rocky ramparts.

Zanskar Valley is one of the least visited spots in ladakh and this is mainly due to the distance and fact that roads here are dirt tracks for the most part. Most people like to take this excursion at the end of their trip while returning from Ladakh via Srinagar; however there are few who like to cover Zanskar first, while a smaller number do it in the middle of their trip. For more on how to reach Kargil, please read Srinagar – Leh route guide.

Kargil – Panikhar (Suru Valley) (68 kms):It is better to have your breakfast in Kargil itself and also to get the supplies, both for your vehicles and yourself from Kargil. Since there are no petrol pumps in Suru or Zanskar Valley so please ensure you have enough petrol/diesel to travel for 550kms.

From Kargil to Panikhar the roads are metalled and barring few freshly laid stretches, it’s full of potholes but easy to negotiate. First major town you will come across after leaving Kargil would be Sankoo, 42kms from Kargil. It is recommended to have your breakfast here if you haven’t already had it in Kargil, since the next major stop is Rangdum, 88kms from here.

Roads from Sankoo start improving as you enter Panikhar and you are greeted with lush green valley and snow covered mountains peaks and glaciers dotting the horizon. Panikhar is one of the most scenic places in Suru Valley and a photography stop here is highly recommended.

Panikhar – Rangdum (Suru Valley) (62 kms): As one leaves the town of Panikhar, road conditions start to deteriorate once again and the once metalled road becomes a dirt trail. From here onward it’s a dirt trail all the way to the outskirts of Padum.

Roughly 40 kms before the town of Rangdum is Parakachik, from here the vistas change dramatically and the real beauty of Suru Valley starts becoming apparent, to relish this beauty it is recommended to come here in late September or October since the grass at that time has shades of orange and that combined with the arid mountain backdrop makes it even more dramatic.