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Bardan monastery, Zanskar, India
Part of the original trek route to Phuktal, Bardan is a short distance ahead of Padum. Read full stories on Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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Villages of Zanskar valley
This is a typical landscape in Zanskar - brown barren mountains of the Greater Himalayas, white stone houses and patches of fields around the villages being the only greenery. We crossed this village on our way to the Phuktal monastery. Read full stories on Trek to Phuktal Monastery
ZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
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Cha village enroute Phuktal, Zanskar, India
Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. The green fields are a rare sign of civilisation in the sparsely populated interiors of this Zanskar valley. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
From Story photos
Bridge at Purne en route Phuktal, Zanskar, India
The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
ChaZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Bridge at Purne en route Phuktal, Zanskar, India
The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
From Story photos
Homemade liquor in Zanskar, India
Chang, made from fermented barley is the most famous drink in Zanskar. Arhak is a distilled form of Chang. The family where we spent the night en route Phuktal monastery, had Arhak making scheduled for the day. That evening we had some fresh homemade Arhak post dinner! Read full story on Trek to Phuktal Monastery
ChaZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Leaving Cha village for Phuktal monastery
It's a tiny village. No shop. No school. Be prepared to have only locally grown vegetables. (And some home brewed alcohol). We stayed here overnight on our way to Phuktal monastery. Read full story on Trek to Phuktal Monastery
ChaZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Leaving Cha village for Phuktal monastery
It's a tiny village. No shop. No school. Be prepared to have only locally grown vegetables. (And some home brewed alcohol). We stayed here overnight on our way to Phuktal monastery. Read full story on Trek to Phuktal Monastery
ChaZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Early morning in Cha en route Phuktal, Zanskar, India
While we prepared to leave our homestay in Cha early morning for the Phuktal monastery, this woman has already gathered her first basket of the day. Read full story on Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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From Story photos
Trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
From Story photos
First glimpse of Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters in the Phuktal valley, the sight of the Phuktal monastery was, more than anything, relieving! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
From Story photos
First glimpse of Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters in the Phuktal valley, the sight of the Phuktal monastery was, more than anything, relieving! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
PhuktalZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Phuktal monastery hidden in a cave, Zanskar, India
After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters in the Phuktal valley, the sight of the Phuktal monastery was, more than anything, relieving! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
From Story photos
Path leading to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Phuktal is the most remote monastery in the Zanskar valley. A compulsory walk of several hours leads to Phuktal. This man was getting his kids to visit the Phuktal monastery.
PhuktalZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Visit to Phuktal monastery in Zanskar, India
Phuktal is the most remote monastery in the Zanskar valley. A compulsory walk of several hours leads to Phuktal. Their father had got them to visit the Phuktal monastery.
PhuktalZanskarIndiaportraitsandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Visit to Phuktal monastery in Zanskar, India
Phuktal is the most remote monastery in the Zanskar valley. A compulsory walk of several hours leads to Phuktal. Their father had got them to visit the Phuktal monastery.
PhuktalZanskarIndiaportraitsandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Phuktal monastery, the most remote monastery in Zanskar
After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters in the Phuktal valley, the sight of the Phuktal monastery was, more than anything, relieving! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
From Story photos
Monks living in caves, Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery.
From Story photos
Young monks at Phuktal monastery, India
It was break time at the monastery for these youngsters. Their energy was un-missable. Take their maroon robes away, dress them up in clothes for “young adults” and they could pass off as school children in a playground.. Except, that, they WERE in their maroon robes, attended the monk school in the monastery, studied ancient scriptures and would go on to live their lives devoid of all worldly possessions! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
From Story photos
Young monks at Phuktal monastery, India
It was break time at the monastery for these youngsters. Their energy was un-missable. Take their maroon robes away, dress them up in clothes for “young adults” and they could pass off as school children in a playground.. Except, that, they WERE in their maroon robes, attended the monk school in the monastery, studied ancient scriptures and would go on to live their lives devoid of all worldly possessions! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
PhuktalZanskarIndiaportraitzanskar valleyLadakh
From Story photos
Young monks at Phuktal monastery, India
It was break time at the monastery for these youngsters. Their energy was un-missable. Take their maroon robes away, dress them up in clothes for “young adults” and they could pass off as school children in a playground.. Except, that, they WERE in their maroon robes, attended the monk school in the monastery, studied ancient scriptures and would go on to live their lives devoid of all worldly possessions! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
PhuktalZanskarIndiaportraitsandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Lunch time at Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. We reached the monastery at lunch time and this was the view for lunch! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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From Story photos
Lunch of the monks at Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
We reached the monastery at lunch time and had the same food as the monks. It was simple, mostly boiled, healthy food. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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From Story photos
Lunch time at Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Little boys training to be monks wait for lunch to be served at Phuktal monastery. Take their maroon robes away and they could pass off as kids in a playground. But unlike other kids, the to-be monks live their lives in isolation, studying ancient scriptures in the highly remote monastery. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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From Story photos
Lunch time at Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. We reached the monastery at lunch time and had lunch with the monks there. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
Phuktal monasteryPhuktalZanskarIndiaportraitzanskar valleyLadakh
From Story photos
Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters, we were finally at the Phuktal monastery - on a mountain top hidden in a cave. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
Back to PHOTO GALLERIESFrom Story photos
Trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
PhuktalZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Tibetan scriptures on rocks, Zanskar, India
These rocks are an important feature of Tibetan Buddhism. They are a work of art and reflect the colours of the mountains found in these regions. We found many of these around Phuktal monastery, the remotest monastery of Zanskar, hidden in a cave. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
PhuktalZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
PhuktalZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
PhuktalZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
From Story photos
At a house in Anmu en route Phuktal.
Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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From Story photos
At a house in Anmu en route Phuktal.
The cow dung cakes are left to dry for use as fuel in winter at a house in Anmu. Anmu is a village on the way to the Phuktal monastery just after the end of the motor-able road. While crossing through Anmu, a family invited us over for tea. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
AnmuZanskarIndiasandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
At a house in Anmu en route Phuktal.
Pretty plants like this one decorate the window sills of most houses in Zanskar. We saw this at a house in a village called Anmu. Anmu is a village on the way to the Phuktal monastery just after the end of the motor-able road. While crossing through Anmu, a family invited us over for tea. We had some tea, home made bread and the most amazing yogurt. Read more stories of such warm hospitality at Friendly families from our travels in Himalayas
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From Story photos
Kitchen of a house in Anmu en route Phuktal
Anmu is a village on the way to the Phuktal monastery just after the end of the motor-able road. While crossing through Anmu, a family invited us over for tea. We had some tea, home made bread and the most amazing yogurt. Read more stories of such warm hospitality at Friendly families from our travels in Himalayas
AnmuZanskarIndiakitchensandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Kitchen of a house in Anmu en route Phuktal
This device, part of every kitchen in Zanskar, is used to make the traditional yak butter tea. Anmu is a village on the way to the Phuktal monastery just after the end of the motor-able road. While crossing through Anmu, a family invited us over for tea. We had some tea, home made bread and the most amazing yogurt. Read more stories of such warm hospitality at Friendly families from our travels in Himalayas
AnmuZanskarIndiakitchensandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Family from Anmu village en route Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Anmu is a village on the way to the Phuktal monastery just after the end of the motor-able road. While crossing through Anmu, a family invited us over for tea. We had some tea, home made bread and the most amazing yogurt. Read more stories of such warm hospitality at Friendly families from our travels in Himalayas
AnmuZanskarIndiaportraitsandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Family from Anmu village en route Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Anmu is a village on the way to the Phuktal monastery just after the end of the motor-able road. While crossing through Anmu, a family invited us over for tea. We had some tea, home made bread and the most amazing yogurt. Read more stories of such warm hospitality at Friendly families from our travels in Himalayas
AnmuZanskarIndiaportraitsandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
End of the trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Read full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery, the most remote monastery in Zanskar on Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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From Story photos
End of the trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Work is on to make a motorable road to Phuktal. Parts of the trekking route are blasted to make way for the road. This makes it risky for the trekkers to cross some patches; but it is no big deal for the locals of Zanskar. Read full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery, the most remote monastery in Zanskar on Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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Landscape around Bardan Monastery, Zanskar, India
The Bardan monastery is now accessible by a motor-able road. Climbing a few steps on the top take you to inside this monastery. Read full stories on Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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Dinner at Padum, Zanskar, India
At Mont Blanc, our guest house in Padum, they made chapatis specially for their guests, though it is not a part of the traditional diet of Zanskar. Ceramic bowls like this one are a common feature across kitchens of the Zanskar valley.
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From Story photos
Landscapes en route Zanskar
Rangdum, Kargil, India
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From Story photos
Landscapes en route Zanskar
Rangdum, Kargil, India
RangdumSuru valleyZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanRangdomIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Volunteers from Europe on cycling their way to Zanskar
They were cycling from Kargil to Padum, a 250km gravel road, in Zanskar valley. In Zanskar, they were going to volunteer as teachers in a school they had helped build earlier.
RangdumSuru valleyZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanRangdomIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Volunteers from Europe on cycling their way to Zanskar
They were cycling from Kargil to Padum, a 250km gravel road, in Zanskar valley. In Zanskar, they were going to volunteer as teachers in a school they had helped build earlier.
RangdumSuru valleyZanskarIndiaportraitsandeepachetanRangdomIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Volunteers from Europe on cycling their way to Zanskar
These French cyclists were cycling from Kargil to Padum, a 250km gravel road, in Zanskar valley. In Zanskar, they were going to volunteer as teachers in a school they had helped build earlier.
Back to PHOTO GALLERIESRangdumSuru valleyZanskarIndiaportraitsandeepachetanRangdomIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Sunrise at Kargil, India
Kargil is the midway of the 420 km Srinagar-Leh highway, NH1-D. This highway connects Ladakh, a high altitude cold desert to the rest of India. Kargil, at an elevation of just over 2500 meters is a suggested night halt for altitude acclimatization. This is a sunrise at 5AM just out of Kargil on the way to Leh.From Story photos