Zanskar valley | 56 Photos
Landscapes en route Zanskar
The hamlet of Rangdum brings with it some signs of life. These are the Himalayan horses walking on the banks of the Suru river. Randum is the southernmost tip of the Suru valley, the valley that separates Kargil from Zanskar, the most remote valley in India.
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Technology in the middle of nowhere at Rangdum en route Zanskar
Even the remote Rangdum midway between Zanskar and Kargil is now touched by technology.
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Typical houses in higher Himalayas
This is a typical stone houses found in the Zanskar and Ladakh regions. Built with flat stones stacked on top of each other, they are then coated with a layer which is a mixture of local mud, cattle dung and other things.
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A guest house in Rangdum en route Zanskar
Rangdum is midway between Kargil and Padum, the headquarters of Zanskar valley. Travelers often halt for the night at Rangdum on their way to Zanskar. Some houses operate homestays and guest houses for these travelers.
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Landscapes en route Zanskar
Rangdum is midway on the 250km route from Kargil to Padum, headquarter of the remote Zanskar valley. A convenient halt on this long route, it is a tiny hamlet of ten houses and a couple of food stalls and guesthouses. Its geographic location makes it, essentially, the definition of "in the middle of nowhere".
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On the Penzi la en route Zanskar
Our truck trudges through Penzi la, the only pass on the only motor-able road that connects Zanskar valley to the rest of India. Read more about Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas.
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Drang Drung glacier on Penzila enroute Zanskar, India
We saw the Drang Drung glacier after crossing the highest point at 4200 meters, of Penzi la, the only mountain pass en route Zanskar. It was an enormous glacier, melting in full flow at the peak of summer. Read more about Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas.
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Girls having some fun, Sani, Zanskar valley, India
Joys of a simple life; these girls are trying to run away from another one (with the back to the camera) splashing water on them. This is in a small village called Sani in the Zanskar valley. Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
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Ongoing prayers to God, Zanskar, India
Religion and prayers, as a way of life, was unmissable. Prayer beads and Mani wheels were ubiquitous. Living in the midst of such harsh nature, it was not really surprising! Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
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Homestay at Sani, Zanskar valley, India
This was our homestay in Sani. It was the house of the only shopkeeper in the entire Sani village. She was the daughter of the house and in charge of the kitchen responsibilities. She even gave us some impromptu cooking lessons. Read more on Simple life of Sani.
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Sani, Zanskar valley, India
Religion and prayers, as a way of life, was unmissable. Prayer beads and Mani wheels were ubiquitous. Living in the midst of such harsh nature, it was not really surprising! Read more on Simple life of Sani.
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Happy faces at Sani, Zanskar, India
Walking around Sani, we sensed a relaxed pace of life, like never before. Life was as basic as it gets and the inhabitants mingled together as one big family. Read more on Simple life of Sani.
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View from a hillock in Padum, Zanskar, India
The bridge over the river leads to the village of Stongdey. It also connects Padum with the only petrol pump in the entire Zanskar valley.
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A signboard in Zanskar put up by BRO, Border Roads Organisation
This board is bang opposite a petrol pump (gas station). A single hand cranked fuel dispenser is operated by a lone employee there. This petrol pump caters to the fueling needs of around 14000 people - the population of the entire Zanskar valley! Which makes this solitary pump the one and only means for the people of Zanskar to be connected to the world beyond their valley.
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Barley fields in Padum, Zanskar, India
Barley is the main crop in the cold valley of Zanskar, which sees snow cover for nearly six months. It was the peak of summer and the barley was ready for harvest!
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Barley fields in Padum, Zanskar, India
Barley is the main crop in the cold valley of Zanskar, which sees snow cover for nearly six months. This was the peak of summer and the barley was ready for harvest.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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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
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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
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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
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
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
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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
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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
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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