Briefing

Zanskar – Zangskar is the ancient kingdom in UT Ladakh and also one of the oldest Sub-division from the colonial era. Zangs means= white Copper, Kar mean = white. Also known as white coper.

Zanskar or Zangkar, ( white copper) covers an area of some 7,000 square kilometres (2,700 sq mi), at an elevation of 3,500-7,135 metres (11,500–23,409 feet). It consists of the country lying along the two main branches of the Zanskar River. The first, the Doda River, has its source near the Penzi La 4,400 metres (14,400 ft) mountain-pass, and then flows south-eastwards along the main valley leading towards Padum, the capital of Zanskar.
The second branch is formed by two main tributaries known as Lakhang chu (also known as Kurgiakh river), with its source near the Shinku La 5,091 metres (16,703 ft), and Tsarap River, with its source near the Baralacha-La and Lingti Chu. These two rivers unite below the village of Purney to form the Lungnak river (also known as the Lingti or Tsarap river). The Lungnak river then flows north-westwards along a narrow gorge towards Zanskar's central valley (known locally as jung-khor), where it unites with the Doda river to form the Zanskar river.
One of the first Tibetologists to spend an extended period in the region was Hungarian scholar Sándor Csoma de Kőrös who spent over a year living in the Zanskar region in 1823. He spent two year at Phuktal Gonpa from 1824-26. Also spent few years at Zangla.

Two small, turquoise, high altitude lakes with camping sites, and views of the surrounding permafrost mountains are the highlights of the Penzi La pass, which is 160 Km from Kargil and at an altitude of 4,401 to 4,450 meters, the highest point on the Kargil – Zanskar road. This pass is more of a table land and, unlike the Zojila, has plenty of flat spaces and things to see, the Drang-Drung, for instance. Kishtwar is behind the mountains of the right.
Zanskar being half way through the pass, some 35 km, after Rangdum. It is spread over more than 5,000 Sq.Km. Zanskar remains cut off from the rest of the world for more than eight months a year due to blockade of the Penzi La. Besides there are no air service. Today Zanskar is one of the least interfered with microcosms of Ladakh and one of the last surviving cultural settlers of Tibet. Put simply, systems such as polyandry, which are more or less extinct in Leh town and in the more advanced villages of Leh district, still survive in some pockets of Zanskar. In 1999 around a quarter of Zanskar still practiced polyandry. By then several shops and spring up in Padum and you could actually by things with money
Sani Gonpa:- 7kms before reaching Padum this castle like monastery which unlike other monasteries of Ladakh, is built on level ground. According to a legend its origin is associated with Kanishka ( Kushan ruler of 2nd century AD), on account of the Kanishka Stupa, which stands in the backyard of the walled complex.
Karsha Gompa:- 9 kms from Padum this is the largest monastic establishment in Zanskar. The complex of white washed structures are imposing and can be seen from Padum. This complex houses 150 monks, eight temples, two assembly halls, valuable icons, artifacts, scrolls and thankas. The monastery was founded during th 14th century.
Stongde Monastery:- 18 kms from Padum the monestry is perched atop a hillock overlooking the village. This monastery is associated with the famous Tibetan Yogi Marpa who is said to have founded it and is also known as Marpa Ling.
Burdan Monastery:- 12kms from Padum in the Lungnak valley is an isolated monastery perched atop a rock rising vertically from the river, The monastery holds prominent position among the Drogpa order monasteries of Zanskar. It was founded by Deba Gyatso during early 17th century. But it is famous as the seat of Lama Barapa.
Phugtal Gompa:- This is one of the superb cave monastry of Zanskar and is picturesquely situated in Lungnak valley. It was founded by Phagspa Sherab Zangpo by 2nd half of the 11thcentury.
Zangkul Gompa:- The meditation retreat of famous Indian yogi Naropa (10th century AD) Zankul is situated in a side valley near Ating village and falls inroute Padum – Kishtiwar trek.
Drangdurung Glacier,
The average elevation of 4,780 meters (15,680 ft). The glacier is a long river of ice and snow that stretches for 23 kilometers (14 miles).
Explanation
The Drang-Drung Glacier is located in the Zanskar Range of the Himalayan Mountains.
It's the second largest glacier in Ladakh, after the Siachen Glacier.
The glacier is the source of the Stod River, which is a tributary of the Zanskar River.
The glacier is close to the Pensi La mountain pass, which is part of the Kargil-Zanskar Road.
The glacier is a popular destination for tourists visiting Leh Ladakh.
The best time to visit the glacier is between July and August.
Gonbo Rangjon ( Holy Mount )
"Gonbo Rangjon is a stand-alone lofty rocky precipice located south of Kargyak village in the Lungnak valley, Zanskar, in the Union Territory of Ladakh in India. It is considered to be holy and referred to as God's Mountain by the local inhabitants who practice Tibetan Buddhism.[1] Gonbo Rangjon lies along the Darcha – Padum trek route and the Darcha – Padum road. Gonbo Rangjon can be seen from the village of Kargyak which is about 16 km (9.9 mi) to the north. The peak is at 5,520 m (18,110 ft) and the base of the mountain is about 4,500 m . Height of the Holy Mount is 5520 Mt ( 18121 ft )
Icher metria Bhudha Statue. Gyalwa Chamba, 106 feet height on roof top of Icher village in Lungnak Tsarap valley.
Sheela Water fall ; 4-5 killometer from head quarter of Padum city.

How to Reach:

1.By Air
The nearest Airport is Leh Kushok Bakula Airport 220 Km from Zanskar.

2. By Train
Nearest Railway Railway Station is Srinagar, 4420 KM from zanskar .

3.By Road
From Zanskar to leh Ladakh. 220 KM also near from padum manali Via Shingkurl pass.