The frozen-river kingdom
Zanskar is Ladakh's inner kingdom — a valley sealed by passes where the river cuts a copper-walled gorge and monasteries like Karsha and Phugtal cling to cliff faces. Summer brings rafting through the great canyon and the new Padum road; deep winter brings the legendary Chadar, walking the frozen river itself.
Plan my Zanskar Valley tripBig-water days through one of Asia's deepest gorges.
A honeycomb gompa built into a cave mouth above the Lungnak.
The frozen-river walk, for the well-prepared, in Jan–Feb.
Zanskar's capital plain ringed by glaciated giants.
June–September for road access and rafting; January–February only for Chadar specialists.
Leh → Khardung La → Pangong (day trips)
Leh → Alchi → Nubra → Pangong → Leh
Leh → Nubra → Leh → Pangong → Leh