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Travel
Zanskar
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Zanskar
Valley :
About 20 kms south-east of Rangdum stands the
Panzila axis, across which lies Zanskar valley,
the most isolated of all the trans-Himalayan
valleys.
The Penzila pass (4,401m) is a picturesque tableland surrounded by
snow-covered peaks.As the Zanskar road winds
down the steep slopes of Penzila to the
head of the Stod valley, the majestic " Drang-Drung" glacier
looms into full view. A long and winding river of ice and snow, "Drang-Drung" is
perhaps the largest glacier in Ladakh, outside the Siachen formation.
It is from the cliff-like snout of this extensive glacier that the
Stod or Doda tributary of the Zanskar River rises.
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| Zanskar
is a tri-armed valley system situated between the Great
Himalayan Range
and the Zanskar mountains, the three arms radiating star-like
towards the west, north and south from a wide central
expanse. Here the Zanskar River comes into being by the
confluence
of its two Himalayan tributaries, the Stod/Doda and the
Lingti-Tsarap Rivers. It is mainly along the course
of this valley system that the region’s approximately
14,000 strong, mainly Buddhist population, live. Spread
over an estimated geographical area of 5000 sq. kms.
High rise, mountains and deep gorges surround Zanskar.
The area
remains inaccessible for nearly 8 months a year due to
heavy snowfall resulting in closure of all the access
passes, including the Penzi-la. To-day, Zanskar has the
distinction
of being the least interfered with microcosms of Ladakh,
and one of the last few surviving cultural satellites
of Tibet |
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| Zanskar-Adventure
Sports |
River
Rafting :
River rafting probably is the most indulged activity in Zanskar
travel. The rafting is done in the highly challenging Zanskar River.
The rafting experience takes you through one of the most breathtaking
gorges of the World. The water in the river is freezing cold and
it is advisable that you take this ride only with a wet suit on.
This exhilarating adventure through the entire river takes around
four days and in between, you will spend the nights in camps set
up on the rocky banks itself.
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Chadar
Ice Trek- Frozen zanskar river Trek:
Apart from river rafting, trekking also attracts huge number of
adventure lovers to these lands. Zanskar has few of the highest
mountain passes in the country. The trek routes through them are
surely enthralling but trekking here requires ability to take immense
physical strain. The most famous trek route is named Chadar Ice
Trek. The trek is carried out on the frozen zanskar river during
the winter season. You will have to take extra precautions and
clothing as you will be literally walking over ice. Other breathtaking
treks are Padam to Lamayuru which takes around 12-16 days and Padam
to Leh which is 15-17 day long trek.
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