Things To Do In Zanskar Valley
Overview
Zanskar, a sought-after valley of Ladakh region, offers endless activities. People from all over the world come here for various adventures. Be it trekking, river rafting or paragliding, there are various spots in every corner of the valley for such sports. The trekking and hiking trails offer memorable joinery into the wilderness and you are transported to another world.
While these are some popular options for adventure buffs, those looking for exploration and sightseeing are in for a treat here. Visit monasteries and local villages to discover the rich culture and history of the valley. As you interact with the Lamas at the Gompas and locals at the villages, you have an informative experience there. The inhabitants of different regions of the valley are extremely warm and friendly.
While some activities are accessible throughout the year like trekking and sightseeing, visit Zanskar in summer for water based activities like rafting and boating. With Cliffhangers India, tick off a trip to Zanskar Valley off your bucket list. The team helps you in every way possible. Here’s a guide on things to do in Zanskar Valley. Take a look!
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01. River Rafting
River rafting is one of the top things to do in Zanskar Valley. The experience is top-notch. The popular spot is at the Zanskar river itself. Large stretches from Phey to Nimo or Nimo to Upshi are famous.
Both beginners and advanced rafters are more than welcome since grade III to grade V of the activity are available options. It generally lasts for 2 hours and will cost you around INR 2500 per head.
Make sure to put on comfortable clothes according to the weather and wear your safety gears as well. To have a safe experience, listen to the instructions of the guide.
02. Trekking
Zanskar Valley offers some of the most adventurous trekking expeditions of Ladakh. The most famous one being the Chadar trek, undertaken in January and February.
Trekkers get a chance to walk on the frozen Zanskar river. While it is a winter trek, there are some trek options for summer as well.Popular ones include the Zanskar Valley trek, which lasts for about 10 days. A rather shorter yet immensely breathtaking trail stretches from Padum to Lamayuru.
It is completed in about 6 days. In Zanskar Valley, hikes and treks are generally of difficult gradient and you need good physical fitness for a safe journey. Make sure to carry trekking and camping gear like tent, sleeping bag, trekking pole, etc.
03. Paragliding
To get a unique opportunity to witness the aerial view of Zanskar Valley is possible through paragliding. As you glide through the landscape of the valley, you get the bird’s eye view of monasteries, lakes, mountains, villages, etc.
An unforgettable experience awaits you with a perfect blend of adventure and serenity. The time period during sunrise and sunset are considered ideal.
Make sure to book around the time when a pallet of colours engulf the entire valley. Throughout the activity, instructors accompany you and you are in safe hands. Summer and autumn is the best time for paragliding in Zanskar Valley.
04. Ice-Climbing
In winters, due to freezing temperature levels, the waterfalls freeze and snow walls are formed. Climbing these frozen waterfalls and snow walls is one of the top things to do in Zanskar Valley.
These hotspots for climbing are found near the Zanskar river. It is even included in the sought-after Chadar trek.
You need ice axes, crampons and ropes for the uphill climbing. While the activity surely demands resilience, it is surely an unforgettable experience. You are under the guidance of experts and professionals, offering you essential gears and assurance of safety.
05. Motor-Biking
The alpine passes located in Zanskar Valley offer perfect routes and road conditions for motorbiking. Through these rides, you get to explore the monasteries of the valley, located along the highways. Those include Stongdey and Sani. Visit the villages here and get an insight about their rich heritage and culture from the locals.
Ladakh bike trips are often done in large groups for the support and assistance. Bikes like Royal Enfield are considered suitable to ride on the uneven and rough roads of Zanskar Valley.
To avoid Acute Mountain Sickness, acclimatise properly before visiting the biking. Remain updated about road conditions through online websites to avoid traffic and unnecessary delay.
06. Cultural Village Tours
Zanskar Valley is home to a number of villages. The inhabitants are so warm and welcoming, in spite of surviving harsh climatic conditions. Through these village tours, dive deep into the unique traditions and rich heritage of Ladakh.
In these villages, participate in the local events, festivals and have a cultural immersion. You can witness the creation of authentic dishes of Ladakhi cuisine and even taste them.
Small local monasteries are located in and around these villages. Plan a sightseeing tour there too. Homestays are available at these remote villages and they are generally the only option available as well. They are quite budget-friendly and comfortable.
07. Camping
Camping is an activity that is an additional benefit of trekking. To spend the night in the meadows or by shores of water streams, camping is the accessible option.
While trekking and camping go together, you can only camp under the star studded sky on the beaches of Zanskar River. Bone fire and the pollution free ambience at night are characteristics of camping in Zanskar.
Along with camping, you can enjoy fishing, local exploration, and short hikes. Pick a safe region for a pleasant experience. Since you won’t find any restaurants or eateries there, bring ingredients and cook for yourself. It is one of the best things to do in Zanskar Valley.
08. Yoga & Meditation Retreat
Zanskar Valley lies in the Upper Himalayas and the serene and pollution free ambiance offers the perfect opportunity for introspection.
With the help of Yoga and Meditation retreat, you practice the art of Asanas, Pranayam, and Dhayan. The surrounding of such retreats contains water streams following nearby, vibrant wildflowers blooming in the meadows with mountains in the backdrop.
The beauty you witness around while performing Yoga and being in the meditative state is unparalleled. Here, at the retreats, visitors are offered delicious and nutritious Ladakhi cuisine in different meals. Do visit Zanskar for self-discovery through the power of Yogasan and Meditation.
09. Attend Monastery Festivals
The monasteries located in Zanskar Valley celebrate various festivals at different times of the year. Starting with the Stongdey Gustor Festival, held at Stongdey Monastery, celebrated on the 28th and 29th day of the 11th month of the Tibetan Lunar calendar.
Gustor festival is also hosted at Karsha Monastery as well, the largest Monastery of Zanskar. The unique attraction of this festival is the future prediction done by laymen who have undergone spiritual purification.
Festivals are celebrated at Phugtal Monastery too. As you attend these events and festivities, you get to witness the local Cham dance or Mask dance, performed by the Lamas and many other cultural events.
10. Photography
Every nook and corner of Zanskar Valley seems like a well-painted scenery on a canvas. The meadows along the water streams with cattles grazing nearby seems like a scene out of a movie.
To capture these stunning scenic sights, visit Zanskar Valley. If you are someone who is into nature photography, Zanskar should be your next destination.
While every season has its own unique charm, autumn is the most beautiful time of the year. For those instagrammable pictures, bring a premium camera, lenses and a tripod. You can even ask locals and villagers for their portraits.
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