Shyok River
Overview
Shyok River, popularly known as the “River of Death” is a popular attraction of North Ladakh. The name “Shyok” is of Balti language which means “river of death”.
The river finds Its origin from the Simo Glacier of the Karakoram range. The river covers a long course in Ladakh, continuing to the Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan where it joins The Indus River near Skardu.
Even though it meanders through the rugged and challenging terrain and deep gorges, the flow of the river is constant.
The total length of the river is 550 kilometres. The Shyok River is a lifeline for the limited populated region it covers, providing water for irrigation and supporting limited vegetation and wildlife.
As you visit the Shyok river, you are greeted with some of the most beautiful scenic views of the blue water and towering mountains in the background.
The best time to visit here is from May to September. Other than the lake, there are many other attractions that lie nearby such as Turtuk, Shyok monastery, Diskit and Hunder.
Plan a holistic trip to Shyok River with Cliffhangers India, offering you a guided tour.
Highlights
Historical importance: The Ladakh Shyok River holds great historical significance since it connected Indian and various Asian countries via the popular silk route. In present time, it is more strategically important as the DS-DBO Road (Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi Road) follows its course.
Proximity to popular attractions: Many popular tourist spots of Ladakh fall close to Shyok river such as Nubra Valley, Siachen Glacier, Sylok Monastery, etc.
Beautiful landscape and tourism: The river attracts lots of tourists as they plan a Ladakh trip. The stunning landscape of the river is a visual treat. Here, you can spend some time admiring its raw beauty and soak in the tranquility.
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Best Time to Visit
An ideal time to visit Shyok river is in the summer season, lasting from May to September. Average temperature ranges between 20°C to 30°C.
During this time of the year, the weather is pleasant and comfortable for sightseeing as well as adventurous activities like Jeep Safari. ,
The routes leading to the Shyok Valley are open and accessible. Tourists can easily plan road trips.
The views of the river and surrounding are crystal clear and mesmerizing. In months like July and August, which is generally considered the rainy season, the water level of the river abruptly rises.
While light rainfall is experienced in the valley, it is advised to remain at a safe distance from the shores.
The autumn season, September and October, is one of the best times for a visit to the river Shyok. The weather is still moderate.
It’s neither too warm nor too cold. The hues of the season, enveloping the surface of rivers and mountains in the background, offer perfect photographic opportunities.
Avoid making plans to the beautiful destination, that is Shyok river, in winter since extreme cold conditions prevail and heavy snowfall results in temporary closure of the passes and roads.
Tourist Attractions Near Shyok River
Diskit Village
The first village that is near the Shyok Valley is Diskit. The main attraction here is the Buddhist Diskit Monastery.
It is located in the Nubra, sitting on a tophill, overlooking the valley. Home to the 32 feet high statue of Maitreya Buddha, tourists often spend some time exploring and sightseeing.
The statue is visible from several kilometres away. It is an active monastery, belonging to the Gelugpa sect.
The Dosmoche festival celebrated at the Gompa attracts locals and visitors alike.
Come here to get a deeper insight into the traditions and culture of Buddhism and Ladakh.
Hunder
Hunder is a famous village of Nubra Valley, and a popular attraction in proximity to Shyok river.
Hunder is popular as home to the double-humped camels.
The camel safari here is the most popular activity to do.
Starting from the Hunder village itself, the ride takes you to the snow deserts of the valley and finally concludes at the Diskit Monastery.
Other than camel safari and ATV rides, you can camp under the star-lit skies of the village and light bonfire.
Turtuk
Turtuk is the last village of India. An interesting fact about this gorgeous village is that it wasn’t part of India till 1971 and was under Pakistan.
From 2011, Government permitted tourism in the village and since then various nature lovers visit here to admire the beauty of sprawled paddy fields and gushing waterfalls.
Here, you can visit the Turtuk Royal Museum, Turtuk Monastery and mosque.
From Hunder, it is only 85 kilometres away and takes less than 2 hours to reach.
It is located near the India-Pakistan border and is a perfect place for border tourism.
Shyok Monastery
Shyok Monastery, located in the Shyok Valley of Ladakh, India, is known for its rich heritage and spiritual significance.
Situated at an elevation of approximately 3,500 meters, it overlooks the Shyok River, a tributary of the Indus.
The monastery, also called Shyok Gompa, is a hub for Mahayana Buddhism and features traditional Ladakhi architecture with intricate murals and ancient scriptures.
It serves as a meditation and learning center for monks and visiting devotees.
Surrounded by the stunning backdrop of the Karakoram Range, the monastery attracts travelers seeking tranquility and insights into Ladakh’s cultural and religious traditions.
Why is Shyok Called the River of Death?
Shyok is popularly known as the River of Death. In Ladakhi language, the word Shyok means “death” or “river of death”.
There are a few reasons why it is named and called so. The river flows parallel to one of the coldest places on earth, Siachen Glacier. Throughout the year, it remains steady and rather dry, but as soon as the summer season begins, the water level rises to extremes due to glacial melt. It spares nothing and sweeps away everything in sight.
Due to its proximity to the magnificent glacier, the area around the river experiences a chilly climate during winter, occasional landslides in the rainy season and rather uncertain weather during the rest of the year.
Now coming to the historical context, the river was a major part of the Silk Route with traders and merchants travelling alongside the shores and via nearby terrain.
Due to such treacherous water flow and unpredictable climatic conditions, most of them succumbed to death and only a few of them survived against all the odds.
Fragments of bones and human skeleton structures could still be traced on the banks of the rivers. They were not only of human beings but of animals like horses as well.
FAQ's
What is the Shyok river famous for?
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hich river flows through Nubra Valley?
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