The Zanskar river is formed near Padum where the Stod (Doda) river, fed by the Drang Drung glacier at Pensi La, meets the Lungnak (Tsarap) river from the south-east. It then flows north to join the Indus near Nimmu.
Source: Zanskar River
Valley in Ladakh
Zanskar (Padum)
Ladakh's remotest valley, reached over Pensi La
Zanskar is a high valley in Kargil district, centred on Padum at about 3,650 m. It is reached from Kargil over Pensi La (about 4,400 m), a 10–12 hour drive, and is cut off by snow for much of winter. Come June to September for Karsha, Phugtal and village life.
Photo: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. … · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsZanskar is the part of Ladakh that still feels far away. The road from Kargil climbs the Suru valley, crosses the Rangdum plain and goes over Pensi La beside the long white tongue of the Drang Drung glacier, before dropping into the Stod valley and down to Padum. That is a full day of rough road, and for much of winter the pass is closed by snow.
Padum, the main town, sits on a wide plain where two rivers meet: the Stod, which comes down from Pensi La, and the Lungnak, which flows from the south-east past Phugtal. Together they become the Zanskar river, which then cuts north through a deep gorge to meet the Indus near Nimmu. Villages are scattered across the plain and up the side valleys, each with its fields of barley and peas and its gompa on a ridge.
Most people in Zanskar are Buddhist, and the valley has some of the most striking monasteries in the Himalaya: Karsha climbing a cliff above Padum, Stongde on its ridge, and Phugtal built around a cave in a gorge a day's walk from the road end. Padum also has a Muslim community and a mosque. Come with time: three nights is a minimum, five is better, and Padum at 3,650 m needs the same respect for altitude as Leh.
Say it like a local · Hindi / Urdu, as used in LadakhChadar
a sheet or blanket; the name for the frozen Zanskar river walked in winter
What to do in Zanskar (Padum)
Karsha Monastery above Padum
Across the Stod river from Padum, Karsha's white buildings climb a steep cliff. It is the largest monastery in Zanskar and belongs to the Gelug school. Go in the morning, climb slowly, and look back over the whole Padum plain from the top.
Phugtal, the cave monastery
In the Lungnak gorge, Phugtal is built around a natural cave high on a cliff, its cells stacked like a honeycomb below the opening. It is reached by a walk of several hours from the road end, so plan a long day or a night nearby.
Pensi La and Drang Drung glacier
At the top of Pensi La, about 4,400 m, the Drang Drung glacier sweeps down from the peaks in a long curve of ice and moraine. It feeds the Stod river. Stop at the viewpoint on the Zanskar side for the clearest view.
Rangdum's monastery on a hillock
Halfway from Kargil, the Rangdum gompa sits alone on a small hill in a wide, cold plain, with peaks and glaciers around it. Few places in Ladakh feel as empty. It is the natural night halt on the way in.
Stongde and Zangla
South-east of Padum, Stongde's monastery sits on a ridge above its village, and further on, Zangla has an old royal palace ruin and a nunnery. A day by car takes in both, with long views up the Zanskar gorge.
The Chadar in winter
In January and February, when roads are closed, the frozen Zanskar river becomes a route walked by local people and organised trekking groups. It is a serious, very cold trek on ice; go only with an experienced registered operator.
Field notes
What most guides miss about Zanskar (Padum)
Phugtal Monastery in the Lungnak valley is built around a natural cave on a cliff face, with monks' cells and temples stacked below the cave opening; until recently it could be reached only on foot.
Source: Phugtal Monastery
In winter, when snow closes the passes, the frozen surface of the Zanskar river, called the Chadar, has long served as a walking route between Zanskar and the Indus valley.
Source: Chadar trek
Experiences
Three days worth having in Zanskar (Padum)
Photo: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. … · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Zanskar (Padum) · 3 hours
Karsha Monastery and the Padum plain
Cross the Stod river from Padum to Karsha, the largest monastery in Zanskar, whose white buildings climb a steep cliff.…
Entry or donation ₹50–100; taxi ₹1,000–1,500 return
Photo: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. … · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Zanskar (Padum) · Full day or 2 days
Walk to Phugtal, the cave monastery
Drive from Padum up the Lungnak valley to the road end, then walk along the gorge to Phugtal, a monastery built around …
Donation ₹100–200; taxi to road end ₹4,000–6,000; guide ₹2,000–…
Photo: Malikbek · CC BY 3.0 · Commons
Zanskar (Padum) · 2–3 hours on the drive
Pensi La and the Drang Drung glacier
The pass between the Suru valley and Zanskar, at about 4,400 m, looks straight onto the Drang Drung glacier, a long cur…
Free; part of the Kargil–Padum drive
Real prices
What things cost in Zanskar (Padum)
ItemIndicative 2026
Taxi Kargil–Padum one way₹12,000–16,000 a car
Bus Kargil–Padum₹700–1,000 one way, when running
Guesthouse room in Padum with meals₹1,500–3,000 per person
Monastery entry or donation₹50–100
Local taxi day to Karsha, Stongde and Zangla₹4,000–5,500 a car
Pony with handler for the Phugtal walk₹1,000–1,500 a day
Local prices change with season and fuel costs. Check current status before you travel.
Getting there
How to reach Zanskar (Padum)
Air
There are no regular flights. Fly to Leh, rest at least two nights, then drive via Kargil, or arrive by road from Srinagar.
Bus
A bus runs between Kargil and Padum a few times a week in summer, taking a full day; shared taxis also run when there is demand. Schedules change often, so check current status before you travel.
Road
From Kargil ≈ 235 km · 10–12 h via the Suru valley, Rangdum and Pensi La. A newer road from Darcha in Lahaul over Shinku La has opened to vehicles in recent seasons, and a road from Nimmu along the Zanskar gorge is being built. Conditions vary; check current status before you travel.
Where to stay
Sleeping in Zanskar (Padum)
Saver: Padum has family guesthouses and small hotels at ₹1,500–3,000 per person with dinner and breakfast, and villages such as Karsha and Pipiting have homestays; bathrooms are often shared and power is limited. Comfort: a few hotels in Padum have attached bathrooms and hot water, and some camps open in high summer, at ₹3,000–6,000 a double. Signature: there is no luxury hotel in Zanskar; we choose the best rooms available, add a private guide and driver, and plan generous rest time.
Trips that stop here
See Zanskar (Padum) on a trip
Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Comfort
Ladakh · 10 nights · sleeps to 3,650 m
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Leh to Zanskar and out to Srinagar by car
Private SUV with driver; local car in Padum where required
From, per person₹98,000Jul – Sep
Questions
Zanskar (Padum), answered
How do I reach Zanskar?
Most people drive from Kargil, about 235 km and 10–12 hours via the Suru valley, Rangdum and Pensi La, often with a night at Rangdum. A newer road from Darcha in Lahaul over Shinku La has opened in recent seasons, and a road from Nimmu is under construction. Check current status before you travel.
What is the best time to visit Zanskar?
July to September is best, when Pensi La is reliably open, villages are farming and the walk to Phugtal is easy. June can still have snow on the pass. From November to May the valley is mostly cut off by road; January and February are the season for the Chadar trek.
Do I need a permit for Zanskar?
No. Indians and foreign nationals do not need an Inner Line Permit or Protected Area Permit for Padum, Karsha, Phugtal or the Kargil–Padum road. Carry photo ID and copies for checkposts. Rules change, so check current status before you travel.
How many days do I need in Zanskar?
Plan at least three nights in Padum, plus a night at Rangdum each way if driving from Kargil. That gives you Karsha, Stongde and Zangla, and a day for Phugtal. Including travel from Leh, a Zanskar trip is usually 9–12 nights.
Is there mobile network and internet in Zanskar?
Coverage is limited. BSNL and some postpaid networks work in Padum, but data is slow and unreliable, and most villages have no signal. Tell family you may be out of contact for several days, and download maps and documents in advance.
Is there an ATM in Padum?
Padum has an ATM, but it is not always working or stocked. Carry enough cash from Leh or Kargil for rooms, food, taxis and donations for your whole stay. Card payments are rarely accepted outside a few hotels.
How cold is Zanskar?
In summer, days in Padum reach about 20–25 °C and nights fall to 5 °C or lower, with frost possible on Pensi La. Winter is extreme: −20 °C and below is common, and the region is cut off by road. Pack warm layers whatever the month.
Is Zanskar suitable for families and seniors?
Yes, for those comfortable with long, rough drives and simple rooms. Break the journey at Rangdum, keep days short and skip the Phugtal walk if mobility is limited. Padum is at about 3,650 m, so build in acclimatisation and talk to your doctor before travel.
What is the Chadar trek?
The Chadar trek follows the frozen Zanskar river in January and February, walking on ice and camping in caves and on riverbanks at −15 to −25 °C. It needs registration, medical checks and insurance as required by Ladakh authorities, and an experienced operator. Check current status before you travel.