Zanskar, a remote valley that lies in the newly formed Union Territory of Ladakh is an arid cold desert with deep gorges and glaciers. Wild and desolate, its landscape abounds with rivers meandering through deep ravines, narrow trails running through the multi-hued mountains lined by tall sand structures, formed as a result of wind erosion and towering snow covered peaks defining the skyline.
Located in the Trans Himalayan Ranges, Zanskar has plenty of copper deposits and therefore is popularly known as the ‘Valley of Copper’ for Zang means copper in the Tibetan language.
Lying South of the Indus valley and north of the Great Himalayan Range, Zanskar is bordered by the drainage basins of the Stod, Zanskar, Lungnak, Tsarap and Kurgyak.
This region was consecrated by the presence of Naropa, the Buddhist Mahasiddha who meditated and blessed the land. Zanskar is famous for its many monasteries, built in the 11th Century by Ringchen Dzangpo, the great translator.
It is known as Chosyul or the ‘Country of Religions’ because of the presence of several monasteries like Stong De, Phuktal, Zangla, Rangdum, Karsha and Lingshed. This ‘Shangri La’ is a repository where the simple mountain folk live together in peace and amity.
While travelling from Manali to Zanskar one has to cross over the Rohtang Pass to Palamo in Lahul. The trek along the rivers of Barai Nala, Ramjak peak and Chuminakpo (Black spring) leads to the vast, windy, expansive snowfields of the Shingo La that lie at 16,000ft. The entire trekking path is replete with boulders, slippery slopes, steep inclines and knee-deep snow.
The landmark that rises majestically in the Kurgiak Valley of Zanskar is the Gumburanjon. This mammoth granite rock is revered as a monastery. The Zanskaris believe that at every Tibetan New Year celebration, a devout few can hear the low beat of the drums and see the flickering of little lamps on this monolith.
The Penzi La at 14,402 ft. is the ‘Gateway to Zanskar’ while coming from Kargil through Suru Valley and is the only motorable mountain trail that is open for four months in a year. For eight months, it is snowbound and in peak winter, the frozen Zanskar river gorge, popularly known as the ‘Chadar’ is the sole commutable route.
Padum, Zanskar’s headquarters is a charming village surrounded by mountains. Marmots, Kiangs, Tibetan wolf, bear, alpine ibex, snow leopard, Bharal, Red fox and other forms of wildlife roam around in this area.
