Zanskar Valley!!! In fact, the entire valley is a tourist attraction in itself. You can easily spend a few days here exploring the region and will still not be done with all. It is a place where you get to see nature in all its colours and trust me, every colour is a sight to behold.I once somewhere read that sometimes the least known or lesser-visited places turn out to be the most beautiful ones. When it comes to Zanskar valley, this quote stands quite accurate. It is one of the remotest areas of our country but at the same time, is one of the most beautiful ones.Visit Zanskar and its memories will last with you for a lifetime. It is a place standing still in time, offering peace and tranquillity that is hard to experience elsewhere.Please note that in this article, I will talk in detail about sightseeing in Zanskar Valley.

Considered to be the oldest religious site in the whole region of Ladakh and Zanskar, this monastery is located at a distance of 6 kilometers from Padum in the village of Sani. It is said to be founded by the famous Kushan emperor, Kanishka. Such a place to relieve your stress. Aesthetic lovers love this place to visit as it revitalises your soul and body. Just visit for sure. A great place for religious people.
 
Traveller Information:
<ul>
 <li>Famous for: Religious feeling, nature and ambience</li>
 <li>Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year</li>
 <li>Duration: 45min</li>
</ul>

Zanskar Valley is eternally famous for its high snow capped mountains and surrounding landscape, featuring geographical attributes that are unique to this region. Reaching this place will introduce you to sparkling clean river waters and a pleasant climate that makes it worth exploring. Located 105 km from Leh, Zanskar Valley has earned fame among adventure enthusiasts. With a host of activities that can be tried out at the valley, it has become one of the most popular holiday hotspots for those travelling to the Himalayas.Most visitors to Zanskar Valley plan a trip for 2 - 3 days. Surprisingly, it isn’t difficult to find accomodation in this remote region of the Himalayas all round the year. Such a place offering so much enduring beauty and mesmerising view which definitely blows you and your mind away. A must visit for everyone for sure, it will fill your heart and an amazing treat to your eyes too!!!

Contrary to common belief, your entire journey from Kargil to Padum is not through Zanskar valley. Half of the journey, from Kargil to Rangdum, is actually Suru valley and it is after Rangum that Zanskar valley starts.You will be surprised by the lush green you will witness in Suru which is in complete contrast with the neighbouring Zanskar, a barren cold desert. The valley is spectacularly beautiful but surprisingly doesn’t receive much attention as most of the people just pass through rushing towards Padum.
 
Traveller Information:
<ul>
 <li>Famous for: Scenic beauty, nature and amazing weather</li>
 <li>Best Time to Visit: June to September</li>
 <li>Duration: 1day</li>
</ul>

It is a 14 km long glacier in Suru valley which gives rise to the peaks of Nun and Kun and also provides a base to climb these two mountains.Water from this glacier forms a stream known as “Shafat Nala” which adds to the flow of the Suru river. It is a broken, ice-falling glacier melting at an alarming rate due to Global warming.
 
Traveller Information:
<ul>
 <li>Famous for: Mesmerizing view, nature and glacier</li>
 <li>Best Time to Visit: October to February</li>
 <li>Duration: 1 day</li>
</ul>

Located at a little distance from Parkachik, it is a majestic mass of ice moving slowly down the slopes of Nun and Kun peaks. You can walk up to the glacier via a suspension footbridge over the Suru river. Huge slabs of ice occasionally peel off the 300 ft high front wall of Nun Kun and fall into the Suru River, providing a magnificent view of the huge ice-fall.
 
Traveller Information:
<ul>
 <li>Famous for: Mesmerizing view, nature and glacier</li>
 <li>Best Time to Visit: October to February</li>
 <li>Duration: 1 day</li>
</ul>

Also known as the Stod river, it is a 79 km long river that forms the Stod valley within Zanskar. This river is famous for adventure sports and rafting events are organized throughout its length.What mesmerising view it provides!! Wow, aWesome!! Must visit for sure while in Zanskar Valley. Rivers are so peaceful, glittery, shiny and so soothing. Who doesn’t love to visit a river and enjoy its feeling? Must visit for sure!!
 
Traveller Information:
<ul>
 <li>Famous for: River, scenic beauty and amazing ambience</li>
 <li>Best Time to Visit: July to September</li>
 <li>Duration: 1hr</li>
</ul>

Located approximately 12 km from Padum towards Reru, it is a 17th-century monastery. The location of this monastery is quite scenic, on a huge rock right next to the river. The monastery consists of a large Dukhang or assembly hall which has some grand statues of Buddhist figures and several small stupas in clay, bronze, wood, and copper. Such a place to relieve your stress. Aesthetic lovers love this place to visit as it revitalises your soul and body.
 
Traveller Information:
<ul>
 <li>Famous for: Religious feeling, nature and ambience</li>
 <li>Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year</li>
 <li>Duration: 45min</li>
</ul>

This glacier is possibly the most popular among all places to visit in Zanskar Valley. At the top of the Pensi La pass, you will be greeted with breathtaking views of the massive Drang Drung glacier.It is more or less a river of ice and snow and is considered to be the largest glacier in Ladakh outside the Karakoram range, second only by Siachen Glacier.It also gives rise to the Doda peak which lies on the rear side of the glacier and is the source of the Doda (also known as Stod) river.
 
Traveller Information:
<ul>
 <li>Famous for: Mesmerizing view, nature and glacier</li>
 <li>Best Time to Visit: October to February</li>
 <li>Duration: 1 day</li>
</ul>

For the most part of your journey through Suru valley, you will be travelling on the banks of the Suru river. This river, originating from the Panzella glacier which lies at Pensi La pass near the Drang Drung Glacier, is a major tributary of the Indus riverSuru River is also the sole reason behind the lush green of Suru valley. The river has extensive possibilities for rafting which is practised during the summer.Zanskar valley is said to have the longest uninterrupted Buddhist heritage of any region in the world. It is believed that it was through Zanskar that Buddhism made its way into Ladakh. Some of the oldest Buddhist monasteries are located here and are definitely worth a visit. Below is a list.
 
Traveller Information:
<ul>
 <li>Famous for: River, scenic beauty and amazing ambience</li>
 <li>Best Time to Visit: July to September</li>
 <li>Duration: 1hr</li>
</ul>

The only way to reach this pass is an easy trek from Panikhar. If you are staying overnight at Panikhar, you walk up to the pass and return by evening.Another way is to start from Panikhar, cross the pass, and descend down to Parkachik on the other side. This pass provides amazing views of Nun – Kun massif. You also get to see other peaks in the main Himalayan ridge separating Kashmir from Ladakh.
 
Traveller Information:
<ul>
 <li>Famous for: Mesmerising view, adorable environment and nature&nbsp;</li>
 <li>Best Time to Visit: October to February</li>
 <li>Duration: 1 day</li>
</ul>

Top 9 Places to Visit in Zanskar Valley

India > Ladakh

8 May 2026

Explore in Ladakh

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