Things to do in Zanskar – not only Chadar and Padum

Zanskar is a valley in the Himalayas. Things to do in Zanskar ARE NOT “doing” the Chadar trek. An itinerary for travel to Zanskar is not

• Day 1: Reach Padum.
• Night at Padum
• Day 2: Leave Padum. Night at Kargil.

Why travel 250 km from Kargil to Padum, through a backbreaking journey – there’s no comfortable way to get to Zanskar – only to return back in less than 24 hours? (Unless of course, you have contacts with the Dalai Lama and can use the helipad in Padum – yes, there is a helipad in Zanskar!)

Zanskar, as remote, unheard and isolated as it is, is a huge valley. The sparse population means it is best suited for exploration, for getting away from it all, for becoming one with nature (and all of those “deep travel notions”).

So what are the things to do in Zanskar? What “more” does it have to offer? Allow us to present a list of “6 things to do in Zanskar” (that are not the Chadar Trek).

1: Trekking in the Zanskar valley

Its location deep in the high altitude Himalayas can easily make Zanskar the trekking capital of India! There are high altitude multi-day treks to Rangdum/Parkachik in the Suru valley or to Lamayuru.

There is a big part of the Zanskar valley beyond the “end of the road” marking on the map. Which means to discover the Zanskar valley by foot is among the unique things to do in Zanskar valley. If you don’t feel safe taking off by yourself, ask your host family for a recommended guide. If it really is safe for you to go by yourself, they will tell you so.

Like they told us when we decided to visit the Phuktal monastery – probably the most remote monastery of Zanskar.

Along the way, visit some hard to reach monasteries in the Zanskar valley. We got a chance to see the Bardan monastery on our way to the Phuktal monastery.

Read “Trek to Phuktal Monastery in Zanskar, India”

Tip: The locals are used to the high altitude of the Zanskar valley. For the outsiders, the time taken to cover a certain distance would be way longer than the locals. We would just double the estimated time told to us by the local people of the Zanskar valley.

2: Attend the monastery festivals in Zanskar

These are not targeted for the tourists (because there aren’t very many tourists in the first place!)
The festival itself – the decked up monastery, masked dances by the lamas, tranced devotional music – is an extravaganza. Experiencing these festivals is one of the top things to do in Zanskar.

But beyond these obvious eye-catching and entertaining events, the monastery festivals in Zanskar give a peek into the life of the people of Zanskar. These monastery festivals are an important event in their social calendars. People from all over Zanskar visit these monasteries on their festival days.

The monastery festivals are perfect opportunity to observe this social camaraderie of the people of Zanskar.

Read “Colourful monastery festivals in Ladakh and Zanskar”

3: Discover the simplicity of the local life in Zanskar

Except for Padum, there aren’t many guest houses or tourist facilities deeper into the Zanskar valley. Which only means one thing – you have to live with the locals in their homes – one of the best things to do in Zanskar valley! We lived in two such homes in Zanskar – one in Sani with a shepherd’s family. The other time was in an accessible-only-by-foot village of Cha en route our trek to the Phuktal monastery.

Living with these families, eating the food they ate and the drink they brewed (all locally grown!), using their dry compost toilets (this was our biggest challenge in Zanskar!), exchanging stories with them – we learnt of an extraordinarily simple way of life.

Tip: At first, they might be hesitant to let you stay in their homes because they know they lack the “tourist facilities”. Convince them that you can live with whatever they have to offer.

Read “When less is more or a Simple life of Sani in Zanskar”

4: Have heartfelt conversations with the monks in the monasteries

Karsha is a village close to Padum, almost at a (long) walking distance. The main lama and the nun monasteries were closed when we visited. All the monks were away to attend a ceremony in a local’s house.

Seeing us wait in the courtyard, an old monk who took care of the older monastery at Karsha, asked us if we would like to see it. They had closed down this monastery after its structure became dilapidated and posed a danger to monks living there. It is now under renovation, but the walls were filled with old symbolic art. The monk explained to us the meaning of all of the art, even drawing analogies with beliefs in Hinduism.

He was delighted that “fellow Indians” had visited his monastery. He said he had loved the sea when he had visited Mumbai many years ago. He even gifted us a katha for souvenir.

Tip: In the absence of too many tourists, such conversations are easily possible in the monasteries of the Zanskar valley.

5: Have lunch with the lamas in the Zanskar valley

If you reach a monastery at lunch time, it will be assumed that you are joining the lamas in their mid-day meal. All you have to do is find a place for yourself to be seated. Someone will get a bowl for you. You will be a part of their food service. Just like that. No questions asked.

The lunch time view won’t be bad either!

Tip: Some monasteries also have guesthouses where you can stay for a small sum. In the absence of an organised stay arrangement, they might even let you pitch your tent in their grounds.

6: Try to grasp what remote means, in Zanskar valley

This is the sign next to the only fuel station in the entire Zanskar valley. The Indian Oil trucks we hitchhiked in while traveling to Zanskar were getting the fuel supply from Jammu to this fuel station.

This board is bang opposite a petrol pump (gas station). A single hand cranked fuel dispenser is operated by a lone employee there. This petrol pump caters to the fueling needs of around 14000 people – the population of the entire Zanskar valley!

Which makes this solitary pump the one and only means for the people of Zanskar to be connected to the world beyond their valley.

Experiencing life in the fabled faraway lands was the most precious tick mark for the things to do in Zanskar Valley list.

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Looking for more ideas for travelling in Zanskar? Have a look at these stories from our travels in Zanskar

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