Traveling in West Ladakh
At the interface of cultures
Most travelers just pass through West Ladakh on their way from Kashmir to Leh or vice versa, or on their way to Zanskar, and that's a shame. The Suru Valley in particular, below the 7,000-meter Nun and Kun, has a lot to offer. Moreover, Western Ladakh is a little different from its more famous and visited larger part located around India. The „line of control“ border with Pakistan dividing the original territory of Kashmir between the two countries is only a few kilometers away.
1.-2. Day
Road from Kashmir to Drass
On the first day, you will have a long journey from Srinagar to Drass via the Zoji-la saddle. If you have more time you can interrupt your trip in Sonamamar and take another trip on the Kashmir side of the mountains. Drass has a picturesque surroundings and it pays to go both south and possibly north (you better ask the locals, because it's towards the Line of Control)
Drive through Zoji la Pass
From Kashmir to Ladakh
The famous high mountain road from Srinagar to Leh leads over several high passes. Crossing of the first one – Zoji la (Zozi la) (3528m asl), where it overcomes the main Himalayan ridge, is the most interesting and also the most adrenaline-filled part of this whole journey. This is especially true about the beginning of the season, when there's still plenty of snow. The beginning of this stage starts in the popular resort of Sonamarg (2 680 m asl) and ends in Drass (3 094 m asl) continue reading
Hike over Drass
The outlook of famous Tiger Hill
Drass (sometimes written only as Dras) (3 094 m asl ) is located in the valley of the river of the same only a short way from „Line of Control“ (approx. 10km) dividing the former Big Kashmir to the Indian and Pakistani side. The town is located on the major road linking Srinagar and Leh, but only a few tourists get off here, even though is this place ideal for great hikes around the surrounding ridges and meadows with views of the Himalayan peaks. continue reading
3.-4. day
Road through Kargil to Panikharu
Now you have to move to the Suru Valley. Basically, you have two options: You can get there by bus with a transfer via Kargil or walk there over a ridge on a dirt road through the saddles Master (4,270 m above sea level) and Umba la (4,530 m above sea level) to the town of Sankoo. There's not much to see in Kargil itself, but a walk over it is quite worth it. In Kargil, you can take a bus to Sur, where you get off at Panikharu.
Hike over Kargil
Through oasis to the east of Kargil
It is truth what is said and written about Kargil (2,700 m asl) – there is not much to see. However, if you have from any reason free half a day, you can undertake here very nice trip to the places where you will not meet a single tourist. From Kargil lying at the confluence of Suru and Wakhi rivers leads little known dusty small road over the mountains to Baltik already lying in the wild canyon of Indus. In the vicinity of this road there are nice oasis and they are the aim of this hike. continue reading
Day 5 - 6
Tourist trips from Panikharu
Panikhar is an ideal starting point for hiking trips in the area. The most famous is the ascent to the saddle Parkachik la overlooking the majestic Nun.
Hikes from Panikchar
The most beautiful part of Suru valley
The village Panikchar lies just a short distance from the place where river Suru radically changes its direction and turns sharply to the north. Its panorama is formed by beautiful six thousanders Nun and Kun and many other high Himalayan mountains. Surroundings of the village is one of the most beautiful what Suru valley, respectively western Ladakh offers. Except for the mountains, there are also beautiful green oases around the river. Trip to Panikchar is worthwhile even in the case you do not continue on further over Pensi la to Padum in Zanskar. continue reading
7th - 8th day
Road to Leh
Most travelers continue from the Suru Valley by bus via Pensi la to Padum in the former Buddhist kingdom of Zanskar. Another option is to continue to Rangdum and from there by trek across the Kanji la saddle to Lamayur. If you have less time and continue on to Leh, you need to return the same way to Kargil and from there via two saddles and Lamayura to Leh.
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