Zanskar Valley

Zanskar is among the most isolated valleys in the entire Himalayan range - a vast high-altitude region south of Ladakh accessible for only about 5 months a year, separated from the rest of India by the 4,400m Pensi La pass. The valley is dotted with ancient gompas (Phugtal, Karsha, Sani, Stongde), traditional villages of flat-roofed mud-brick houses, and dramatic gorges - including the famous Zanskar Gorge, the route of the legendary Chadar winter trek across the frozen river. Summer brings a brief intense bloom of barley and yellow mustard fields; winter locks Zanskar in deep snow and the only way out is walking the frozen river. For the truly adventurous, Zanskar remains India's last great Himalayan frontier.