Suru Valley

Suru Valley

From Srinagar to Leh
A: Suruvalley
Kargil – Trespone – Sanku – Panikhar (70km from Kargil)
Panikhar – Tangole – Parkachik – Rangdum (130km from Kargil)

B. Zanskar Valley
Rangdum – Pensi La – Ating – Sani – Padum
B.1. Padum - Karshe – Stongde – Zangla- Padum
B.2. Padum - Bardan - Padum

Return to Kargil for the next phase of the journey in the same route
Padum -> Rangdum -> Kargil over 2D/1N

Although Padum is closer to Leh on Map, there are no roads & no commute to Leh. One can only trek or raft his way to Leh.

The Suru valley is a valley in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, which is drained by the Suru River (Indus), a tributary of the Indus river. It is located at a height of 3,000m. The towns of Kargil and Rangdum are located here. The Penzella Pass at Panikhar, a hill resort in Zanskar, divides the Suru valley with Zanskar. Willow and Poplar are grown in the Suru valley.

Suru valley is inhabited by 25,000 by people of Dard and Tibetan descent. The majority of the people are followers of Shi'a Islam, having converted from Tibetan Buddhism in the 16th century

One of the most beautiful regions of Ladakh , the Suru Valley forms the mainstay of Kargil district. Lying nestled along the north-eastern foothills of the great Himalayan Wall, it extends from Kargil town, first southward for a length of about 75 Kms. Upto the expanse around Panikhar, hence eastward for another stretch of nearly 65 kms upto the foot of the Penzila watershed where the Suru valley rises. Its composite population of about 30,000, mainly of Tibeti-Darad descent are Muslims who had converted their Buddhist faith around the middle of the 16th century, under the direction of Thi-Namgyal. Buddhists in the Suru valley are dispersed throughout the valley in small numbers but are found mainly in Rangdum.

The upper valley reaches of the valley, particularly around the Sankoo bowl, the Panikhar expense and the higher stretch beyond, present a spectacle of breathtaking features-majestic mountain ramparts crowned by snow capped peaks, undulating alpine slopes draining into wild mountain streams of foaming cascades of pristine water, awesome glaciers descending along the Himalayan slopes to the river bed in riverine formation, Quaint villages of adobe houses straggling dry hillocks surrounded by large tracts of lush crops downward the patches of alpine pastures uphill. The beauty of this region is further enhanced by the sheer contrast provided by the towering peaks of Kun (7035m) and Nun (7135m) which loom over the skyline in their crystalline majesty.
The drive to Kartse Khar is well worth it as the Maitreya Statue dating back to 7th century, is similar to those destroyed by the Taliban at Bamiyan.

How to reach ?
Sankoo, Panikhar and Parachik are connected with Kargil with regular bus services, in summer even twice a day. A bus ride from Kargil takes 2 hours to Sankoo, 3 hours to Panikhar and about 4 hours to Parkachik. Rangdum is serviced by the BI-week bus service to Padum, which increases according to demand. Some trucks plying between Kargil and Padum also offers a lift in the cabin for the price of a bus seat. Cars and jeeps taxis can be hired from Kargil / Leh for visiting different places in the Suru Valley, including Rangdum and Penzila.

Where to stay?
Tourist bunglow/tents @ Purtikchey, Panikhar, Rangdum; hotels in Padum, Kargil



Best Regards,
Roopa Sreedhar