# Zanskar Valley: independent guide > Independent English guide to Zanskar (Ladakh, India): the two road doors (Kargil-Suru-Penzi La past the Drang-Drung glacier; the new Darcha-Shinku La road past Gonbo Rangjon), Padum and its gompas (Karsha, Stongdey, Zangla), the walk-in Phugtal cave monastery via Purne homestays, the winter Chadar frozen-river trek (permits, shrinking Jan-Feb window), seasons (roads mid-June to mid-October), fuel/cash logistics and stays in Padum, Kargil and Leh. Published by geoguides. Some links are affiliate links (Stay22): they never change the reader's price and fund the site. Photos are Creative Commons, credited on each page and in assets/credits.json. ## Guides - [Skyu, Thukpa and Butter Tea: A Food Guide to Zanskar](https://zanskarvalley.com/skyu-thukpa-and-butter-tea-a-food-guide-to-zansk.html): What to eat in Zanskar Valley: skyu, thukpa, butter tea and barley staples, where homestays serve them, and how altitude should shape your appetite. - [Permits for Zanskar: What Foreign and Indian Travellers Need](https://zanskarvalley.com/permits-for-zanskar-what-foreign-and-indian-trav.html): Inner Line Permit rules for Zanskar explained: who needs one, where to apply, costs, documents, and the checkpoints that actually check. - [Delhi to Zanskar: Every Route, Flight and Road Option](https://zanskarvalley.com/delhi-to-zanskar-every-route-flight-and-road-opt.html): How to reach Zanskar Valley from Delhi: flight to Leh or Kargil, road via Kargil-Padum or Manali-Darcha, timings, costs and acclimatisation notes. - [Zanskar Valley Month by Month: When to Go and Why](https://zanskarvalley.com/zanskar-valley-month-by-month-when-to-go-and-why.html): When to visit Zanskar: road windows, trekking months, the winter Chadar, and festival dates, with altitude and acclimatisation built into the plan. - [Where to Stay in Zanskar: Padum, Homestays and Monasteries](https://zanskarvalley.com/where-to-stay-in-zanskar-padum-homestays-and-mon.html): A practical comparison of Padum guesthouses, village homestays and monastery stays in Zanskar, with prices, seasons and booking advice. - [Rangdum, Karsha, Stongde: the Gompa Circuit of Zanskar](https://zanskarvalley.com/rangdum-karsha-stongde-the-gompa-circuit.html): A practical guide to the Rangdum, Karsha and Stongde monasteries in Zanskar: dates, altitudes, driving times and how to pace the circuit sensibly. - [Zanskar or Central Ladakh: How to Split a One-Week Trip](https://zanskarvalley.com/zanskar-or-central-ladakh-splitting-your-week.html): One week, two regions. A factual comparison of Zanskar and central Ladakh, with road times, altitude notes, and a workable split itinerary. - [Kargil to Padum: the Road That Changed Zanskar](https://zanskarvalley.com/kargil-to-padum-the-road-that-changed-zanskar.html): A factual guide to the Kargil-Padum road: distance, driving time, seasonal closures, surface conditions, and what the new route means for Zanskar. - [The Chadar Now: The Ice Walk in the Road Era](https://zanskarvalley.com/the-chadar-now-the-ice-walk-in-the-road-era.html): Is the Chadar trek still walked, and why. A factual status update on Zanskar's frozen river route as the new road changes its purpose and its traffic. - [Phugtal Monastery Trek: The Cave Monastery and the Walk In](https://zanskarvalley.com/phugtal-the-monastery-in-the-cave-and-the-walk-i.html): A factual trekking guide to Phugtal Monastery, Zanskar: the trailhead at Purne, walk-in distances, altitude, monastery dates and the new road's effect. - [The Zanskar road trip: Leh to Padum by both doors](https://zanskarvalley.com/zanskar-road-trip.html): The grand Zanskar loop: Leh to Kargil and the Suru valley, over Penzi La past the Drang-Drung glacier to Padum, the valley days (Karsha, Zangla, Phugtal), and out by the new Shinku La road, with fuel, stays and timing. ## Frequently asked questions ### How do you get to Zanskar? Two road doors, summer only for most vehicles: the classic northern route from Kargil over Penzi La to Padum (a long day), and the new southern road from Manali-Darcha over Shinku La, which has cut the journey dramatically and is transforming the valley. Fly into Leh, acclimatise, and drive in either loop with a local driver or your own machine. ### How do you reach Phugtal monastery? The honey-comb cave gompa still has no road to its door: drive up the Tsarap valley past Purne and walk the final gorge trail, about 2-4 hours round trip from the trailhead depending on the roadhead's latest extension. Simple monastery guesthouses and homestays at Purne let you catch morning prayers. ### What is the Chadar trek and is it still running? The Chadar is the winter walk on the frozen Zanskar river, historically the valley's only winter exit. Organised treks run most Januaries and Februaries under permit, with warming climate and the new roads making the ice window shorter and the trek's future debated. If it is on your list, go with a licensed Leh operator, recent conditions checked, and realistic cold-weather experience. ### When is the best time for Zanskar? Mid-June to mid-October for the roads, treks and gompas, with July-August the green heart of the season. Winter belongs to the Chadar and serious cold (minus 25°C nights). The passes close with the first heavy snows; always check road status in Leh or Kargil before committing. ### Is Zanskar worth it compared to the rest of Ladakh? Zanskar is what central Ladakh was a generation ago: fewer vehicles, rawer valleys, monasteries that see pilgrims more than tourists. The new road is changing that quickly, which is the honest argument for going now rather than someday. ## Reliable facts - Valley floor ~3,500-3,700 m; acclimatise in Leh first. Passes: Penzi La ~4,400 m, Shinku La ~5,090 m; season mid-June to mid-October. - Phugtal monastery: no road access; gorge walk from the Purne-area roadhead; monastery guesthouse and village homestays. - The new Shinku La road links Zanskar to the Manali-Leh highway, enabling the first drive-through loop; a tunnel is planned for all-season access. - Chadar: the traditional winter walk on the frozen Zanskar; trek version runs under permit with Leh operators in Jan-Feb, window shrinking with climate and road construction. - Fuel: Kargil full tank, Padum's single pump intermittent, next certain fuel after Shinku La; carry cash throughout. --- Source: https://zanskarvalley.com/