Padum Town in Zanskar | How to Reach | Indian Holiday

Padum in Zanskar Valley is a famous trekking base and an important tourist spot. On your tour to Padum Ladakh, you can take long walks to visit places of tourist interest. Below the old township of Padum is a set of rock carvings on a massive boulder near the river bank. These ancient rock sculptures provide evidence of the influence of North Indian Buddhism in Ladakh, which belongs to the 8th century. Tourists visit the Starrimo Monastery residence of 30 monks that clings to a tree-covered ridge. The area around, as well as the hills, have been terraced for farming. The old hamlet called Pibiting offers a picturesque view with the monastery on the hilltop setting as an example of the stupa architecture. Moreover, Zanskar Pass is also near this town, which will allure you to get the thrill.

On your tour to Padum, you must take the 240 km long Kargil-Padum road. The first 90 km stretch is paved, and the road remains open from mid-July to early November. Buses of Jammu Kashmir Transport operate from Kargil. At the same time, you can also avail of gypsy, taxis, and jeeps from Kargil, which take you to the interior places of interest like Stongdey, Zangla, and Karsha. Trekking in Zanskar is highly recommended during June and early July into Zanskar from Panikkar or Parkachik onwards. Apart from enjoying the Zanskar trek, you can enjoy joyful sightseeing here. 

Padum was the ancient capital of Zanskar and is now the region’s administrative headquarters. It has a population of nearly 1,500 and is considered the most populated settlement of Zanskar. On your tour to Padum, you will enjoy the scenic beauty around you. You can add this tourist destination to the Ladakh tour package and make the trip memorable. Below are the complete details about Padum town, which opens a new gate for unforgettable travel experiences in Ladakh. 

Best Time to Visit Padum Town 

June to September is the best time to visit Padum Town; during these months, the major mountain passes, and roads are open. Moreover, the Padum temperature during these months is pleasant and lets you enjoy joyful sightseeing. The entire valley becomes more lovely and turns green as the snow melts over the valley. Hence, during these months, your eyes will catch the beautiful sight of this town.

How to Reach Padum Town 

You can reach Padum from Leh and Manali as the road conditions are good and well connected with national highways. Kargil to Padum is around 230 km, which you can cover within 5-6 hours. However, the roads are open only for six months in a week. Using Public transport or driving on your own are the best options here. The excellent road condition links the Zanskar Valley and Padum to the rest of the country. 

Places to Visit in Padum  

Padum is a scenic town in Zanskar Valley that offers an excellent vacation to enjoy with friends and family. Several villages surround it and allow you to get exciting sightseeing as most of the Zanskar Valley of Ladakh attractions are around this village. Being a Buddhist area, Pandam is dotted with several monasteries that you should visit while enjoying a vacation here. 

• Pibiting Gompa
• Stakrimo Gompa
• Five Dhyani Buddha Rock Carvings
• Zangla Palace
• Gumbo Ranjan
• Sheela Village 
• Sani Lake

Things to Do in Padum 

This region of Ladakh is truly a gem that you must explore once in your lifetime. Padum is a small Zanskar Valley village with big opportunities for trekkers enthusiasts and thrill seekers. Moreover, this village has some exciting places for archeology lovers. Overall, there are lots of things to do and experiences in this region. 

• Camping
• Trekking
• Exploring ancient sites
• Enjoy village tours
• Photography
• Peaceful Stay around the lake
• Shopping

Accommodations in Padum 

It is the largest town of Zanskar Valley and is dotted with numerous hotels and guest houses. From giving you scenic views to catering to all your basic needs, staying options in Padum are the best option. You can expect a clean and hygienic stay in Padum as the main market has good staying options. You can stay in a camp in Padum for a short period to enjoy the scenery and get some unique experiences amidst mountain ranges.

Tips for Visiting Padum 

• Padum has only BSNL / MTNL postpaid connectivity, and the rest of the network does not work here. 
• Pandum has a phone booth that allows you to make STD and ISD Calls. 
• You will find good food options as there are several restaurants.
• Shopping sites are minimal, which lets you collect some souvenirs.