If I get one wish to travel and tour again in my lifetime the most mesmerizing and alluring road trip across the country, I would love to go on the Srinagar-Leh highway, also popularly famous as the National Highway 1D. A perfect treat to my eyes and memories, it is preferable to go through the diversion at Kargil towards Zanskar that will undoubtedly make you feel in a utopia all surrounded by scenic beauty and passing through un-metalled roads. The road from magnificent Srinagar to Zanskar will take you passing through the quaint and pleasant Dal Lake towards the lush green pastures of Sonemarg to the icy Zozila pass to the less renowned Kargil town and finally to the desolate Rangdum that is also been one of the abandoned ancient territories of yesteryear. From this amazing destination, the highway will take you to simply awe and amazing Pensila Pass to remarkable Darang Drung glacier and passing and heading forward leaving several breathtaking grasslands, tranquil rivers, parched mountains, chilled peaks, plenty of tinge and tints, several dirt passages, landscapes and more. Then you will arrive at Zanskar that is a land lost and buried in a time cloak. If you can survive such amazing grasslands, dirt tracks dangerous terrains, and more, pat yourself on heading and moving through the passage of heaven.
Dal Lake is like the salvation and lifeline of Srinagar and its picturesque and magnificence keeps on increasing with time. The never ending lake simply stretches more and more housed with so many floating shops and houseboats. Considered as the medicine to the wayfaring traveller soul, it is advised to stay in one of those great houseboats and relish hospitality of Kashmiri people.
While passing through the Srinagar – Ladakh highway, one of the most beautiful spots is undoubtedly Sonemarg valley. The drive in itself is soothing, astonishing filled with scenic beauty, towering hills and golden fields. The grasslands of the Sonemarg valley are very much captivating and inviting for a pony ride or trek heading to explore more through the gentle terrain.
Another attraction of the highway is the Rangdum Gompa town having merely a limited houses, and one of the mysterious places to discover and explore that is been lost in time cloak. Being the focal point of beauty, with dotting landscapes, towering mountains, slouching grasslands and more, it is the best place to feel the magic of nature and look within you and get some inner solace. Everywhere you look, you will be amazed by the quietness, peace and harmony that in itself is mesmerizing for sure.
The district capital of Zanskar is Padum that is a small village, famous and recognized for being alive only for about six months in a year when snow gets melted. It is an ideal place for trekking nearby and further in the Zanskar area backed with dotting sightseeing spots and amazing monasteries.
The biggest Gompa in the Zanskar region is the incredible Karsha monastery that is perched at peak and the climb towards it will definitely leave you in awe and excitement. In all, if that is not enough, have a word with the monks and enlightenment and wisdom is not far long from you.
