The Definite Guide to Suru Valley: Place, season & things to do
The gorgeous Suru Valley, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, pure rivers, and green valleys, is a must-see on your journey to Ladakh. It is located in the Kargil area and features a sprinkling of picturesque cottages that show a combination of Turkish and Tibetan architecture. Kartse Khar, a tourist sight, has a 7th-century figure of Lord Buddha that measures around 7 feet tall. Tourists booking last minute flights to India can also go to Rangdum, which has a monastery and two hamlets.
Panikhar is a common starting point for climbing expeditions. The Zangla Monastery is also nearby and well worth a visit. Suru Valley’s hills are more farmed than any other place in Ladakh, and for adventurers coming by affordable flight tickets to India, the Nun Kun Peak boasts spectacular geographical changes of glacier formations, alpine slopes, and majestic summits.
Where is actually Suru Valley?
The Suru Valley is a valley in the Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir that is drained by the Suru River, a major tributary of the Indus River. Kargil is the most important town in the valley. The Suru valley environment is beautiful, especially in the summer when it is studded with flowers. It stretches from Kargil town to the Penzi La watershed, where the Suru river begins.
The Suru valley has a huge population, primarily Tibetan-Dard Muslims who converted to Islam in the 15th century. The peaks of the Nun (7,135m) and Kun (7,035m) Massifs add to the splendor of the area.
The Suru Valley’s History
Suru Valley was previously made up of small chiefdoms. It was included in the Purig kingdom in the early 18th century. Islam was brought to it by preachers traveling through Baltistan in the 16th century.
While the Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh took over Purig in the mid-18th century, the Dogras seized the entire province by 1847. Today, the Line of Control (LoC) is near Kargil.
Things to do while your Suru Valley Trip:
- Enjoy the scenic serenity of Sankoo
Sankoo is a township in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, around 42 kilometers from Kargil. This town is renowned among people as a religious destination and a picnic area since it is located in the middle of nature. The village is situated in a valley shaped like a bowl. Rivers such as the Nakpochu and Kartse, which are the main headwaters of the Suru, run through this valley. Tourists who booked last minute flights can go to the area to see the Karpo-Khar Shrine. This shrine is dedicated to Sayed Mir Hashim, a Muslim scholar, and saint.
Visitors to Sankoo can explore the nearby woodlands. Tourists will see a variety of tree species, including deodar and willow.
- Explore the blissful Kartse Khar
On your trip back to Kargil from Zanskar, you can pass through Sanku, the closest thing to a town on this road. Just go a few kilometers from here to view the 7m-tall rock-cut Maitreya statue in the historic Dard Muslim town of Kartse Khar. This massive figure was created by Buddhist missionaries from Kashmir between the 7th and 8th centuries. The Buddha-tobe sits in peaceful repose, clutching a lotus with a stupa sprouting from it. It is a relic from when Buddhism was the main religion in the Suru Valley.
- Discover the breathtaking Nun-Kun peaks
The twin peaks of Nun and Kun are unquestionably one of the Suru valley’s main draws. The twin peaks can be seen from nearly every point in the valley, but the views from Panikhar are by far the greatest. The Nun, at an elevation of 7135 feet, is always covered in snow. The Kun is 7077 meters tall and primarily barren and dark. Both peaks stand towering and seem to call out to all adventure seekers. The Nun-Kun peaks are undoubtedly one of the most notable sights in Suru Valley for travelers & adventurers landing by cheap international flight tickets.
- Discover the beautiful hamlet of Parkachik
Parkachik is a wonderful settlement where you may go on daily walks in the surrounding region, up to the glacier and on the other side, up to the peak overlooking Panikhar and Parkachik.
Off-the-beaten paths and difficult roads can lead to the most magnificent and uncommercialized spectacular sites. One such stop on way to Zanskar Valley is the iconic Parkachik Village. It is about 80 kilometers from Kargil and is home to breathtaking glaciers, perennial rivers, and massive snow-capped mountain peaks. Nature’s closest companion. This hamlet has a special place in the hearts of International tourists, especially American tourists coming by cheap flight tickets to Delhi From USA.
- Witness the majestic Parkachik Glaciers
Parkachik Glacier, located in Parkachik, is a mass of ice sliding gently down the Nun-Kun slopes. This ice mass eventually flows into the Suru River, affording vistas of the massive icefall.
Large ice slabs periodically break off the glacier’s 300-foot-high front face. Visitors arriving by affordable flight tickets to India can hike up to the glacier via a suspension footbridge across the Suru River. Some mountaineers utilize this glacier to approach the challenging north-face climb to Mt Nun.
- Unfold the beauty of Suru Valley’s last village: Rangdum
Rangdum is a remote area in the Suru valley in Ladakh. Rangdum is around 100 kilometers from Kargil. Rangdum’s main feature is an enormous 18th-century Buddhist monastery that houses roughly 40 monks. Rangdum is also a popular hiking destination. The most popular walk from here runs to Henaskut in Lamayuru, via the magnificent Kanji Valley gorge. This 5-day trek is also the final phase of a two-week trans-Himalayan journey between Kashmir and Ladakh.
- Rangdum Monastery
Rangdum Monastery is situated at the top of the Suru Valley in Ladakh, at an impressive elevation of 4,031 meters above sea level. The 200-year-old Rangdum Monastery is located in the furthest and most secluded area of the Suru valley. Because it is secluded from the rest of the region, the area has kept much of its natural beauty. This location is surrounded by stunning hills, rugged mountains, and glaciers, which add to its allure. This valley is surrounded by colorful hills on one side and glacier-encrusted granite mountains on the other. Experience an auspicious enchanting aura while your trip to Suru Valley via cheap international flight tickets.
- Get mesmerized with a moto ride to Pensi La pass
Pensi La is an important mountain pass in Ladakh. This mountain pass connects the Suru valley to the Zanskar valley and acts as the Suru River’s watershed destination. This pass marks the entry of Ladakh on the Srinagar route, and the scenery changes considerably from here.
Because of its tremendous height, the Pensi La pass gives amazing panoramas and spending some time here taking in all the natural beauty surrounded by isolation is a superb experience. The pass is close to Kargil, and you may visit both destinations at the same time.
- Rejuvenate with the crystal clear waters of Ta Tso & Lang Tso Lakes
Lang Tso and Stat Tso lakes are located right around the corner from the Pensi La Pass, which connects Zanskar Valley to Zuru Valley. Their spectacular beauty, which you must see to believe, is what makes them a popular tourist destination in Ladakh.
These two breathtakingly magnificent lakes are so pristine and crystalline that one can see the reflection of the snowcapped peaks of Zanskar in the backdrop. You may also camp beside the lake and have a nice time. You may also spend time taking as many shots as you like and reveling in the tranquillity of the surroundings.
How to Land in Suru Valley
Suru Valley is located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ladakh area. It has good road access to Leh. Here is how to go to Suru Valley:
- BY AIR
The nearest airport is Leh. The airport at Leh is connected to Delhi, Jammu, Srinagar, and Chandigarh. Now you can enjoy the best views of Suru Valley by booking cheap flight tickets to Delhi From USA exclusively on flyopedia. To get there, one can take a cab or a car.
- BY TRAIN
The nearest railway station to Leh is Kalka. To travel to Suru Valley, take a bus or cab from the Leh bus station, which is less than a kilometer from the city. Private automobiles, buses, and cabs may also be leased from Manali through Shimla.
- BY ROAD
The two most common ways to Suru Valley are from Srinagar and from Manali through the Manali-Leh Highway. Both highways run over difficult mountain crossings and are occasionally closed due to landslides.
So, if you’re visiting Leh, don’t simply spend the night in Kargil and continue your travel with last minute flights. Visit Suru Valley as well. And, if you’re planning a journey to the Zanskar Valley through Kargil, spend at least a couple of days in Suru Valley rather than just passing through.
