Padum – The Heart of Zanskar Valley

Small but important town Padum lies in remote Zanskar Valley. Although it is the administrative headquarters of Zanskar and is considered its cultural epicenter, Padum is by no means large. On the contrary, this little town situated amid snow-covered mountains serves as a vital gateway to explore Zanskar's rugged beauty and spiritual depth. Padum is surrounded by snow-clad peaks and traversed by the Zanskar River. Incredibly, this place of breathtaking landscapes also has stilled monasteries, vast expanses of untouched terrain, and traditional Ladakhi ethos mixed with basic modern services, which makes it an indispensable stop for trekkers or cultural visitors.

The main attractions around Padum are Karsha Monastery, the largest and most influential of Zanskar's Buddhist teaching centers. On a nearby hill there's Stongde Monastery poised dramatically, while trekking routes provide access to various parts of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, like Lamayuru, Darcha, and so forth.

Padum people live a lifestyle that is simple and deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhist traditions. The people there are warm and generous, and for the most part they maintain a non-destructive attitude towards their local environment in defiance of its bleak, mountainous, and snowy conditions.

Padum is more than just a place to break a journey—it is an experience in itself. If you are looking for adventure, spirituality, or even a bit of peace, Padum offers an extraordinary rare peek into territory that is mostly still untouched by time.