Kargil
The Important Trade Transit of Yesteryears
General Information
District: Kargil, State: Jammu & Kashmir, India
Area: 15000 Sq. Km.
Languages Spoken: Local dialects
Long Distance Code: +91-1985
Importance: Site of incursion of Pakistani backed infiltrators
Best Time to Visit: April to July
Description
Kargil has always been in the world map; be it the past or the present. Being bang in the centre of two important cities of Kashmir, Kargil was the major transit point for the traders loaded with goods. <br />The Kargil town is situated in Basin of Suru River, where two tributaries of the river meet. This region formed part of the erstwhile Kingdom of Ladakh. It was a colony of the people from Ladakh. Kargil is a mixture of various ethnic groups living a peaceful life on this hilly cold terrain. These tribes still follow their own rituals and cultures. The Indo-Aryan Mhon from across the Great Himalayan range, the Dard from down the Indus and the Gilgit valleys and itinerant nomads from the Tibetan highlands all came to settle here forming a culture and tradition which is unique in its own way. They learnt various aspects of life and living from each other to fight the tough weather and stay happy. <br /><br /> Kargil is famous as the land of Apricots. In summers the whole Suru valley blooms and comes alive with the orange colour and sweet fragrance of the Apricots. While nearly 85 % of the population of Kargil follows the Islam, the traditions differ largely from the conventional Muslim rituals and beliefs. This is the example of confluence of Buddhism and Islam that has followed in the valley for ages now. <br />Like many other tribes, there is one unique tribe in the area. The `Minaros' (or Brokpas), who claim to be direct descendants of the army men of Alexander of Macedonia are strictly endogamous tribe. Easily recognized by their typical dressing style and hats, they practice their own rituals and rites and shun from the public eye. <br />Due to the mountainous terrain and harsh climatic conditions the people of Kargil can cultivate only along the narrow valley rising hillsides. Other than Apricots, thick plantations of poplars and willows, apples and mulberry trees adorn the valley bottom and the hills alike. <br />The chief attractions of the Kargil valley are its adventure sports like trekking, camping, mountaineering, river rafting and the rest. The day long excursions in the nearby Suru valley are also worthwhile. <br />Mulbek which is around 45 kms from Kargil is chiefly a Buddhist village. Many of the monuments which lie scattered in ruins here stand witness to the prosperity of the Buddhist era. The major attraction, however, is the 9 meter high ancient rock sculpture of the Future Buddha. This 8th century sculpture is built in a unique blend of esoteric Saivaite symbolism and Buddhist art. Famous as Mulbek Chamba, it is believed to be built by the missionaries preaching Buddhism, who came here. <br />A fairy tale village of Wakha Rgyal is five km away from Mulbek. This village is perched on a small hill top and appears like a medieval cave settlement. It looks like a beehive from a distance. The picturesque views, of the undaunting hills, that this small village offers is another attraction. <br />The peculiar cave monastery of Shergol attracts tourist form far and wide. Very near to Kargil this small village has equal number of Buddhist and Muslim population. It is famous for the cave monastery which seems to be hanging off the brown hill. A natural mountain fortress can be seen in the near by Phokar village which conceals many small caves. Great Buddhist preachers like the Padmasambhava is believed to have resided in these caves during his journey to Tibet. <br />Drass, a relatively flat open place in the valley, is about 60 kms from Kargil. Starting from the base of the Zoji La pass, the Himalayan gateway to Ladakh, it is blanketed by heavy snow for the most time of the year. Although the summer months throw riot of colours when the white and brown mountains turn into green pastures and grow innumerous colourful flowers; the town of Drass is supposed to be the second coldest inhabited place of Asia. A stark contrast in the scenery is seen when one takes the last turn of the road at the India Gate near the top of the pass and enter the Ladakh territory. The luxury of beautiful nature is replaced by the brown and Ochre mountains. <br />Drass is inhabited by the tough Dard community who are the immigrants from the Gilgit valley. Representing a unique culture and language of their own, the Dard have been the navigators or many on this dreadful pass since ages. It is the Dard community, which despite the cold condition of this place, has kept the mail service between Srinagar and Ladakh in working condition. The language they speak is very near to the Indo- European languages, unlike the people of this area who basically speak dialects of Tibetan language. The favourite sport of these people is the Horse polo.Location
Kargil is the second largest urban centre of Ladakh, situated at the height of 2704 meters and is the middle point on the Srinagar and Leh Highway. Around 204 kms from Srinagar and 234 kms from Leh, Kargil once served as an important trade and transit centre in the Pan-Asian trade network.
Enshrined with the 9 meter tall idol of Maitreya Buddha (future) chiseled in the rocks, Mulbekh monastery is 36 Km away from Kargil on the way towards Leh on the National highway 1D.
It is believed that the idol dates back to the 8th century but another school of thought believes it to have been built in Kushan's period. The sculpture is said to have been carved by the missionaries, but the artwork further depicts that these missionaries were not Tibetans and were probably Ladaakhis. There are other ancient edicts near the main sculpture in Kharoshti script. Mulbekh otherwise forms a panorama encomprised of sturdy rock with occasional green patches spread across the unending horizon
Kashmir - Ladakh with Golden Triangle / PI-0317 (14 Days / 13 Nights)
Delhi-Srinagar-Gulmarg-Srinagar-Kargil-Leh-Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Delhi
Travel to the snow capped peaks of Kashmir where you get to visit the Himalayan paradise of Laddakh with its beautiful ochre colored landscape and orange robed monks in their ancient monasteries. Following this Buddhist haven, our trip proceeds to the Golden Triangle that trip of Delhi Agra and Jaipur where history mingles freely with nature making it the perfect trip for every type of traveler.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi - Srinagar
Day 3 : Srinagar
Day 4 : Srinagar - Gulmarg
Day 5 : Srinagar - Kargil
Day 6 : Kargil - Leh
Day 7 : Leh
Day 8 : Leh
Day 9 : Leh
Day 10 : Leh-Delhi
Day 11 : Delhi - Agra
Day 12 : Agra - Jaipur
Day 13 : Jaipur
Day 14 : Jaipur - Delhi
Delhi-Srinagar-Gulmarg-Srinagar-Kargil-Leh-Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Delhi
Travel to the snow capped peaks of Kashmir where you get to visit the Himalayan paradise of Laddakh with its beautiful ochre colored landscape and orange robed monks in their ancient monasteries. Following this Buddhist haven, our trip proceeds to the Golden Triangle that trip of Delhi Agra and Jaipur where history mingles freely with nature making it the perfect trip for every type of traveler.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi - Srinagar
Day 3 : Srinagar
Day 4 : Srinagar - Gulmarg
Day 5 : Srinagar - Kargil
Day 6 : Kargil - Leh
Day 7 : Leh
Day 8 : Leh
Day 9 : Leh
Day 10 : Leh-Delhi
Day 11 : Delhi - Agra
Day 12 : Agra - Jaipur
Day 13 : Jaipur
Day 14 : Jaipur - Delhi
Great Himalayan Wonder - Trekking Tours in Himachal / PI-0432 (24 Days / 23 Nights)
Delhi-Leh-Kargil-Rangdom Gompa-Ringdom-Padam-Mune-Dortzon-Purne-Thable-Gomborajan-Lakong-Chuminakpo-Zanskar Sumdo-Sumdo-Palamu-Darcha-Manali-Nalagarh-Delhi
Even though Everest gets most of the headlines, Himalayas are much more than that. The place is in fact geography of superlatives- the highest mountains, deepest gorges, wild forest tracts, the rolling Tibetan plateaus, and some of the greatest biodiversity on the planet. Trekking expeditions to this place are full of adventure and thrill sure to make the trip of any adventure lover memorable.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi - Leh
Day 4 : Leh
Day 5 : Leh - Kargil
Day 6 : Kargil - Rangdom Gompa
Day 7 : Ringdom - Padam
Day 8 : Padam - Mune
Day 9 : Mune - Dortzon
Day 10 : Dortzon - Purne
Day 11 : Purne
Day 12 : Purne - Thable
Day 13 : Thable - Gomborajan
Day 14 : Gomborajan - Lakong
Day 15 : Lakong - Chuminakpo
Day 16 : Chuminakpo - Zanskar Sumdo
Day 17 : Sumdo - Palamu
Day 18 : Palamu - Darcha
Day 19 : Darcha - Manali
Day 20 : Manali
Day 21 : Manali
Day 22 : Manali - Nalagarh
Day 23 : Nalagarh - Delhi
Day 24 : Delhi
Delhi-Leh-Kargil-Rangdom Gompa-Ringdom-Padam-Mune-Dortzon-Purne-Thable-Gomborajan-Lakong-Chuminakpo-Zanskar Sumdo-Sumdo-Palamu-Darcha-Manali-Nalagarh-Delhi
Even though Everest gets most of the headlines, Himalayas are much more than that. The place is in fact geography of superlatives- the highest mountains, deepest gorges, wild forest tracts, the rolling Tibetan plateaus, and some of the greatest biodiversity on the planet. Trekking expeditions to this place are full of adventure and thrill sure to make the trip of any adventure lover memorable.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi - Leh
Day 4 : Leh
Day 5 : Leh - Kargil
Day 6 : Kargil - Rangdom Gompa
Day 7 : Ringdom - Padam
Day 8 : Padam - Mune
Day 9 : Mune - Dortzon
Day 10 : Dortzon - Purne
Day 11 : Purne
Day 12 : Purne - Thable
Day 13 : Thable - Gomborajan
Day 14 : Gomborajan - Lakong
Day 15 : Lakong - Chuminakpo
Day 16 : Chuminakpo - Zanskar Sumdo
Day 17 : Sumdo - Palamu
Day 18 : Palamu - Darcha
Day 19 : Darcha - Manali
Day 20 : Manali
Day 21 : Manali
Day 22 : Manali - Nalagarh
Day 23 : Nalagarh - Delhi
Day 24 : Delhi
Trekking in Himalayas / PI-0433 (24 Days / 23 Nights)
Delhi-Leh-Kargil-Rangdom Gompa-Ringdom-Padam-Mune-Dortzon-Purne-Thable-Gomborajan-Lakong-Chuminakpo-Zanskar Sumdo-Sumdo-Palamu-Darcha-Manali-Nalagarh-Delhi
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi - Leh
Day 4 : Leh
Day 5 : Leh - Kargil
Day 6 : Kargil - Rangdom Gompa
Day 7 : Ringdom - Padam
Day 8 : Padam - Mune
Day 9 : Mune - Dortzon
Day 10 : Dortzon - Purne
Day 11 : Purne
Day 12 : Purne - Thable
Day 13 : Thable - Gomborajan
Day 14 : Gomborajan - Lakong
Day 15 : Lakong - Chuminakpo
Day 16 : Chuminakpo - Zanskar Sumdo
Day 17 : Sumdo - Palamu
Day 18 : Palamu - Darcha
Day 19 : Darcha - Manali
Day 20 : Manali
Day 21 : Manali
Day 22 : Manali - Nalagarh
Day 23 : Nalagarh - Delhi
Day 24 : Delhi
Delhi-Leh-Kargil-Rangdom Gompa-Ringdom-Padam-Mune-Dortzon-Purne-Thable-Gomborajan-Lakong-Chuminakpo-Zanskar Sumdo-Sumdo-Palamu-Darcha-Manali-Nalagarh-Delhi
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi - Leh
Day 4 : Leh
Day 5 : Leh - Kargil
Day 6 : Kargil - Rangdom Gompa
Day 7 : Ringdom - Padam
Day 8 : Padam - Mune
Day 9 : Mune - Dortzon
Day 10 : Dortzon - Purne
Day 11 : Purne
Day 12 : Purne - Thable
Day 13 : Thable - Gomborajan
Day 14 : Gomborajan - Lakong
Day 15 : Lakong - Chuminakpo
Day 16 : Chuminakpo - Zanskar Sumdo
Day 17 : Sumdo - Palamu
Day 18 : Palamu - Darcha
Day 19 : Darcha - Manali
Day 20 : Manali
Day 21 : Manali
Day 22 : Manali - Nalagarh
Day 23 : Nalagarh - Delhi
Day 24 : Delhi
Best Of Ladakh Zanskar Trek / PI-0435 (22 Days / 21 Nights)
Delhi-Kalka-Manali-Keylong-Jispa-Palamo-Zanskar Sumdo-Zanskar-Sumdo-Chhumiknakpo-Lakong-Kargyak-Kuru-Testa-Purne-Phuktal Gompa-Purne-Reru-Mune-Padam-Rangdum-Suru Valley-Kargil-Lamayuru-Leh-Delhi
Taking you across a mystical river journey from the wild Zanskaar valley to the beautiful Leh, this tour passes enormous glaciers and valleys that are hidden in the remotest reaches of Himalayas. Get to the highlights of this famous tourist area that has incredible natural beauty. Visit some ancient monasteries and get in touch with age old pillars of Tibetan Buddhism that are sure to leave you with mesmerizing memories of this place.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi - Kalka - Manali
Day 4 : Manali
Day 5 : Manali - Keylong - Jispa
Day 6 : Jispa - Palamo
Day 7 : Palamo - Zanskar Sumdo
Day 8 : Zanskar - Sumdo - Chhumiknakpo
Day 9 : Chhumiknakpo-Lakong
Day 10 : Lakong - Kargyak
Day 11 : Kargyak - Kuru - Testa - Purne
Day 12 : Purne - Phuktal Gompa - Purne
Day 13 : Purne - Reru - Mune
Day 14 : Mune - Padam
Day 15 : Padam
Day 16 : Padam - Rangdum
Day 17 : Rangdum - Suru Valley - Kargil
Day 18 : Kargil - Lamayuru - Leh
Day 19 : Leh
Day 20 : Leh
Day 21 : Leh - Delhi
Day 22 : Delhi
Delhi-Kalka-Manali-Keylong-Jispa-Palamo-Zanskar Sumdo-Zanskar-Sumdo-Chhumiknakpo-Lakong-Kargyak-Kuru-Testa-Purne-Phuktal Gompa-Purne-Reru-Mune-Padam-Rangdum-Suru Valley-Kargil-Lamayuru-Leh-Delhi
Taking you across a mystical river journey from the wild Zanskaar valley to the beautiful Leh, this tour passes enormous glaciers and valleys that are hidden in the remotest reaches of Himalayas. Get to the highlights of this famous tourist area that has incredible natural beauty. Visit some ancient monasteries and get in touch with age old pillars of Tibetan Buddhism that are sure to leave you with mesmerizing memories of this place.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi - Kalka - Manali
Day 4 : Manali
Day 5 : Manali - Keylong - Jispa
Day 6 : Jispa - Palamo
Day 7 : Palamo - Zanskar Sumdo
Day 8 : Zanskar - Sumdo - Chhumiknakpo
Day 9 : Chhumiknakpo-Lakong
Day 10 : Lakong - Kargyak
Day 11 : Kargyak - Kuru - Testa - Purne
Day 12 : Purne - Phuktal Gompa - Purne
Day 13 : Purne - Reru - Mune
Day 14 : Mune - Padam
Day 15 : Padam
Day 16 : Padam - Rangdum
Day 17 : Rangdum - Suru Valley - Kargil
Day 18 : Kargil - Lamayuru - Leh
Day 19 : Leh
Day 20 : Leh
Day 21 : Leh - Delhi
Day 22 : Delhi
Srinagar And Ladakh Tour / PI-0121 (12 Days / 11 Nights)
Delhi-Srinagar-Kargil-Uletokpo-Alchi-Leh-Delhi
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi-Srinagar
Day 3 : Srinagar
Day 4 : Srinagar - Kargil
Day 5 : Kargil - Uletokpo
Day 6 : Uletokpo -Alchi - Leh
Day 7 : Leh
Day 8 : Leh
Day 9 : Leh
Day 10 : Leh
Day 11 : Leh-Delhi
Day 12 : Delhi
Delhi-Srinagar-Kargil-Uletokpo-Alchi-Leh-Delhi
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi-Srinagar
Day 3 : Srinagar
Day 4 : Srinagar - Kargil
Day 5 : Kargil - Uletokpo
Day 6 : Uletokpo -Alchi - Leh
Day 7 : Leh
Day 8 : Leh
Day 9 : Leh
Day 10 : Leh
Day 11 : Leh-Delhi
Day 12 : Delhi
Ancient Monasteries / PI-0181 (14 Days / 13 Nights)
Delhi-Srinagar-Kargil-Rangdom Gompa-Rangdom-Padam-Bardan Gompa-Padam-Kargil-Uletokpo-Leh-Delhi
Tour three different parts of Jammu and Kashmir whose landscapes are completely different from one each. These will take you to some of the most ancient monasteries of the region that were virtually untouched by the winds of modernization and change till very recently. In between, take in some of the most picturesque and ethereal views of snow capped Himalayan mountains that you may have ever seen.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi-Srinagar
Day 2 : Srinagar
Day 3 : Srinagar - Kargil
Day 4 : Kargil - Rangdom Gompa
Day 5 : Rangdom - Padam
Day 6 : Padam
Day 7 : Padam - Bardan Gompa
Day 8 : Padam - Kargil
Day 9 : Kargil - Uletokpo
Day 10 : Uletokpo - Leh
Day 11 : Leh
Day 12 : Leh
Day 13 : Leh
Day 14 : Leh-Delhi
Delhi-Srinagar-Kargil-Rangdom Gompa-Rangdom-Padam-Bardan Gompa-Padam-Kargil-Uletokpo-Leh-Delhi
Tour three different parts of Jammu and Kashmir whose landscapes are completely different from one each. These will take you to some of the most ancient monasteries of the region that were virtually untouched by the winds of modernization and change till very recently. In between, take in some of the most picturesque and ethereal views of snow capped Himalayan mountains that you may have ever seen.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi-Srinagar
Day 2 : Srinagar
Day 3 : Srinagar - Kargil
Day 4 : Kargil - Rangdom Gompa
Day 5 : Rangdom - Padam
Day 6 : Padam
Day 7 : Padam - Bardan Gompa
Day 8 : Padam - Kargil
Day 9 : Kargil - Uletokpo
Day 10 : Uletokpo - Leh
Day 11 : Leh
Day 12 : Leh
Day 13 : Leh
Day 14 : Leh-Delhi
Flavour of Himalayas / PI-0191 (10 Days / 9 Nights)
Delhi-Srinagar-Gulmarg-Srinagar-Sonmarg-Kargil-Leh-Khardongla Pass-Leh-Delhi
No matter what you say about Himalayas, their magnificence once translated in words will always be an understatement. Housing the highest mountain peaks of the world, Himalayas are the abode of snow giving home to many thrilling adventure activities that you can indulge in while visiting the place. Plan your vacations now to make your trip an unforgettable adventure.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi - Srinagar
Day 4 : Srinagar
Day 5 : Srinagar - Gulmarg - Srinagar
Day 6 : Srinagar - Sonmarg - Kargil
Day 7 : Kargil - Leh
Day 8 : Leh
Day 9 : Leh - Khardongla Pass - Leh
Day 10 : Leh - Delhi
Delhi-Srinagar-Gulmarg-Srinagar-Sonmarg-Kargil-Leh-Khardongla Pass-Leh-Delhi
No matter what you say about Himalayas, their magnificence once translated in words will always be an understatement. Housing the highest mountain peaks of the world, Himalayas are the abode of snow giving home to many thrilling adventure activities that you can indulge in while visiting the place. Plan your vacations now to make your trip an unforgettable adventure.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi - Srinagar
Day 4 : Srinagar
Day 5 : Srinagar - Gulmarg - Srinagar
Day 6 : Srinagar - Sonmarg - Kargil
Day 7 : Kargil - Leh
Day 8 : Leh
Day 9 : Leh - Khardongla Pass - Leh
Day 10 : Leh - Delhi
Kargil, India Tours
