Suru Valley
Suru Valley lies in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir and is called so because it is drained by the Suru River, a powerful tributary of Indus. A fertile valley with immense beauty, in fact the lower plains of the Suru Valley are one of the most agriculturally productive parts of Ladakh. Suru Valley is home to the massive Nun Kun Peaks; a pair of Himalayan peaks: Nun, 7,135 m (23,409 ft) and its neighbor peak Kun, 7,077 m (23,218 ft). Nun is the highest peak in the part of the Himalayan range lying on the Indian side of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. (There are higher peaks in the Indian part of the Karakoram range.)
There are two main villages in the Suru Valley - Rangdum and Parachik. Parachik offers a splendid view of the Nun Kun siblings and plantations of willow and poplar make it relatively lush. Whereas Rangdum has stark landscape but is beautiful nonetheless. It houses the 18th century Rangdum monastery which is situated on top of a small but steep sugar loaf hill at an altitude of 3,657 m (11,998 ft). Entrenched around a mountain stream, the Gompa gives an appearance of age old fortification, which still stands as the protector of this mystical valley.
Zanskar valley dosen't disappoint with its share of monasteries all beautifully standing out in the stark landscape.
Stongdey Monastery
Stongdey Monastery of Ladakh is considered to be the second largest monastic institution in the Zanskar region. It is known for its gorgeous wall paintings. Stongde also serves as the venue of Gustor festival, an annual festival that takes place on the 28th and 29th day in the eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar.
Karsha Monastery
Located in the village of Karsha, it is the largest monastery in Zanskar. The Gustor Festival is celebrated at Karsha every year, on the 28th and 29th day of the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar. The celebrations also include the performance of the sacred dance.
Sani Monastery
Situated on the road to Kargil, at a distance of approximately 6 km to the west of Padum. Its been built in parts dating back to the 2nd century AD. The Sani Gompa of Leh Ladakh is also alleged to be connected with the famous Indian Yogi Naropa. Every year the bronze statue of the yogi is unveiled on the eve of the Naro-Nasjal Festival.
