One of the most arresting moils of nature in Ladakh is Sangam, the confluence Indus, and Zanskar Rivers. Nestled between the stunning mountains of the cold desert, there is a vantage point at about 35 km from Leh near the village of Nimmu, on the Leh to Srinagar Highway, where the picturesque Sangam of these opulent rivers travelers can be witnessed.
Today I am going to share a travel guide for visiting this confluence of Indus (right) and Zanskar (left) rivers. It is also popularly known as Sangam near Leh town. Some people also call the valley around this confluence Sangam Valley.
Let’s quickly dive into the details:
• About – Sangam Ladakh or Sangam Valley
o Indus River
o Zanskar River
o The Chadar
o The Confluence – Indus & Zanskar
o Chiling Village
• How to reach Indus Zanskar Sangam?
• Best time to visit Indus Zanskar Conflunce
• Where to stay?
• Where to eat?
• Important tips
• Mobile Network Connectivity
About – Sangam Ladakh or Sangam Valley
This confluence has become one of the hot tourist spots near Leh in recent years. You cannot miss the Indus Zanskar Sangam if you are traveling from Srinagar to Leh. So, you do not need to hire a special taxi to visit this place in Ladakh. It can be easily covered when you come to Leh from Kargil.
Indus River
The Indus River is one of the longest rivers in Asia. It is one of the primary rivers, not just in Ladakh but in entire North India. It was the lifeline of the great Indus Valley civilization and the Harappan civilization of India. These civilizations are some of the most ancient, rich, and planned civilizations mankind has ever witnessed.
The Indus Valley Civilization is known for its urban planning, the great bath, an elaborate drainage system, brick houses, and flourishing agriculture, owing all to the resourceful river. It was only when the Indus River changed its course over some time that the civilizations saw their demise.
Zanskar River
Zanskar river is one of the major tributaries of the Indus river only. It meets the Indus river at Nimmu village in Ladakh, a place popularly known as Sangam. However, the Zanskar River in itself is formed when the Doda River and Lungnak River meet together near Zanskar’s central valley.
The Doda River originates somewhere near Pensi La pass and flows towards Padum village in Zanskar Valley. On the other hand, the second tributary of the Zanskar river, the Lungnak River, is formed by the Kargyak river and Tsarap river.
Kargyak river originates near Shingo La pass which connects Himachal Pradesh with the Zanskar region. While Tsarap River has its source near Baralacha La pass on Manali Leh Highway. Both Kargyak River and Tsarap River meet near Purne village to give birth to the Lungnak River. You may also know Lungnak River by the names of Lingti River or Tsarap River too.
Much like the Shyok river flows in Nubra Valley, the Zanskar river runs alongside you as you travel from Leh to Nimmu to Chiling road.
The Chadar
As Zanskar River flows through a dramatic Zanskar Gorge, the beauty on offer is simply jaw-dropping. In the summer season, Zanskar river rafting, typically from Chiling to Nimmu, is very popular among the tourists in Leh Ladakh.
On the other hand, in the winter season, the Zanskar River temperature goes below freezing point, and the river completely freezes to form a thick ice sheet called Chadar. This frozen Zanskar river trek spanned over multiple days, is popular by the name of Chadar trek where you walk from Chiling to Padum.
Chadar trek is the only means of connectivity to Padum Village or Zanskar Valley in winters when high mountain passes like Pensi La are closed due to heavy snow presence. Every year, 100s of adventure enthusiasts flock to the Ladakh region to hike or walk along or on the frozen Zanskar river and fulfill their dream of Chadar trek.
The Confluence – Indus & Zanskar
At times, at the Sangam, the Indus River can be seen as shiny blue while the Zanskar river is dirty green. In the summer season, Zanskar is swollen and rapid, while Indus is comparatively calmer. In the winters, it is quite the opposite. Zanskar slows down, its flow is light and is completely frozen at a lot of places, enabling the legendary Chadar Trek. While Indus flows fast, with ice floating on it.
Chiling Village
Chiling Village (or Chilling) is located at the tip end of the road running alongside the Zanskar river. The road further ahead from Chiling is supposed to connect Padum village in Zanskar in the coming years.
Once the road will complete, it will render full-year connectivity of Zanskar Valley to Leh Ladakh. As of now, Chiling village is well known as a starting point for Chadar trek in winters, which might get obsolete once the road completes.
However, the drive or ride from Nimmu to Chiling is equally beautiful. If you have some time on your Sham Valley day trip, you will love the lonely sections of this peaceful road.
Chilling is about 25 odd km from the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers and a nice place to visit. Plus, you will have ample spots where you can lay beside the Zanskar river shores and feel the raw nature all for yourself. Generally, a lot of people do rafting in the Zanskar river from Chiling to Nimmu.
How to reach Indus Zanskar Sangam?
The Indus Zanskar confluence is around 35 km away from the town of Leh towards Kargil, on the Leh – Kargil – Srinagar National Highway – 1D. It is located in what we have popularly known as Sham Valley.
By road – The easiest way to reach the Sangam of Indus and Zanskar rivers near Leh by road is hitting the Srinagar – Leh Highway if you are traveling by road from Delhi. You can reach Leh also by the Manali Leh Highway if you are traveling from the Manali side.
The state-run JKSRTC buses ply within the Ladakh region. You can also take your private vehicle (cars/bikes) to Sangam from Leh as well.
By air – The nearest airport is Leh Airport, which is well connected with some major airports in India, including New Delhi. From the airport, taxis can be hired to reach the hotel in Leh and then make a day trip to the confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers from Leh and back the next day after acclimatization.
By train – The nearest major railway station from Leh is Jammu Tawi, at a distance of 812 km from Leh. Taxis can be hired from the railway station to reach Leh over Srinagar Leh Highway in a 3-day journey with overnight halts at Srinagar and Kargil.
Joginder Nagar railway station is just 635 KM from Leh via Manali Leh Highway but is not a major one.
The roads to reach Ladakh via Srinagar and Manali are closed from November to May, because of heavy snow, therefore traveling via air is the only option to reach Leh and Sangam Valley in Ladakh (Leh) during this time.
Hence, the best time to visit this Zanskar and Indus meeting point is the same as the best time to visit Leh Ladakh, that is, from May to September / October when the roads to Leh Ladakh are open from Srinagar and Manali side.
The road from Leh to Nimmu to visit Confluence of Zanskar and Indus river is also open in the winter months. So, you can surely plan a trip to Sangam from Leh in the winter months as well. Please ensure that you are willing to endure the cold weather and want to witness the white beauty of Ladakh.
Where to stay?
There is only barren land around the confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers for miles, so a day trip is recommended with your base at Leh. You can visit Sangam on the same day you are planning to explore the local places in Sham Valley which include Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Basgo Plains, Alchi, and Likir monasteries or nearby monasteries from Leh.
Where to eat?
I will suggest that you have your meals at Nimmu village where there are plenty of local shops right on the road itself. Some do offer very nice and tasty local authentic Tibetan food as well as samosas. Nimmu village is pretty close to the Confluence of Indus and Zanskar Valley.
On the other hand, you can also plan to ride or drive to Chiling along the shores of the Zanskar river. Once you reach Chiling, there are a few tea shacks where you can enjoy a cup of tea and some quick meals.
Important tips
Travelers are advised to consult their doctors before commencing this journey because it can be tedious and demanding, and the climatic conditions can get extreme, especially in winters.
Besides being unbearably cold in the winter season, AMS (acute mountain sickness) is sure to hit even the most experienced travelers, as the altitude is high and vertiginous.
It is important to note that there are not many foods or stay options near the confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers, so I advise you to make a day trip from Leh and return by evening. Also, better stock enough food and water before your trip to the Sangam in case you do not like what is available at Nimmu village.
Mobile Network Connectivity
BSNL and Airtel postpaid numbers work fine in Ladakh, other networks do not get any reception. BSNL has the widest coverage and Reliance Jio has also begun its operation starting 2018.
Bike Ride near Indus Zanskar Sangam
Conclusion
The Indus Zanskar Confluence is said to be changing colors at different parts of the day, depending on the position of the Sun. Also, depending on the season, the confluence is an altogether different sight in different seasons. Like Magnetic Hill, often people pass by the confluence without perceiving or spotting it.
And yet, some don’t even know of the confluence, so they either stumble upon it by accident or simply return home, totally unaware of this awe-striking natural occurrence in the high mountains of Ladakh.
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Whatever be the case, the great Sangam of the two rivers, Indus and Zanskar, just cannot be missed. Besides the grandeur of the mountains, vivid landscapes, pristine lakes, and night skies that Ladakh has to offer, the Confluence of Zanskar and Indus rivers is yet another major attraction that one must have on their Ladakh trip must-visit list.
