Padum – one of Zanskar's highlights
Sitting in the middle of the remote Zanskar Valley and surrounded by mountains, Padum is the historic heart of the Zanskar region. It’s a long way from anywhere, and that remoteness is a big part of what makes it special. There’s no rush here - life carries on at its own pace, and after days of riding through some pretty amazing Himalayan countryside, it’s a good place to slow down for a while.
Padum is a town with a rich cultural heritage influenced by both it’s mix of Muslim and Tibetan Buddhist people. Sitting high on the hill above the guest house, 1000 year old Karsha Monastery is the largest Buddhist monastery in the Zankar Valley and a special part of the Padum experience for our clients. We encourage people to walk up to the monastery and admire the views back down over the valley. For an experience that you wont forget, visit the monastery at dawn when you will be able to sit and listen to the monks chanting. If you’re lucky they’ll even invite you in for a cup of tea and a chapati. The Buddhist culture here isn’t something put on for tourists - it’s very much part of everyday life and you'll see prayer flags and prayer wheels throughout the village.
While in Padum we stay in a friendly local homestay right beside the river and tucked underneath Karsha Monastery. It’s not fancy, and that’s exactly what we like about it. The family who run the guest house are incredibly welcoming and the warmth of Zanskari hospitality will be evident when you’re fed ample servings of delicious home-style cooking. Keep an eye out for yak butter tea over breakfast - it’s a local specialty (and acquired taste!).
There isn’t a long list of things you need to see or do in Padum and that’s probably what we like most about it. You can walk near the river, wander around the village, have a cup of chai, chat with the super-friendly locals or just sit on the rooftop of the guest house and enjoy the views. Padum is a place worth spending a bit of time in, rather than simply passing through and that's why we stay two nights here on our Himalayan tours. The combination of the incredible scenery, the people and the slower pace makes it feel a world away from everyday life.
