Travel The Himalayas

Suru Valley : National Geographic One of the 25 Best Places to Visit in 2025

There lies in Ladakh a Valley which till sometime back was hardly known by many and a Valley which to me has always been one of the most beautiful parts of Ladakh. A Frontier in Himalayan geography where the Trans Himalayan splendour of Ladakh meets the divine beauty of the exalted Vale of Kashmir. The Valley I'm talking about is the Suru Valley which lies to the East of Kargil Town and to the West of the Valley of Zanskar. It stretches all the way from almost Kargil Town to Parkachik on the Road to Pensi La and further to Zanskar. And now finally it has got some recognition as National Geographic has named the Suru Valley as one of the Destinations to visit in 2025.

One of the factors that make this Valley interesting is that its bounded on one side by the Main Great Himalayan Range and on the other side by the Zanskar Range which is the first Range as we enter the Trans Himalayan Region. As a result the Peaks on both sides are much more Vertical and Craggy and Snow clad then in other parts of Ladakh. The usual approach is via Kargil when you get off the main Highway and take a right turn along the Suru River if you are coming from the Kashmir side towards Leh. There is also a more adventurous Road which connects Suru Valley directly with Drass via the Umba La Pass. and the ofcourse you can from Lahaul side by taking the Shinku La to Zanskar and then via Pensi La into the Suru Valley. And nowadays the fastest way is from Srinagar and you can get to Suru is around 5 Hours.

Suru Valley itself is endowed with beauty which is hard to explain except with some Photographs. The Road runs alongside the Suru Valley in parts and through small Villages which dot this Valley. One of the grandest sights in all of the Western Himalayas has to be that of the mighty Nun Kun Peaks which were the highest Peaks in the main Himalayan Range in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir at over 7000 meters. The whole Valley infact has quite a verdant look in the Summers as the elevation in the Valley ranges between 9000 ft to 10000 ft which is on the lower side by Ladakh standards. Leh for example is 11500 feet. 

In recent years Suru Valley has also become a destination for Rock Climbers and Trekkers and opportunities for both these Adventure activities are almost endless in the Suru Valley. Suru Valley was a part of the old Trade which connected Suru with Warwan Valley in Kishtwar, with Kashmir, with Zanskar as well as other parts of Ladakh to the North of Suru. The Classical Suru Warwan Trek is based on one such Trade Route across the Bhot Kol Pass / Lonvilad Gali and this Trek which takes one across the Great Himalayan Range is one of the most stunning Treks on the Planet and this Trek is once again featured by a number Companies.

We are also starting a Classical Tour for people who cant / dont want to Trek but still want to visit these Regions and we combine a Trip to Suru Valley with a Trip to the equally stunning Warwan Valley in Kishtwar in the Jammu Division while cutting across the Kashmir Valley. A Unique way to experience Kashmir, Ladakh and Jammu. The Trip is called the Nun Kun Escapade as its visible both while getting into the Warwan Valley as well as in the Suru Valley.