Kargil situated on the bank of river suru at altitude 2704 meters above sea level. 204 kms from Srinagar in the west and 234 kms from Leh in the east, mid way between Srinagar and Leh, is the second largest Urban center of Ladakh and headquarters of the district of the same name. it is an important junction of the historic route, leading of Kashmir, Baltistan, Afganistan, Central Asia, Sinkiang Tibet and via Janskar to Jammu and Himachal. It was continuous to be an important trade and tourism centre.

Drass: Drass gate way to Ladakh, Altitude 3,230 meters above sea level. 60 kms west of Kargil on the road to Srinagar, is a small township laying in the center of a valley of the same name. It has become famous as the second coldest inhabited place in the world. Its inhabitants are mainly of the Darad stock, an Aryan race belived to have a originally migrated to the high valleys of the western Himalayas.

Suru Valley: One of the most beautiful regions of Ladakh, the sure valley forms the mainstay of Kargil district. Laying nested along the northeastern foot hills of the great Himalayan wall. It extends from Kargil town, first south ward for a length of about 75 kms, 65kms upto the foot of the penzila water shed where the sure river rises. Mainly Tibeto-Darld descent are muslims who had converted their Buddhist faith around the middle of the 16th century A.D.
            The beauty of this region is further enhanced by the shier contrast provided by the towering peaks of Num 7135 meters and kum 7035 meters, which loom over the sky lines in the their crystalline majesty.

Rangdum: Situated 3,657 meters above the see level. The farthest and most isolated part of suru valley. Rangdum is an ellistically expanded plateu surrounded by colourful hills on one side and glacier-encrusted rocky mountains on the other. Situated 130 kms south-east of Kargil.

Janskar: About 20 kms, south-east of Rangdum stands the pazila, water shed across which lies Janskar. The Janskar river is mainly along the region’s 10,000 strong mainly Budhist population live spread over an estimated geographical area of 5000 sq.kms. Janskar is surrounded by high-rise mountains and deep gorges. The area remains in accessible for nearly 8 months a year.

Padum: Once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Zanskar, Padum situated 3505 meters abive sea level. Is the present day administrative head quarters of the region. Its old part comprising inter connected abode houses and several high rise chortens surround a boulder strewn hillock, site of erst while palace and fort it is only in padum that there is a community of muslims. Nearly half of the township’s population. There is a beautiful mosque.

Karsha: 17 kms from padum. The largest monastic establishment of Janskar, Karsha gompa is an imposing complex neatly white-washed abode blocks comprising several chapels, besides residential rooms for its nearly 150 resident monks. Built in Century A.D.

Bardan: 12 kms south of Padum, Bardam is an isolated monastery with about 40 drugpa (old school) monks in residence, founded during the 17th century A.D. Including the famous sani monastery.

Jangla: 35 kms from padum, Jangla was belong ruled by a Titular kings till his death a few years back. The old castle now in ruine except for a small clappel. Near by is an old nunnery worth of a visit for the austere life style of the small community of Nuns.

Phughthal: By for the most spectacularly located monastic establishment any where in Ladakh, the Phugthal complex spells out of the mouth of a huge cave  high up in the sheer mountainace of a lateral gorge through which a major tributary of the southern Lungnak river flows perphas the most isolated monastic built in 12th century A.D.

Jongkhul: The cave monastery of Jongkhu, situated like a swallows net on the rock face of the strin gorge, The monastery is associated by legend with the famous Indian yogi Naropa. The frescor on the cave walls are very old and reflect a high degree of artistic achievement. These are belived to the original murals executed by Jhadpa Dorje.