How To Reach Zanskar

How to Reach Zanskar, Ladakh, India

By Flight

The nearest airport to Zanskar is the Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) in Leh, Ladakh. From Leh, one needs to take a road journey to reach Zanskar.

By Train

The nearest major railway station to Ladakh is the Jammu Tawi Railway Station (JAT). From Jammu, travelers can hire a taxi or take a bus to Srinagar or Kargil, and then proceed to Zanskar by road.

By Road

Zanskar Valley is accessible by road from Kargil, and the road is usually open between June and September. Outside these months, Zanskar is mostly cut off due to heavy snow.

Reaching Zanskar from India's Top 10 Cities

1. Mumbai:
   • Flight: Mumbai to Leh; distance approx. 1,730 km.
   • Train to Jammu: Approx. 2,100 km. Then, road journey to Zanskar.
   • Road: Mumbai > Udaipur > Delhi > Srinagar > Kargil > Zanskar; total approx. 3,000 km.
2. Delhi:
   • Flight: Delhi to Leh; distance approx. 610 km.
   • Train to Jammu: Approx. 600 km. Then, road to Zanskar.
   • Road: Delhi > Jammu > Srinagar > Kargil > Zanskar; total approx. 1,230 km; stop over in Srinagar recommended.
3. Kolkata:
   • Flight: Kolkata to Leh; distance approx. 1,670 km.
   • Train to Jammu: Approx. 2,028 km. Then, road to Zanskar.
   • Road: Kolkata > Varanasi > Delhi > Srinagar > Kargil > Zanskar; total approx. 2,420 km; stop over in Varanasi and Delhi recommended.
4. Chennai:
   • Flight: Chennai to Leh; distance approx. 2,370 km.
   • Train to Jammu: Approx. 2,930 km. Then, road to Zanskar.
   • Road: Not recommended due to extreme distance.
5. Bangalore:
   • Flight: Bangalore to Leh; distance approx. 2,310 km.
   • Train to Jammu: Approx. 2,900 km. Then, road to Zanskar.
   • Road: Not recommended due to extreme distance.
6. Hyderabad:
   • Flight: Hyderabad to Leh; distance approx. 1,880 km.
   • Train to Jammu: Approx. 2,000 km. Then, road to Zanskar.
   • Road: Not recommended due to extreme distance.
7. Ahmedabad:
   • Flight: Ahmedabad to Leh; distance approx. 1,260 km.
   • Train to Jammu: Approx. 1,400 km. Then, road to Zanskar.
   • Road: Ahmedabad > Udaipur > Delhi > Srinagar > Kargil > Zanskar; total approx. 2,200 km; stop over in Udaipur and Delhi recommended.
8. Pune:
   • Flight: Pune to Leh; distance approx. 1,830 km.
   • Train to Jammu: Approx. 2,000 km. Then, road to Zanskar.
   • Road: Pune > Udaipur > Delhi > Srinagar > Kargil > Zanskar; total approx. 2,900 km; stop over in Udaipur and Delhi recommended.
9. Surat:
   • Flight: Surat to Leh; distance approx. 1,450 km.
   • Train to Jammu: Approx. 1,300 km. Then, road to Zanskar.
   • Road: Surat > Udaipur > Delhi > Srinagar > Kargil > Zanskar; total approx. 2,200 km; stop over in Udaipur and Delhi recommended.
10. Jaipur:
    • Flight: Jaipur to Leh; distance approx. 945 km.
    • Train to Jammu: Approx. 875 km. Then, road to Zanskar.
    • Road: Jaipur > Delhi > Srinagar > Kargil > Zanskar; total approx. 1,450 km; stop over in Delhi recommended.

Please note that while there are road distances mentioned for travel from various cities to Zanskar, the trip is quite arduous and is usually done in multiple legs with several stopovers, depending on the traveller's pace and road conditions. The availability of direct flights from these cities to Leh also depends on airline schedules which are subject to change.