The Suru Valley is one of the most beautiful areas of Ladakh and a rather recent addition to the tourism map of Ladakh. This valley runs for 140 km beyond Kargil to the Penzi la pass which is the entry point into the Zanskar Valley. The hills of Suru Valley are cultivated intensively than anywhere else in Ladakh. Enough snow and water during the winters and fertile land makes it possible to yield two crops annually. The valleys are especially picturesque in spring when the apple, apricot and mulberry trees are all in bloom and in autumn when they are laden with fruits. At Thangbu, a little village, the traveler gets a first glimpse of the spectacular Nun (7135 m) – Kun(7935m) massif. Pahikhar, about 12 kms. away is the base for treks to Kashmir and Kishtwar. The road goes past the glaciers of the Nun-Kun massif to descend to Rangdum gompa with a little stream forming a moat around it, looks like

an ancient fort protecting the valley. Only the basic accommodation is available at most of the tourist spots of Suru Valley.

Sankoo, Panikhar, Rangdum and Padm in the Suru and Zanskar Valleys are the base for a variety of trekking routes. The Suru Valley covers the catchment area of the famous Suru River. Suru river originates from the Panzella glacier. Before it joins the Indus River at Nurla it is joined by numerous tributaries, including the Dras River at Kharul. Suru Valley forms the mainstay of Kargil district. The valley is nestled along the north-eastern foothills of the Himalayan range and from Kargil. People living in Suru Valley are mainly of Tibet and Darad descent - most of them converted their religion in the 16th century. The beauty of this Suru Valley region is further added by two towering peaks of Kun (7035 m) and Nun (7135 m) which loom over the skyline. The general topography and mountains in most of the areas in Ladakh differs from the Suru Valley as Suru Valley is relatively more fertile extending from the Panzella glacier to south of Kargil town. In Kargil the Suru River merges with the Botkul River which originates from the Botkul glacier.

The average altitude of the Suru valley is 3,000 m. Winters are extreme and heavy snowfalls are normal. Still the conditions in the Suru Valley do not become as adverse in as the Dras Valley. The winters begin around mid-November and end in May. During winter, most of the valley is covered with a thick layer of snow. The interesting development can be observed as the water starts melting in the month of may. During the first melting process one can see the dark color which is obtained by the water and after it takes the blue and green colour. In the month of September the water reflects the best color and at the same time as it starts getting cooler again the melting of the snow is also slowed down thus water quantity becomes less. One of the factor that the Suru Valley is fertile if compared with the other parts of Ladakh is that summer lasts here longer than in other parts. Agriculture is the main activity of the local economy and also the main source of income for local people of the valley. In some parts of the valley two crops can be yielded each year unlike in other parts of Ladakh where sometimes it is difficult to have even a single crop in the year. Main crops of the Suru Valley are wheat, barley and millets. Some initiatives have been taken to improve the wheat quality which has increased the production of cereals. Some of the vegetables grown here are turnip, radish, peas and black peas. Grapes, apricots and melons are produced in fairly large quantities at Darchik and Garkoon along the lower course of the Indus through Ladakh. These find a ready market in Kargil. Liquor is made from grapes.

Kargil is situated at an altitude of 204 kms from Srinagar in the west and 234 kms from Leh in the east. Kargil is the second largest urban centre of Ladakh and headquarters of the Kargil district. Kargil is situated in Suru Valley where the Suru river flows and meets the Indus at a place called Marul. A quite town now, Kargil once served as an important trade and transit centre in the Pan-Asian trade network that leads to Kashmir, Balitistan, Afghanistan, Central Asia and Tibet. Even after 1949, when the central Asian trade was ceased and trade was not taking place any more through the old caravan route, the goods like silk, brocade, carpets, felts, tea, poppy, ivory were available in the local market. Kargil is the second largest town in Ladakh after Leh and it is like an mid way point on the long journey from Srinagar to Leh. Kargil is

also the main take off point for excursions and trekking into the Suru Valley and to the area of Zanskar Valley with their exciting opportunities for mountaineering, camping, river rafting and trekking trails into Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and the Indus Valley. The town is rather conservative and highly dominated by Balti Shia Muslim culture and has two mosques built in the Turkish style.

Being a part of Suru Valley, Kargil is green and the hill sides are richly cultivated. The two tributaries of the River Suru, the Drass and Wakha meet at Kargil. There are pretty walks around the town with breathtaking views of the mountains. There are only few villages in this valley at a height of 9000 feet. The valley has less snow in winter and the ultra-violet rays are stronger as compared to other parts of Ladakh. This explains also the abundance of fruit trees, like mulberry and apricot. Willows and poplars can also be seen at the water courses. 

For the tourists who start their journey in Srinagar by road it becomes mandatory after a tortuous drive to have a stop at Kargil, the second largest town of Ladakh. To cater for the demanding and luxury tourists there are not enough good hotels but many small establishments are available. The broad area of Kargil and its wide terraces are separated from the Mulbekh valley by the 12 km long Wakha Gorge. Many of the trekking expeditions starting from Kargil lasts for 7 to 12 days. The mountaineering excursions are also organized to climb the Nun and Kun, both over 7,000 meter high.

On the Kargil – Leh road there is a picturesque village Shergol situated in the Wakha River valley. The main attraction of this village is a cave monastery which is visible from quite far. The village is approachable by a motorable road from the main Kargil-Leh road, almost 5 kms prior to Mulbek. Shergol is also base for the 4 days trek across the mountain range into the Suru valley.