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Swadesh Darshan-Kargil

About Swadesh Darshan 2.0

The Ministry of Tourism has revamped the scheme and launched Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with a holistic mission to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations across the country.

Based on the detailed review, the Ministry has revamped the scheme. With the mantra of ‘vocal for local’, the revamped scheme namely Swadesh Darshan 2.0 seeks to attain “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” by realizing India’s full potential as tourism destination. Swadesh Darshan 2.0 is a generational shift to evolve Swadesh Darshan Scheme as a holistic mission to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations covering tourism and allied infrastructure, tourism services, human capital development, destination management and promotion backed by policy and institutional reforms.

 

Kargil: Ladakh’s best kept secret

The name Kargil is believed to be derived from ‘Gar khil’, which means ‘meeting place’. Historically, Kargil was known as Purig and is the westernmost region of the vast Tibetan plateau. Some parts of Kargil are at relatively lower elevation and receive the moisture that manages to cross the mighty Himalayan mountain ranges that rings Ladakh in the west and south. These parts of Kargil are more productive for agriculture, vegetables, fruits and plants than other parts of Ladakh.

 

Reaching Kargil

TOurist

The easiest way to reach Kargil is by road. The nearest airports are in Srinagar (204 km) and Leh (225 km), which are connected by commercial flights to Delhi and other cities in India. The drive from Leh to Kargil is scenic and travels along the historical route that was used to

travel between Kashmir and Ladakh. The daily Srinagar-Kargil bus service operates only in the summer, while the daily Leh-Kargil service operates throughout the year. Once Zoji-la is blocked by snow in the winter, Kargil can only be reached by road from Leh. Alternatively, there are several tr

ekking routes from Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Leh district to different parts of Kargil. Most of these routes can only be traversed in summer, while the famous Chadder trek (over the frozen Zangskar river) can only be used at the peak of winter.

There are regular bus services to most parts of Kargil district from Kargil town. However, the frequency of this service is infrequent for distant locations such as Padum—and in the case of Zangskar is subject to Penzi-la being open for vehicular traffic. The most convenient way of getting around Kargil district is by a hired taxi, who have a fixed rate for different routes. One can also bring their own private vehicle in the summer, when the mountain passes are open for traffic. However, driving on mountain roads requires special skill and awareness of driving etiquette. In this regard, hiring a taxi is a better option for commuting within the district and to areas outside.

 

 

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NIDHI (https://nidhi.tourism.gov.in/)

NIDHI is an initiative towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat to use technology to empower businesses. NIDHI aspires to become a gateway to opportunities for the Hospitality & Tourism Industry. Stakeholders like Accommodation Units, Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Independent Restaurants etc. will be able to register their entities on this platform and avail electronic delivery of various services and benefits through a Unique NIDHI ID (NID) allocated to them.

NIDHI will also serve as a platform for the Hospitality organisations to ideate, share best practices and connect with the Government for ease of doing business.

 

https://utsav.gov.in/

  • Drass Drass has become an important halting place for travellers going to Leh and Kargil. There is a Tourist compex with Tourist Office and Accommodation blocks. There are a number of Hotels and tea stalls are in Drass. One can have superb views of War Time Hill features like Tiger Hill and Tololing from here. Goashan:- A […]
  • Suru Valley Sankoo:- At a distance of 40kms from Kargil town  Suru Valley is a beautiful destination with green land scape and dense plantation and is also the base for four days trek to Shargole via Rusilla and Sapi and three days pleasure trek to Drass via Umballa. Famous for nearby  Bamiyan Type Rock statue. Purtikchey:- At […]
  • Shargole Mulbek Monestry:- The monastery or gonpa perched atop a rocky hill that dominates the valley and in the past it served as an outpost to guard the carvan route between Kashmir and Ladakh. Cave Monastery of Shargol  There is an impressive Cave monastery    in a cliff at Shargole which is a important tourist attraction. Fokar-Urgiyan Rzong:- […]
  • Zanskar Two small, turquoise, high altitude lakes with camping sites, and views of the surrounding permafrost mountains are the highlights of the Penzi La pass, which is 160 Km from Kargil and at an altitude of 4,401 to 4,450 meters, the highest point on the Kargil – Zanskar road. This pass is more of a table […]
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Kargil’s cultural calendar includes several important festivals. These festivals provide an opportunity to sample ethnic food, observe local dances and music and understand the diversity of Ladakhi culture.

Festivals Calender 2024Fesitval

January (3rd week) Mamani Food Festival

March 21  Nawroze

June-July Ladakh Festival, Kargil

July/August Apricot Festival (Kargil)

July 12-13 Stongdey Gustor (Zangskar)

July 21-22 Karsha Gustor (Zangskar)

July26   Vijay Diwas (Drass)

August 6-7 Sani Nasjal (Zangskar)

September Ladakh Festival, Leh

November Bon-onah festival

Celebration of Kargil Ladakh Festival – 29th and 30th June 2024

Altitude and health-related precautions

Tourist

 

Kargil district is located at an average altitude of over 2

,700m above mean sea level. Though marginally lower than Leh district, Kargil’s altitude is significantly higher than Kashmir and the Indian sub-continental plains. Though most people do not experience symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) in Kargil, many trekking routes are located at much higher elevations. It’s therefore a good idea to be cautious and be alert for symptoms of AMS. The most common symptoms of AMS are headache, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, coughing, irregular breathing, and inability to concentrate. One should avoid smoking tobacco, alcohol and caffeine-based drinks as they dehydrate the body and interfere with the process of acclimatisation. It’s important to get as much rest as possible for the first 24 to 48 hours after arrival in Ladakh. High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPO) and High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACO) are serious forms of AMS, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Kargil has a District Hospital and an army hospital, which are equipped to provide medical aid. The best way to acclimatise is to ascent gradually. Kargil town’s moderate elevation makes it an ideal place to help your body acclimatise, even as you enjoy Purigi hospitality.

 

  • Traditional
  • Chiktan Khar
  • Cave Monastery at Shargole
  • Maitriya Buddha at Mulbekh
  • Nun Kun
  • Balti
  • Nun Kun
  • Phugtal
  • RANGDUM Zanskar
  • PenzilaLake
  • Wildlife
  • Wild Tulip
  • Butkila
  • CHADDAR
  • River Rafting Drass
  • Polo Kargil
  • Crossing Kanji
  • 09 Eco Log Huts at Choskore Thang Panikhar
  • Valley
  • SANKOO Village
  • memorial
  • Glacier
  • RANGDUM Zanskar