Kargil Travel Guide
About Kargil:
Kargil (2740m), 204 km from Srinagar, is the second largest town of
Ladakh. It is also the headquarters of our destination, the district of
Kargil. A quiet town today Kargil was once witness to the most hectic
bartering among traders of different faiths and nationalities. Hundreds
of caravans carrying silks, ivory, carpets and precious stones to and
from China, Turkey, Yarkand, Afghanistan and India, passed through the
town. Several caravanserais, now rendered dangerous due to years of
disuse, can be seen in and around Kargil. Substitute travellers for
traders and Kargil's position as a resting place remains unaltered.
Tourists to Leh by road make a night halt at Kargil before starting on
the second leg of the journey.
Kargil town lies in the lower Suru basin. Two other rivers that meet
here are Drass and Wakha Chu. Visible all around are lush green fields
of barley and wheat, vegetable beds and rows of poplars and willows.
Kargil is famous for its apricots and mulberries. June presents a rare
sight of fragrant white apricot blossoms while in August, the ripening
fruit lends the countryside an orange hue.
Getting There:
The J&K SRTC operates regular buses (including deluxe coaches)
between Srinagar and Leh/Kargil. Cars and Jeep taxis can be hired at
Srinagar and Leh for Kargil. Local buses including mini coaches, for
Mulbek leaves Kagil every morning and afternoon. Cars and Jeep taxis can
be hired at Kargil for same day return trips. Srinagar is connected
properly with rest ofg the country through Air and Road network.
Tourist Attractions:
Mulbek Chamba:
The chief attraction of Mulbek is a 9 m high rock sculpture in deep
relief of Maitreya, the Future Buddha. Its excursion combines esoteric
Shaivite symbolism with early Buddhist art. Situated right on the
highway, it dates back to the period when Buddhists missionaries came
travelling east of the Himalayas.
Mulbek Gompa:
Perched atop a rocky cliff, Mulbek Gompa (monastery) dominates the
valley. It is easy to see why in bygone times this site served as an
outpost to guard the caravan route. Like all Buddhists monasteries it is
adorned by frescoes and statues.
Shergol:
Another picturesque village of the Wakha River valley, Shergol is
situated across the river, right of the Kargil-Leh road. The main
attraction is a cave monastery which is visible from a far as a white
speck against the vertically rising ochre hill from which it appears to
hang out. Below this small monastery is a larger Buddhist nunnery with
about a dozen incumbents. The village is accessible by the motorable
road that branches off from the Kargil-Leh road, about 5 km short of
Mulbek. Shergol is a convenient base for an exciting 4-day trek across
the mountain range into the Suru valley. It is also the approach base
for visiting Urgyan-Dzong, a meditation retreat lying deep inside the
mountains surrounding the Wakha River valley.
