Kargil is a district in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. Situated in proximity to the Line of Control, the destination has Kashmir Valley to its south and Pakistan administered Kashmir's Baltistan in the west. It is known for its beautiful valleys, small towns, numerous monasteries, rural villages and shrines. It served as the battlefield during the India-Pakistan war in 1999.
The Sani Monastery is one of the prominent attractions of this district. This monastery was constructed by King Kanishka of the Kushan Dynasty in the 1st century. Operated and managed by the Drukpa Kargyu School of Tibetan Buddhism, the monastery is considered as one of the oldest religious sites in Ladakh and Zanskar.
The Mulbekh Monastery that stands on a huge rock base and has a 9 m high idol of Maitreya Buddha is another prime attraction of Kargil. Phokar, which lies close to the Shargole Monastery, can be reached by following the trek route that ends at the top of the hill. Considered as an ideal base for meditation, the place was visited by Padma Sambhava, a Buddhist saint, during the ancient times.
The Zanskar region, at an elevation ranging from 4,401 m to 4,450 m, is frequently visited by tourists. The Drang-Drung Glacier lies in the middle of the Suru Valley and is one of the prime attractions located on the way to Zanskar. The view of the Himalayan ranges and Kargil attracts several tourists to this site.
The Rangdum Monastery, Zongkhul Monastery and Stongday Monastery are other popular tourist attractions. Other attractions like the Phugthal Monastery, Karsha Monastery, Shargole Monastery and Starrimo Monastery at Padum in the vicinity of the destination can also be visited.
