Drang Drung Glacier
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Drang Drung Glacier

180 km from Kargil, just past Pensi La

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About Drang Drung Glacier

At ~23 km long, Drang Drung is the second-largest glacier in Ladakh — a sweeping river of ice visible right from the road as you cross into Zanskar.

History & significance

Drang Drung is the source of the Stod (Doda) river, one of the two streams that form the Zanskar river. It has been a sacred and feared landscape for Zanskari communities, who watched it from Pensi La for centuries.

Travel tips

  • Best views are from the Pensi La viewpoint.
  • Do not attempt to walk on the glacier without a mountaineering guide.
  • Combine with a Zanskar trip; standalone visits are not worth the drive.
  • Carry sunglasses — the glare off the ice is intense.

Nearby attractions

Pensi LaRangdum MonasteryPadumSuru Valley

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