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Kargil, the second town of Ladakh, is situated on the Suru
River which flows at around 10,000 feet hight. 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. 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.
This area lies just behind the Zoji La Pass, and the center is
Kargil, a small town with cobbled streets surrounded by apricot
groves. Good panoramas of the Himalaya can be obtained on 03-04
day treks from Sanko to Drass via Umba, and on the more
demanding Sanko to Mulbek via the Wakka La Pass at 4,930m.
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. Tourists
to Leh by road make a night halt at Kargil before starting on
the second leg of the journey.
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