Sham Valley
Sham Valley, nicknamed the "Apricot Valley",[1] is a Himalayan valley along the Indus River and NH1 - Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway[2][3][4] in the Sham district[5] of the Indian Union Territory of Ladakh.[6] The valley is located around 170 kilometres from Kargil and 180 kilometres from the Ladakh's capital Leh.[7] The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh.
The valley, which starts from Spituk and also includes area till Lamayouro, is well-known amongst trekkers.[6] The valley is 32 km long and it takes 4-5 days to complete the trek. The maximum elevation is 3874 metres.[7][8] Likir village located in the valley is famous for its Buddhist Monastery.[6]
History
[edit]On 16 August 2024, the Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah announced the creation of five new districts in Ladakh including Sham valley.[5][9]
Economy
[edit]Apricot is region's main crop.[10] For this reason the valley is called as 'Apricot valley'.[1]
Villages
[edit]- Alchi
- Bazgoo
- Giramangu
- Lamayouro
- Likir
- Saspochey
- Suspol
- Hemis Shukpachan
- Tingmosgang
- Uleytokpo
- Yangthang
Major tourist attractions
[edit]- Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
- Magnetic Hill
- Confluence of Indus River and Zanskar River
- Basgo Monastery
- Likir Monastery
- Alchi Monastery
- Rizong Monastery
- Lamayuru Monastery
- Saspol Caves
- Mangyu temple complex
Images
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Indus_Zanskar_confluence.jpg/220px-Indus_Zanskar_confluence.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Alchi.jpg/220px-Alchi.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Basgo_Castle_%26_Monastery_15.jpg/220px-Basgo_Castle_%26_Monastery_15.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Wall_Painting_in_Saspol_cave_DSCN7057_5.jpg/220px-Wall_Painting_in_Saspol_cave_DSCN7057_5.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Pathar_sahib_Gurudwara_1.jpg/220px-Pathar_sahib_Gurudwara_1.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Rizong-gompa-1.jpg/220px-Rizong-gompa-1.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/Yungdrung_Gompa_-_Lamayuru_%2810000019984%29.jpg/220px-Yungdrung_Gompa_-_Lamayuru_%2810000019984%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Mangyu_Gompa_%26_Vairochana_Temple_02.jpg/220px-Mangyu_Gompa_%26_Vairochana_Temple_02.jpg)
References
[edit]- ^ a b "5 new districts in Ladakh that will come up in 2028 | Times of India Travel". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ "NH 01", Times Of India, 2023-06-23
- ^ Banerjee, Tania (2018-11-15). "Sham Valley Ladakh : A travel guide". Azure Sky Follows. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ "Srinagar-Leh Highway | Leh to Srinagar Highway | Go2Ladakh". www.go2ladakh.in. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ a b "Ladakh Gets 5 New Districts: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra And Changthang". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ a b c Agni and Amrita (2024-05-13), "Trek to Sham valley", Tale of 2 Backpacers
- ^ a b "Sham valley travel guide", Ju Leh Adventure
- ^ Vargis.Khan (2021-07-18). "Sham Valley Ladakh - Travel Guide and Sightseeing". Vargis Khan. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Singh, Vijaita (2024-08-26). "MHA announces five new districts in Ladakh: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ "Shaam Valley Ladakh". Cliffhangers India. Retrieved 2024-08-27.