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Le village de Photoksar

Photoksar

Le village de Photoksar

Photoksar: Leading the way to a new era of responsible tourism in Ladakh

Photoksar, perched high in the Chaîne du Zanskar, was once a cherished stop for trekkers exploring the Great Crossing of the Zanskar trek. Many travel books and blogs still recount the awe-inspiring beauty that greeted travelers arriving on foot. However, since the road reached the village in 2020, trekkers have moved on, causing a significant loss of income for the community. The new road brought a different kind of tourist – those who pause only for a quick selfie while traveling from Lamayuru or Leh to Padum, without bringing any benefits for Photoksar.

In 2022, Himalayan Ecotourism partnered with Photoksar’s residents to reimagine tourism in the village, launching a successful pilot project that will soon be replicated in other parts of Ladakh facing similar challenges.

Photoksar has transformed into a destination worth exploring for several days. The village now boasts five homestays and offers a wide range of activities, from trekking along a new route to Tso Marpo (Red Lake) to visiting the renovated monastery. Visitors can take Ladakhi cooking classes, watch traditional dances, and participate in village discussions to better understand the unique Ladakhi way of life.

Photoksar is also a perfect spot for observer les étoiles, faune observation, day hikes, and bénévole opportunities. There is electricity in Photoksar and there is a mobile tower (Jio) that offers a decent connectivity to the internet.

You can Contactez-nous to plan your trip to Photoksar. We collaborate closely with the Comité de développement touristique de Photoksar, which manages and monitors all tourism-related activities in the village. This partnership ensures that tourism contributes positively to the local community, helping to create a bright and sustainable future for Photoksar.

Map of Photoksar in Ladakh

Map of Photoksar in Ladakh

LADAKH – MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION OF PHOTOKSAR

Photoksar is located in the Western side of the Zanskar range and is accessible from Leh by taking the highway to Kargil, then turning left on the road to goes till Padum.

What to do in Photoksar ?

Photoksar offers a wealth of activities that immerse visitors in Ladakhi culture and its breathtaking natural surroundings.

  • Ladakhi Cooking Classes: Learn to make traditional dishes like momos and skew using locally sourced, organic ingredients, offering a genuine taste of Ladakh.
  • Tso Marpo Trek: Embark on an unforgettable trek to the remote Red Lake, a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. See the details of the trek.
  • Observation des étoiles: The clear skies reveal the brilliance of the Milky Way, which can be captured by any camera with a tripod. You might also witness countless falling stars.
  • Wildlife Observation: Spot Himalayan wildlife like wolves, brown bears, lynx, and ibex. For the lucky few visiting between December and March, there’s even a chance to spot the elusive snow leopard.
  • Cultural Experiences: Visit the recently renovated monastery or attend a traditional dance performance in the village, all while staying at one of the five homestays.
  • Day Hikes and Volunteering: Explore the surrounding mountains on hikes or contribute to local projects by volunteering.

Photoksar provides a unique blend of adventure, cultural exchange, and wildlife experiences, making it a destination worth spending time in.

Cultural program in Photoksar, Ladakh

Traditional dances
The youth club of Photoksar loves performing cultural programs for the visitors of their village.

Ladakhi cooking classes in Photoksar village, Ladakh

Cooking class

Learning how to make Chutagi, a typical dish in the Ladakhi villages

View of the mountains and and stupa at Photoksar, Ladakh

Photoksar Gompa

You will simply love a relaxing visit to the old monastery of Photoksar at the sunset

Les glaciers autour du Tso Marpo

Tso Marpo

One of the most stunning place of Ladakh to visit on foot !

The Photoksar Tourism Development Committee

Welcome to Photoksar
The Committee works on making their village a new destination of Ladakh

Since 2022, Himalayan Ecotourism has encouraged the villagers of Photoksar to come together to revitalize tourism for the benefit of the entire community. By 2023, they formally established the Photoksar Tourism Development Committee (PTDC) with Heco committed to promoting Photoksar and supporting the initiative.

The PTDC’s primary goal is to ensure that the income generated from tourism benefits the local villagers, with a system that guarantees a fair distribution of revenue among families. This helps preserve the village’s social harmony and protects it from the negative impacts of mass tourism. The committee records homestay stays and ensures a balanced rotation of guests, so each family has a fair opportunity to earn income during the tourist season.

Additionally, the PTDC has gained support from the local Panchayat and higher authorities to oversee the new trekking route to Tso Marpo, enforcing rules that preserve the fragile environment. Anyone wishing to trek to Tso Marpo must seek approval from the committee, which ensures that all ecological guidelines are respected, fostering sustainable tourism practices in Photoksar for the future.

How to get to Photoksar

From Leh, the journey to Photoksar takes about 5 hours by road. Begin by following the highway toward Khaltse, which is on the route to Kargil and Srinagar. Shortly before Lamayuru, take the newly constructed road on the left heading towards Padum. This scenic road follows the route of the historic trekking path that once connected Wanla to Padum.

On this drive, you’ll pass through Hanupatta village and cross the stunning Sirsir La Pass at 4,850 meters, offering breathtaking landscapes and where you might spot yaks and even herds of ibex. After crossing the pass, it’s a short 30-minute descent into the picturesque village of Photoksar.

As you descend into Photoksar, you’ll pass the valley leading to the beautiful Red Lake (Tso Marpo) on your right.

View of the mountains on the way to Photoksar village, Zanskar

On the way to Photoksar
The journey to Photoksar is a wonderful experience in itself.

Youthful Efforts Revitalize Drigung Temple in Photoksar

In the picturesque village of Photoksar, a dedicated youth club has successfully led the renovation of the ancient Drigung temple, a three-story structure that was on the brink of collapse. This magnificent temple, adorned with exquisite mid-18th century wall paintings, has been restored to its former glory through the tireless efforts of the local youth.

Challenges Overcome

The temple’s murals had suffered significant damage due to water ingress through a decayed roof, leading to decay, structural issues, and deterioration of the decorative surfaces. The youth club faced numerous challenges, including:

  • Accumulated surface deposits diminishing the vibrancy of the original colors
  • Water damage causing paint loss, mud deposition, and staining
  • Structural problems resulting in cracks, bulging plaster, and dislodged paint chunks
  • Previous restoration efforts that inadvertently covered original paint areas

Renovation Success

Despite these obstacles and without significant government support, the youth club persevered, working in challenging conditions to restore the temple. Their dedication has ensured the preservation of this cultural treasure, and the Drigung temple now stands revitalized, its beauty and historical significance reclaimed for future generations.

A Testament to Community Spirit

The renovated temple complex, situated against the stunning backdrop of the mountain, is now accessible via a safe and renovated path. The three chortens marking the entrance to the temple complex symbolize the triumph of community spirit and determination. The youth of Photoksar have set a remarkable example, demonstrating that collective efforts can achieve the extraordinary.

More photos of Photoksar

View from the Gompa at Photoksar, Ladakh

Monastery of Photoksar

The old monastery of Photoksar was renovated in just a couple of years by the Youth club of the village

Statues and paintings in the Gompa of Photoksar

Inside the monastery

Although the gompa is very small, it features beautiful wall paintings

View from a homestay in Photoksar

Famille d'accueil

View from the room in a homestay in Photoksar

Dinner in a homestay in Photoksar

Ladakhi stew

Proudly made exclusively with local ingredients from the village

Village de Photoksar avec champs d'orge, Ladakh

Le village de Photoksar

You can see the fields of barley irrigated by the river crossing the village

The valley leading to the Tso Marpo from Photoksar

On the way to Tso Marpo

This is the valley where we set up the basecamp for the tso Marpo trek

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