Sangam Point

About Sangam Point

One of the most arresting moils of nature in Ladakh is Sangam, the confluence Indus, and Zanskar Rivers. Nestled between the stunning mountains of the cold desert, there is a vantage point at about 35 km from Leh near the village of Nimmu, on the Leh to Srinagar Highway, where the picturesque Sangam of these opulent rivers travelers can be witness.

The Confluence – Indus & Zanskar

At times, at the Sangam, the Indus River can be seen as shiny blue while the Zanskar river is dirty green. In the summer season, Zanskar is swollen and rapid, while Indus is comparatively calmer. In the winters, it is quite the opposite. Zanskar slows down, its flow is light and is completely frozen at a lot of places, enabling the legendary Chadar Trek. While Indus flows fast, with ice floating on it.

Be it the summer or the winter season, the confluence of these two magnificent rivers is not a sight to be missed when you are in Ladakh. It is a remarkable depiction of nature’s subtle magical nuances.

Indus River

The Indus River is one of the longest rivers in Asia. It is one of the primary rivers, not just in Ladakh but in entire North India. It was the lifeline of the great Indus Valley civilization and the Harappan civilization of India. These civilizations are one of the most ancient, rich and planned civilizations mankind has ever witnessed.

The Indus Valley Civilization is known for its urban planning, the great bath, an elaborate drainage system, brick houses, and flourishing agriculture, owing all to the resourceful river. It was only when the Indus River changed its course over some time that the civilizations saw their demise.

Zanskar River

Zanskar river is one of the major tributaries of the Indus river only. It meets the Indus river at Nimmu village in Ladakh, a place popularly known as Sangam. However, the Zanskar River in itself is formed when the Doda River and Lungnak River meet together near Zanskar’s central valley.

The Doda River originates somewhere near Pensi La pass and flows towards Padum village in Zanskar Valley. On the other hand, the second tributary of the Zanskar river, the Lungnak River, is formed by the Kargyak river and Tsarap river.

Kargyak river originates near Shingo La pass which connects Himachal Pradesh with the Zanskar region. While Tsarap River has its source near Baralacha La pass on Manali Leh Highway. Both Kargyak River and Tsarap River meet near Purne village to give birth to the Lungnak River. You may also know Lungnak River by the names of Lingti River or Tsarap River too.