Sham Valley Explained

Sham Valley, nicknamed the "Apricot Valley", is a Himalayan valley along the Indus River and NH1 - Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway^{[1] [2]} in the Sham district of the Indian Union Territory of Ladakh. The valley is located around 170 kilometres from Kargil and 180 kilometres from the Ladakh's capital Leh. 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. The valley is 32 km long and it takes 4-5 days to complete the trek. The maximum elevation is 3874 metres.^[3] Likir village located in the valley is famous for its Buddhist Monastery.

History

On 16 August 2024, the Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah announced the creation of five new districts in Ladakh including Sham valley.^{[4] [5]}

Economy

Apricot is region's main crop.^[6] For this reason the valley is called as 'Apricot valley'.^[7]

Villages

• Alchi
• Bazgoo
• Giramangu
• Lamayouro
• Likir
• Saspochey
• Suspol
• Hemis Shukpachan
• Tingmosgang
• Uleytokpo
• Yangthang

Major tourist attractions

• 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

Notes and References

1. Web site: Banerjee . Tania . 2018-11-15 . Sham Valley Ladakh : A travel guide . 2024-08-27 . Azure Sky Follows . en-US.
2. Web site: Srinagar-Leh Highway Leh to Srinagar Highway Go2Ladakh . 2024-08-27 . www.go2ladakh.in.
3. Web site: Vargis.Khan . 2021-07-18 . Sham Valley Ladakh - Travel Guide and Sightseeing . 2024-08-27 . Vargis Khan . en-US.
4. Web site: Ladakh Gets 5 New Districts: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra And Changthang . 2024-08-27 . NDTV.com . en.
5. News: Singh . Vijaita . 2024-08-26 . MHA announces five new districts in Ladakh: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang . 2024-08-27 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
6. Web site: Shaam Valley Ladakh . 2024-08-27 . Cliffhangers India . en-US.
7. Web site: 5 new districts in Ladakh that will come up in 2028 Times of India Travel . 2024-08-27 . timesofindia.indiatimes.com.