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Location: Ladakh Region, J&K
Indus Valley Trek
Tour Package
Main Rivers Of The Valleys: Shyok
River & Indus River
 The
Shyok River receives the waters of the Nubra and Changchenmo rivers.
It rises from the Khumdang glacier, which can be approached from
Shyok. The Shyok River takes a southerly course after it is joined by
the Nubra River and thereafter the Shyok flows into the Indus at Keris.
The river freezes in winter, thus forming an easy access between the
Khaplu and the Nubra valleys. In summer, as the snowmelts in the
uplands, the river overflows its banks and inundates the surrounding
plain for many kilometers, at times creating a vast marsh. During this
period, the Shyok River has to be crossed on rafts of inflated skin.
An Ancient Route Of Death
The Shyok Valley is the valley of the Shyok River -- the river of
death. This is a "Yarkandi" (Central Asian) name, probably given by
the Central Asian traders who ventured on this treacherous route for
centuries and perished. The entire northern area -- the region of the
Karakoram -- has names related to death. It is evident that this was a
part of the ancient trade route from Yarkand (Central Asia) to Ladakh,
where many died and only the hardiest survived. The entire route
towards the Karakoram Pass is littered with the bones of these
travellers.
THE INDUS VALLEY
Indus is a large valley formed by the main channel of the Indus River
as it flows across Ladakh. It includes parts of Leh district, the
Skardu region and the vast cold desert beyond. This valley consists of
large stretches of undulating lands interspersed by high mountains
across which there are many passes.
The Indus Valley is the soul of Ladakh and is strategically the most
important part. Its borders touch those of Pakistan, Afghanistan,
China and India.
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