Sham Valley
{{Short description|Valley in the Himalayas}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2025}}
File:Confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers (2).JPG (from top) and the Indus (bottom flowing from left to right), 3 km southeast of Nimmu/Nimu/Nimoo village along NH1 Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Highway in Sham Valley in Ladakh, revered as a sacred prayag in Hinduism and Buddhism is a popular spot for photography, river rafting, etc.]]
Sham Valley, nicknamed the "Apricot Valley", is a Himalayan valley along the Indus River and NH1 - Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway{{citation|url=https://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/whats-it-like-to-drive-on-national-highway-1/amp_trphotostory/100869332.cms|title=NH 01|website=Times Of India|date=2023-06-23}}{{Cite web |last=Banerjee |first=Tania |date=2018-11-15 |title=Sham Valley Ladakh : A travel guide |url=https://azureskyfollows.com/sham-valley-ladakh/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Azure Sky Follows |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Srinagar-Leh Highway {{!}} Leh to Srinagar Highway {{!}} Go2Ladakh |url=https://www.go2ladakh.in/place-detail/srinagar-leh-travel-guide/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=www.go2ladakh.in}} in the Leh 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.{{citation|url=https://www.ju-lehadventure.com/trekking-ladakh/sham-valley|title=Sham valley travel guide|website=Ju Leh Adventure}}{{Cite web |last=Vargis.Khan |date=2021-07-18 |title=Sham Valley Ladakh - Travel Guide and Sightseeing |url=https://vargiskhan.com/log/plan-journey-sham-valley-ladakh/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Vargis Khan |language=en-US}} Likir village located in the valley is famous for its Buddhist Monastery.{{citation|url=https://taleof2backpackers.com/sham-valley-ladakh/|title=Trek to Sham valley|website=Tale of 2 Backpacers|date=2024-05-13|author= Agni and Amrita}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Ladakh Gets 5 New Districts: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra And Changthang |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ladakh-gets-5-new-districts-zanskar-drass-sham-nubra-and-changthang-6419637/amp/1 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=NDTV.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Vijaita |date=2024-08-26 |title=MHA announces five new districts in Ladakh: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ladakh/government-decides-to-create-five-new-districts-in-ladakh-says-amit-shah/article68567920.ece |access-date=2024-08-27 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}
Economy
Apricot is region's main crop.{{Cite web |title=Shaam Valley Ladakh |url=https://cliffhangersindia.com/sham-valley-ladakh/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Cliffhangers India |language=en-US}} For this reason the valley is called as 'Apricot valley'.{{Cite web |title=5 new districts in Ladakh that will come up in 2028 {{!}} Times of India Travel |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/5-new-districts-in-ladakh-that-will-come-up-in-2028/amp_trphotostory/112831364.cms |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}
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=
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Ladakh}}
{{Leh district}}