Zanskar River originates from the north-facing slopes of the Great Himalayan Ranges. It is popularly known as Tsarap Chu among the natives of the Himalayas. Counted among the largest tributaries of the Indus River, the river enters the region by feeding another channel flowing in from the north-western side.Due to the glaciers, the entire area of the river has been transformed into a U-shaped valley. Tsarap Chu, a tributary of Zanskar River, joins the main river near Padam, while the Doda River is another snow-fed stream that passes through the region. Tourists can also visit the Abring and the Padam villages that are situated around the river.