Dras Valley
The Dras Valley is an enchanting valley formed by the Dras River which rises in the Machoi glacier near the famous Zozila Pass. The river is joined in its course by many other rivers and streams flowing in from snowfields in the nearby mountains. The river Shigar flowing in from the north drains an adjoining part of the Dras Valley . In summer, as the snow in the upland smelts, the volume of this river rises considerably.
Salt Lake Valley With a length of about 20 km and a maximum width of about 7 km, The Salt Lake Valley is one of the widest open areas in Rupshu. Its average elevation is 5,000 m and can be approached from Leh across the Tanglang La pass. Thuggi is the main settlement of the Salt Lake Valley . There are two lakes in this valley -- the fresh water Panluk Lake with an area of about 2 square kilometers and the salt-water Tsokar Lake with an area of about 10 square kilometers.
Shyok Valley
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. Rising 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 . Nubra and Changchenmo rivers fill the waters of Shylok River .
