Zanskar’s topography is overwhelmingly vertical. The valley floor itself sits at an average elevation of 3,500 to 4,000 meters (11,500 to 13,100 feet). From this high baseline, the terrain shoots upward to dramatic peaks, the highest of which is the Nun Kun massif on the region's western edge, rising to 7,135 meters (23,409 feet).
The landscape is characterized by U-shaped glaciated valleys, jagged mountain ridgelines, sweeping scree slopes, and deep river canyons. The Zanskar Gorge is one of the most prominent topographical features, featuring near-vertical rock walls. High mountain passes, notably the Pensi La (4,400 meters / 14,436 feet) and the Shingo La (5,091 meters / 16,703 feet), serve as the historic and modern gateways into the valley.
