Nubra Valley: A Guide to the Land of High Passes and Sand Dunes

Nubra Valley is a popular tourist destination in Ladakh, India, that is known for its scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and adventure activities. Nubra Valley is also called the Land of High Passes and Sand Dunes, as it is located at an elevation of about 10,000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and desert landscapes. Nubra Valley is divided by the Shyok and Nubra rivers, which create fertile valleys and green oases in the otherwise arid region.

In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to Nubra Valley, including the best time to visit, how to reach, where to stay, what to do, and what to see. Whether you are looking for adventure, nature, culture, or relaxation, Nubra Valley has something for everyone. Read on to discover the wonders of Nubra Valley and plan your trip to this amazing destination.

Best Time to Visit Nubra Valley

Nubra Valley has a cold and dry climate, with long and harsh winters and short and pleasant summers. The average temperature in Nubra Valley ranges from -4°C to 30°C, depending on the season and altitude. The rainfall and snowfall are rare and unpredictable, but they can affect the road conditions and accessibility of Nubra Valley.

The best time to visit Nubra Valley depends on your preferences and interests, but generally, the peak season is from June to September, when the weather is sunny and warm, and the flowers are in full bloom. This is also the time when most of the festivals and events take place in Nubra Valley, such as the Losar festival in February, the Dosmoche festival in March, and the Ladakh festival in September.

How to Reach Nubra Valley

Nubra Valley is about 150 km away from Leh, the capital of Ladakh, and can be reached by various modes and routes, such as by air, by road, and by rail. Here are some of the options and details of reaching Nubra Valley:

By air: The fastest and easiest way to reach Nubra Valley is by air, as you can fly from Delhi to Leh, and then take a helicopter or a taxi from Leh to Nubra Valley. The flight from Delhi to Leh takes about an hour and a half, and the helicopter or taxi from Leh to Nubra Valley takes about an hour.

By road: The most common and popular way to reach Nubra Valley is by road, as you can drive or ride from Leh to Nubra Valley via the Khardung La pass, which is the highest motorable road in the world. The drive or ride from Leh to Nubra Valley takes about four to five hours, and the distance is about 150 km.

By rail: The cheapest and most eco-friendly way to reach Nubra Valley is by rail, as you can take a train from Delhi to Jammu, and then take a bus or a taxi from Jammu to Leh, and then from Leh to Nubra Valley. The train from Delhi to Jammu takes about 10 to 12 hours, and the bus or taxi from Jammu to Leh takes about two to three days, and from Leh to Nubra Valley takes about four to five hours.

What to Do in Nubra Valley

Nubra Valley is a paradise for adventure seekers and nature lovers, as it offers a range of activities and experiences that will make your trip memorable and exciting. Here are some of the best things to do in Nubra Valley:

1. Bactrian Camel Safari

One of the most unique and popular things to do in Nubra Valley is to ride a Bactrian camel, which is a rare and endangered species of camel that has two humps and can survive in extreme climates. The Bactrian camel safari takes you through the Hunder sand dunes, which are a contrast to the snow-capped mountains and the green valleys of Nubra Valley. The Bactrian camel safari is available from 9 am to 6 pm, and the cost is about Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 per person, depending on the duration and distance.

2. Quad Biking

Another adventurous and exciting thing to do in Nubra Valley is to ride a quad bike, which is a four-wheeled vehicle that can traverse any terrain and speed. The quad biking takes you through the rugged and rocky trails of Nubra Valley, which are a challenge and a thrill for any rider. The quad biking is available from 10 am to 5 pm, and the cost is about Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000 per person, depending on the duration and distance.

3. River Rafting

One more adventurous and exciting thing to do in Nubra Valley is to raft on the Shyok river, which is a tributary of the Indus river and flows through Nubra Valley. The river rafting takes you through the rapids and the currents of the Shyok river, which are a thrill and a challenge for any rafter. The river rafting is available from June to September, and the cost is about Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2000 per person, depending on the duration and distance.

4. Cycling

Another adventurous and exciting thing to do in Nubra Valley is to cycle on the roads and the trails of Nubra Valley, which are a delight and a joy for any cyclist. The cycling takes you through the smooth and the rough terrains of Nubra Valley, which are a fun and a fitness for any rider. The cycling is available throughout the year, and the cost is about Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000 per person, depending on the duration and distance.

5. Camping

One of the most scenic and relaxing things to do in Nubra Valley is to camp near the rivers and the sand dunes of Nubra Valley, which are a contrast to the snow-capped mountains and the green valleys of Nubra Valley. The camping allows you to stay in tents and huts, with natural and rustic settings. The camping also offers services such as restaurant, cafe, bonfire, barbecue, and cultural shows. The camping is available throughout the year, and the cost is about Rs. 2000 to Rs. 4000 per night, depending on the season and availability.

What to See in Nubra Valley

Nubra Valley is a paradise for cultural and historical enthusiasts, as it offers a range of places and sights that will make your trip enriching and enlightening. Here are some of the best places to see in Nubra Valley:

1. Diskit Monastery

One of the most ancient and important places to see in Nubra Valley is the Diskit monastery, which is a Buddhist monastery that belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Diskit monastery was founded in the 14th century by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa sect. The Diskit monastery is located on a hilltop in Diskit, the main town of Nubra Valley, and is about 5 km away from the Hunder sand dunes and the Bactrian camel safari.

2. Panamik Village

Another beautiful and serene place to see in Nubra Valley is the Panamik village, which is a village that is known for its hot springs and its handicrafts. The Panamik village is located on the banks of the Nubra river, in the northern part of Nubra Valley, and is about 10 km away from the Sumur village and the Samstanling monastery.

3. Yarab Tso Lake

One more beautiful and serene place to see in Nubra Valley is the Yarab Tso lake, which is a lake that is considered sacred and holy by the locals. The Yarab Tso lake is located on a hilltop near the Sumur village, in the northern part of Nubra Valley, and is about 15 km away from the Panamik village and the hot springs.

4. Hunder Sand Dunes

One of the most unique and amazing places to see in Nubra Valley is the Hunder sand dunes, which are a contrast to the snow-capped mountains and the green valleys of Nubra Valley. The Hunder sand dunes are located in Hunder, a village in Nubra Valley, and are about 2 km away from the Bactrian camel safari and the Hunder Sarai Resort.

5. Turtuk Village

Another unique and amazing place to see in Nubra Valley is the Turtuk village, which is a village that was once a part of Pakistan, and is now a part of India. The Turtuk village is located on the banks of the Shyok river, in the northernmost part of Nubra Valley, and is about 90 km away from the Diskit town and the monastery.

Nubra Valley is a stunning tourist destination in Ladakh, India, that offers scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and adventure activities. In this article, we have provided you with a comprehensive guide to Nubra Valley, including the best time to visit, how to reach, where to stay, what to do, and what to see. Whether you are looking for adventure, nature, culture, or relaxation, Nubra Valley has something for everyone.

Nubra Valley Reviews

Rajendra Prasad

270 Followers

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Day 8, Jaldi chaLA to Leh (1st June’14- Hundar,Nubra) Distance Covered ~1600 kms Next morning as decided, four of us had set out early to visit the dunes which was an enchanting sight. I was fortunate enough to see the green bushes, white sand dunes, brown mountains, snow-capped peaks all in one frame & were delighted to be there. We got our bikes on the dunes & clicked some pictures there before returning to the camp for breakfast. On reaching back found that everyone was ready on their bikes to move out & so we skipped our breakfast and moved out with the gang. The fear of falling prey to the Altitude sickness shook many riders & heard that many riders having taken Diamox tablet to pass the Khardung La test. I ensured that I stayed hydrated & stopped every 30 minutes to drink water and also wanted to cross the Pass at the earliest. It worked and I was absolutely fine at the top. While riding to the top of the Pass, light snow drizzle made it a tougher ride and also a memorable one. I made a brief halt at the top to enjoy the beautiful place again without any fear & panic this time and clicked some more pics and also bought a T-shirt as a momento from the Army store there. Then we quickly had set out towards the South Pullu post and had our breakfast - Maggi & juice which was very much required at that point of time. Since we had started quite early, we reached Leh by 2pm and had the remaining day at our helm to shop, eat & do whatever we wanted to. Around late afternoon, we set out looking a German bakery which was visited by Amit, Manu, Nishant & others last year. Finally we got it & had some delicious food there & the chit-chat over food made it a good hour spent. We also checked out another Tibetan market & brought some more stuff for home. Also shopped for few more customised t-shirts which were the best souvenir for a rider to carry back. We also tried the momo’s at a small but busy restaurant while enjoying the IPL final match. Then we headed towards our hotel & gathered at the dining area where everyone was called to sort out the difference among the riders. All erratic riders were cautioned & riding rules were reiterated to ensure it was followed by all. Post dinner we watched the decisive last few over of the IPL match which KKR won & then headed towards our rooms to hit the bed.

Pritam Pandit

254 Followers

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Day 6 :- We booked a sharing cab last night from Leh main market area near by "Leh Jama Masjid" for Nubra Valley which is 150kms from Leh. One can also reach Nubra by rental bike. Nubra Valley is the name of the region in which the places should cover i:e; Diskit , Hunder, Sumur & Panamik. Note- One can also take Sharing Local Taxi from Leh Taxi Stand near Leh Polo Ground for Diskit which will cost around 400/persons. We started around 11am from Leh for Diskit & Hunder.We reached Khardungla Pass after 40kms. Khardungla Pass is the Highest Motor-able Pass in the World at 18,379 ft. We took some memorable pics and did our breakfast with hot tea and maagi there at the highest point and headed towards Diskit first. We reached Diskit near by 16:00pm and visited Diskit Monastery where one can see the giant Gautam Buddha touching his head in the crystal clear sky almost. Then from there we moved to Hunder which is 08kms. Hunder is the Cold Sand Desert of India. We saw and took pics of two humped bacterial camel over there as this camels were used for transporting purpose over the previous Silk Route of India. One can also do camel ride over here. Panamik is next 50kms from here and we are not interested to see the Hot Spring for which Panamik is famous, so we came back to Diskit and took a hotel for our night halt.One can also take camps/tents for night halt at Hunder but it will due to less budget we prefer to stay at hotel in Diskit which is reasonable than Hunder. Expenditure- Sharing Taxi for Diskit - 400/persons per way i:e; 800/person both way. Hotel at Diskit - 600/room for 02 persons per night

Helmet Stories

643 Followers

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DAY 9: LEH - KHARDUNG LA - NUBRA140 km ; 5-6 hoursThis is the day we all came on this ride -to be on Top of the World- the Khardung La (5602M)!!! The initial smooth tarmac gets tougher as we ascend, full of boulders and stones—but it is certainly worth the ride. After a short break at K-Top we move on to reach the Nubra Valley. It’s a fantastic ride over good, paved roads most of the time. Overnight, we'll be fixed in to Eco Camp in Hunder, the last point where civilians are allowed to travel.DAY 10: SIGHT SEEING IN NUBRA VALLEY40 kms (At your own pace); Nubra Valley (altitude: 3,150m).Formerly known as Lyumra meaning ‘A Valley of Flowers’ with numerous high altitude yellow roses, apple and apricot orchards dotting its landscape. Lying approximately 1,300 ft lower than Leh, Nubra sports a much milder climate, enabling its inhabitants to cultivate more extensively, as compared to their counterparts in the main Indus Valley. Ninety per cent of the population here is Buddhist. There are numerous monasteries and other places of religious significance, the most prominent among them are Samstanling (140 years old) and Deskit monastery (500 years old) both attached to the Gelugpa order (yellow Hat sect). Hunder is the most interesting village housing numerous historical ruins and you can find the double humped Bactrian camel here which were left behind by ancient silk route traders. Overnight in camp.DAY 11: NUBRA VALLEY - LEH170 kms; 6-7 hoursAfter an early breakfast we will head out to explore the beautiful Nubra Valley and after some great riding in this remote area we will head back for Leh over Khardung La. Our overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Dipu Darko

3837 Followers

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Nubra Valley A little north east of Ladakh lies the gorgeous Nubra valley. Someone who’d recently gone there told me it’s a real trip just standing on the rocks and watching the mighty Shyok river. It’s the land where you can view the best sunsets in the world, time actually pauses for months and the skies merge with the rivers. It’s unreal to imagine such beauty in the coldest desert of the country but it’s mind boggling to just sit and absorb all this gorgeousness 360 degrees throughout the year. Sometimes you feel you’re inside a dream within a dream where the blue is so blue that you go dizzy just seeing it.

Shruti Agrawal

520 Followers

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The 6 hour long journey goes by without you realising it. From Leh we first go through a steep winding road to Khardung La - one of the highest passes around. The snow capped mountaines, the cool breeze just take your breath away. And then the downward journey to Nubra Valley is again one of a kind. Its a place where you see huge mountains, sand dunes, a little vegetation and a river all blended into a beautiful scenery. A stop at the Thiksey Gompa monastry enroute gives the perfect view of this place. The place will just give you a high from its sheer beauty. Recommended to camp here and take a ride on the Bactrian Camel.