Located at about 120km from from Leh, Nubra Valley is popular among the tourists and the travellers for its sand dunes and the bactrian camels. The road trip from Leh to Nubra valley is one of the most sought after road trip as it crosses the Khardungla Pass which is the world's highest motorable pass. Nubra valley is formed where the Shyok river meets the Nubra river.
This valley is a beautiful with scanty vegetation and is surrounded by humongous mountain ranges. The Valley looks absolutely picturesque with its different colours in stark contrast to each other -the blue of the sky , the brown of the mountains and the white of the little houses and monasteries dotting the landscape.
The people of Ladakh are hard working and they utilise the warm season to grow vegetables in their garden which they can store and use during the freezing winter months. Hence, when you visit Nubra Valley, you would find small vegetable, flowers and fruit gardens in front of almost every house, guest house and hotels. You may also be able to spot apple and apricot loaded trees in the garden of your guest house and hotel.
The people of Nubra Valley are followers of Buddhism and the area is dotted with Blue, white and yellow chortens and prayer wheels. When we visited Nubra Valley, our host of the guest house was
If you love tasting regional delicacies, then you can even try salted tea known as 'Gur Gur Chai' while you travel to the interiors on Nubra Valley.
If you are planning to visit Ladakh, then Nubra Valley should definitely be on your itinerary to experience . Here is a complete guide to all you need to know.
Ladakh is not an ordinary tourist destination and hence a visit to Ladakh requires a lot of prior planning. One has to keep in mind a lot of important factors in mind.
Important Documents to Carry:
The important documents that you need to carry are
(1) Permits : Indian Citizens need to apply for and keep with themselves a copy of the ILP or the Inner Line permits. You can apply for the ILP online and keep a downloaded pdf of the same on your mobile phones. Alternately, you can also keep a printed copy of the ILP with you.
Foreign Nationals need to get a protected area permit before visiting Nubra Valley.
You can apply for the Inner Line permit and Protected area permit, by clicking here.
(2) Identity Proofs and driving license : The road to Nubra valley and Pangong are maintained by the Border Road Organisation and also there many army posts on the road. Hence it is important to keep identity cards and driving license (in case you are self driving) with you while you are travelling.
(3) Arrival ticket of Flights : It is mandatory for every traveller to spend 48hours in Leh and then travel to higher altitude regions of Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso. So, it is good to keep the air tickets saved in your mobile phones for any checking that might take place on the way.
(3) Hotel bookings: Mobile networks might be irregular in Nubra Valley and so it is important to keep your hotel booking details( location of the stay , phone number of the owner etc. )saved in your mobile phones.
(4) Covid Vaccination Certificates: Pdf copies of the vaccination certificates or printouts of the same must be kept handy for your Ladakh trip. You would be asked to furnish the vaccination certificates at the Leh Airport.
Precaution For Acute Mountain Sickness:
Ladakh is a high altitude tourist destination and the oxygen levels are significantly low. Therefore, when one travels from lower altitude areas to Ladakh in a very short time, say, by taking a flight from Delhi to Leh, the body is not able to adjust to the lower oxygen levels fast. One can experience dizziness , fatigue , headache , shortness of breath due to this. This is why acclimatizing in Leh for 48 hours is absolutely necessary.
Also, the road to Nubra Valley passes through Khardungla where experiencing such symptoms is very likely. On my recent trip to Nubra , I did experience dizziness, headache ,shortness of breath and sudden dipping of oxygen level to 70 at the Khardungla pass. The situation improved on gradually descending down from there.
It is better to keep the following items handy while travelling from Leh to Nubra Valley and onwards (Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri etc.).
(i) Diamox Tablets : These tablets can be taken 2 days prior to reaching Leh as a precautionary measure. However, you must take your doctor's advice on this.
(ii) Oximeter : This is something you must keep with yourself as you would be actually travelling across high altitude areas.
(iii) Portable oxygen cylinders : Small portable oxygen cylinders are available at online stores and also in Leh which may be a saviour at the time of need. You may keep one with you. However, these cylinders are not allowed in flights due to safety issues and hence, if you are travelling by flight it is better to buy after you reach Leh.
P.S. We carried oxygen cylinders with us while travelling to Leh but we never had to use it. Also, Drinking sufficient amount of water during the entire trip is necessary as Ladakh has a very dry climate
Read about Altitude sickness in Ladakh here.
Ideal duration of stay:
There are many things to do and places to visit in Nubra Valley and the nearby Sumur Valley. Also, the road trip from Leh to Nubra takes around five hours or more. You may choose to stay for any number of days and still not have enough of the beauty of Nubra Valley. However, the ideal duration would be two nights and three days if you want a slow paced travel. We stayed for one night at the Nubra Valley and it was a very hectic schedule.
Places to visit:
(1) Khardungla Pass and Khardungla Gompa
The road to Nubra Valley from Leh is one of the most beautiful road trips that you would ever experience. It cuts right across gigantesque mountains, with little oasis of greens here and there. The road slowly gains height and you would finally reach the world's highest motorable pass-the Khardungla. The weather becomes cooler as you gradually go higher until it becomes quite cold as you reach the top at 17982 feet!! There would be snowfields around and you would meet the excited crowds of tourists jostling to click photographs You would feel the low oxygen levels! But you would remember the feeling forever - you are at the highest motorable pass!! A flight of steps would take you to the Khardungla gompa on top of a hill. If you are feeling fit enough, you may go and explore that.
(2) Random Grasslands , waterfalls and snowfields
Ladakh is not only about the destination but also about the journey. Never rush to your destination. Go slow. Enjoy nature. While on your way to Nubra , you may just come across a stretch of fresh snowfield. Get down and experience the joy of playing with the snow. You may also come across an unknown water fall gushing down the slopes formed of melting glaciers. Take some moment and feel the cold water numb you fingers. You would also come across beautiful verdant grasslands with streams flowing across and animals grazing on the soft grass. You may spot yaks , or donkeys or handsome horses. Take out your camera and capture the moment.
(3) Panamik Hot spring
A turning from the Leh to Nubra valley road would take you to the Panamik hot springs. Once you start driving on this road you would understand that you are on an un-travelled road. Yours can be the only vehicle running across the vast landscape of mountains , gushing Nubra river , green patches and small villages. The panamik hot spring is known for its medicinal properties and the sulphur content of the water is high. The hot water running down the slopes forms deep yellow patches of sulphur deposits. There a bathing area nearby and you can enjoy the hot water and reap the benefits of the medicinal properties.
Click below to watch the road trip to Khardungla and the Panamik hot spring.
(4) Hunder Sand Dunes
Hunder Sand dunes are one of the most beautiful places to visit in Nubra Valley. The soft white sands form little hillocks that stretch across to reach the mountains. The beauty of the dunes at the sunset is truly mesmerising. One can also experience a camel ride on a very special camel species - the double humped bactrian camels.
Ps. Be a little alert. An irritated camel might chase you if ask it to pose for a photograph.
Read about how we got chased by a double humped camel at the Hunder sand dunes
(5) Maitreya Buddha Statue
one of the most prominent aspect of the Nubra valley is the 108feet tall statue of Maitreya Buddha. This statue is located high on a hill top, just below the Deskit monastery and can be seen from everywhere in the village. The Statue overlooks the valley facing the Shyok river and is believed to protect the village and prevent future wars. The statue is magnificent and one must visit this place on an early morning to experience the peace and beauty of the place.
(6) Diskit Monastery
Built in the 14th century, Diskit monastery is the oldest monastery in Nubra Valley. The white Gompa can be seen from the Maitreya Buddha statue standing high among the mountains. It can be reached by hiking across the white chortens.
Click below to watch how we explored Nubra Valley.
Where to stay?
There are plenty of homestays in Nubra Valley and you can book them from online sites. You may book The Dunes Ladakh and Cottage Green Willow here.
One of the best places to stay in Nubra Valley is the Diskit village. There are many beautiful guest houses in this area with apple and apricot trees in the garden.
I stayed at the Sonam Guest house for one night and the experience was beautiful. At night time when the entire valley was engulfed in darkness, the Maitreya Buddha statue could be seen from the balcony and it gave a true feeling of being protected.
The dinner was simple and delicious and we had our meals at a traditional Ladakhi dining setup.
Click here to know how my experience was the Sonam Guest House.
You can book this Guest house from the following links: makemytrip.com, goibibo.com
If you are looking to stay at some stunning properties, then Nubra Ecolodge and Lchang Nang Retreat may be the options for you.
Read about Nubra Ecolodge here.
Read about Lchang Nang Retreat - The House of trees here.
Interesting things to do:
1. Camel Ride
This is one of the best things to do. Sit on one of the camels and go on a ride to explore the sand dunes as the sunsets behind the mountains.
Charges: Rs. 350 person and Only one person is allowed to sit on one camel
2. Star Gazing and Astro Photography
After dinner, head straight to the terrace of your guest house and look above. You would be surprised by the number of stars twinkling in the inky sky. The stars would be so clear that you can actually capture the milky way with your smartphone!
3. River rafting in Khalsar
River rafting can be enjoyed at the mighty Shyok river flowing amidst the towering mountain ranges. There is a rafting point at the Khalsar area on the way to the Nubra Valley and one can enjoy river rafting.
4. A warm bath at the Panamik hot spring
The water of the Panamik hot spring is known for its medicinal properties and is said to cure skin diseases. At the panamik hot spring area there is a small bathroom facility where the water from the spring is routed. You can enjoy a hot bath there. The water is hot and hence ask for bucket of cold water to mix with the spring water.
5. ATV ride at Nubra Valley
If you love adventures, then an ATV ride across the sand dunes is definitely the sport for you.
Click here to know more about ATV ride at Nubra Valley.
Nubra Valley is one of the must visit places in Ladakh and now you already know how to plan your trip. So, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets and pack your bags.
Happy Travelling!!
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