NUBRA VALLEY – THE ROADS END HERE

As the gurgling Shyok River meets the alluring Siachen River, they form a picturesque valley known as the Nubra Valley. A semi-arid desert area located at an astounding height of 10,000ft, the beauty of Nubra Valley is almost impossible to describe in words!

Ornate with barren and fascinating peaks, dotted with colourful prayer flags, fringed with captivating sand dunes, and inhabited by heart-warming locals, Nubra Valley is among the highest deserts in the entire world. With the gorgeous Siachen Glacier towards the north, this pictorial valley separates Ladakh from the Karakoram Range, and is one of the major attractions in all the Leh Ladakh tour packages.

Location Situated at a height of around 10,000ft, Nubra Valley is located around 150km towards the north of Leh and around 575km from Srinagar. Delhi, the country’s capital is around 1,409km from Nubra Valley.

Best Time to Visit Nubra Valley

Summer (April to June) is considered as the best time to visit this magnificent valley. During this period, temperature in the valley starts rising while being accompanied by a clear atmosphere; it makes it an ideal season for sightseeing and other activities in Nubra Valley.

The pre-winter season or September to October is also an ideal time to visit Nubra Valley. Though temperature might start going down, it still remains bearable for outsiders. Post this season, as the winter starts approaching its peak, the Khardung La Pass shuts down making it quite impossible to reach Nubra Valley.

Visitors should not book any Leh Ladakh tour packages during the monsoons as well. Nubra Valley experiences highest rainfall from July to August; chances of landslide increases during this interval.

Tourist Attractions in Nubra Valley

Dskit Monastery:

Almost seven centuries old, Diskit Monastery is a not-to-missed tourist attraction while on a Leh Ladakh tour. A sub-gompa of the profound Thiksey Monastery, Diskit belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Buddhism, and a visit to this pious monastery is included in almost all the Leh Ladakh tour packages. A 102ft statue of the Maitreya Buddha is the main attraction of this holy monastery.

Samstangling Monastery:

Located in the Sumlur Village in Nubra Valley, SamstanglingMonasterys is also among the must visit places in the valley as well as in the Leh Ladakh tour packages. Founded by Lama Tsultim around 140 years ago, this religious enclave is also an important Buddhism learning centre.

Sand Dunes of Hunder Village:

Hunder Village is a true oasis in the barren desert areas of Nubra Valley. During your visit to this enchanting village, visitors can witness a stark difference! While most of Leh Ladakh stays snow-capped throughout the year, Hunder offers a semi-arid ambience. Among the many attractions in Hunder Village, its sand dunes are the most remarkable. Visitors can opt for a double-humped Bactrian camel safari and unravel the imposing beauty of these sand dunes.

Khardung La Pass:

With the distance being only 119km (approx.), the great Khardung La Pass also serves as one of the major attractions in Nubra Valley. This splendid pass is in fact the highest motorable pass in the world, and is included in almost all the Leh Ladakh tour packages.

Festivals in Nubra Valley

Dosmoche Festival:

Dosmoche Festival is the most festive celebration in Nubra Valley. It is also one of the biggest festivals that is celebrated away from Leh. Dating back to the royal era of Ladakh, this festival is celebrated in the Diskit Monastery and runs for around two days. During Dosmoche Festival, lamas perform a sacred dance along the beats of traditional drums and fiesta reaches the peak.

Losar Festival:

The Losar Mela or Losar Festival is among the heartiest festivals in Nubra Valley. Also celebrated in other corners of Leh Ladakh region, this festival marks the onset of the Ladakhi New Year, and is a true riot of colours, cultures, and tradition. Starting from kids to adults, everyone participates in Losar Meal whole heartedly. While women adorn themselves in the most impressive ways, men drape themselves in their traditional attires to attend the festival. Grand feasts and fiestas are the main attractions of Losar Mela in Nubra Valley.

How to Reach Nubra Valley

By Road:

Road journeys are the best ways to reach Nubra Valley. However, buses to this valley is pretty irregular, and visitors can either commute with their personal vehicles or can hire private cabs or taxis to reach Nubra Valley.

By Train:

Unfortunately, Nubra Valley has no direct access to railway service. However, visitors can travel to Jammu Tawi, the only railway station in Srinagar to reach Leh, and further hire private taxi services to reach Nubra Valley.

By Air:

Nubra Valley do not have its own airport. The KushokBakulaRimpochee Airport in Leh serves as the nearest airport to this pictorial valley. On arriving at the airport, visitors can hire private cabs or taxis to reach Nubra Valley; the drive is only of 5 hours.