Nubra Valley Ladakh, Attraction That Makes You Look Dumb

Nubra Valley is a scenic valley located in the northernmost region of the Indian Union territory of Ladakh. It is situated at an altitude of around 3048 meters above sea level and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glaciers. The valley is located on the banks of the Shyok River, which is a tributary of the Indus River.

Nubra Valley is known for its unique landscapes, including sand dunes, lush green valleys, and rocky terrain. It is also home to several Buddhist monasteries, such as Diskit Monastery and Hundar Monastery, which are popular tourist attractions.

Nubra Valley Ladakh is accessible by road from Leh, the capital city of Ladakh, and the journey is known for its scenic beauty. Tourists can enjoy activities like camel rides, trekking, and camping in the valley. The best time to visit Valley is between June and September when the weather is pleasant, and the roads are open for transportation.

Geography

Nubra Valley Ladakh is popularly known as Ldumra or the valley of orchards/flowers. It is situated in the North of Ladakh, between Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of Himalayas. Nubra lies at average altitude about 10,000 feet above sea level. Shrubs, bushes and trees grow in abundance wherever there is any source of water. Due to this reason Nubra has acquired its right name- Ldumra. Shayok and Siachan rivers forms fairly large drain in Nubra. Nubra is a broad valley with lofty mountains on its all sides. Valley assumes greater attractions at the site where both the rivers meet. Diskit is the Sub-Division HQ. of Nubra.

Major village via Kardong, Khalsar, Tirit, Sumoor, Tegar Pinchemik, Tirisha and Panamik all fall along the traditional silk route. The caravans travelling Central Asia and Kashmir through Nubra valley used to stay at those villages. Panamik was the most important place for haltage of Caravan. The famous hot spring of Panamik served them as a source for bath, drinking water and therapeutic purpose.

The weather in Nubra Valley Ladakh varies depending on the time of year you visit. Nubra Valley experiences an extreme cold desert climate, with long and harsh winters and short, mild summers.

During the winter months from November to February, the temperature can drop to as low as -10°C, and the valley is covered in snow. The roads to Nubra Valley are closed during these months due to heavy snowfall, making it inaccessible to tourists.

From March to May, the temperature gradually starts to rise, and the snow starts to melt. This period is a great time to visit Nubra Valley as the weather is pleasant, and the valley is full of blooming flowers.

From June to September, the temperature in Nubra Valley Ladakh ranges from 10°C to 25°C, making it the best time to visit the valley. The weather is mild, and the roads are accessible, allowing tourists to explore the valley and enjoy outdoor activities.

From October to November, the temperature starts to drop again, and the valley prepares for the upcoming winter season. It is still possible to visit Nubra during this time, but it is important to check the weather conditions and road accessibility before planning your trip.

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Nubra Valley is a picturesque and popular tourist destination. Major attraction of Nubra valley is the highest motorable road Khardongla pass at 5602 meter. Majestic peaks, glaciers, enchanting valleys and villages. Diskit and Samstanling Gonpa, Panamik hot spring, double humped camel safari, river rafting, trekking and Sunbathe in the sand dunes at Hunder are also a great source of attraction for the tourists. Here are some of the top places to visit in Nubra-

Diskit Monastery

Diskit Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in the Nubra Valley. It is the largest and oldest monastery in the Nubra.

The monastery was founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, in the 14th century. The main attraction of the monastery is a 32-meter-high statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is the largest statue in the region and can be seen from a distance of several kilometers.

Diskit Monastery also houses a number of other shrines and temples, including the Guru Lhakhang, which is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, and the Cho Rinpoche Lhakhang, which contains an image of Cho Rinpoche, the protector deity of the monastery. The annual festival of Dosmoche is celebrated at the monastery in February, which attracts a large number of tourists and locals alike.

Yarab Tso Lake

Yarab Tso Lake, also known as the Hidden Lake, is a high-altitude lake. The lake is situated at an altitude of about 4572 meter above sea level and is considered to be one of the hidden gems of Ladakh.

Yarab Tso Lake is known for its crystal-clear blue waters and serene surroundings. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and lush green meadows, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.

The lake is considered to be sacred by the local people and is believed to have healing properties. It is believed that the lake was discovered by a group of Buddhist lamas who were searching for a place to meditate. The lamas found the lake and believed that the waters of the lake possessed spiritual powers.

Hunder Sand Dunes

Hunder Sand Dunes, also known as Hunder Desert, is a desert area located in the Nubra Valley. The sand dunes are situated near the village of Hunder and are a popular tourist attraction in the region.

The Hunder Sand Dunes are a unique landscape in the Himalayan region, consisting of sand dunes that are surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The sand dunes cover an area of about 4 square kilometers and are believed to have been formed by the retreat of the Shyok River.

One of the major attractions of the Hunder Sand Dunes is the double-humped Bactrian camels, which are found only in this region of the world. Tourists can enjoy a camel ride on the sand dunes and experience the desert landscape of Ladakh. The best time to visit the Hunder Sand Dunes is between the months of May and September, when the weather is pleasant and the sand dunes are easily accessible.

Samstanling Monastery

Siachen Base Camp

The Siachen Base Camp is a military base camp located at an altitude of approximately 3657 meter above sea level. The base camp is situated near the Siachen Glacier, which is the largest glacier in the Karakoram Range of the Himalayas and the world’s highest battlefield.

The Siachen Base Camp is primarily used by the Indian Army to support its operations in the Siachen Glacier region, which is a strategically important area due to its location on the border between India and Pakistan. The base camp also serves as a training ground for the soldiers who are deployed to the glacier.

Despite being a military base camp, the Siachen Base Camp is also open to civilian visitors, who can obtain permission from the Indian Army to visit the area. Visitors to the Siachen Base Camp can witness the challenging conditions in which the soldiers live and work, as well as the stunning natural beauty of the Himalayan region.

The best time to visit the Siachen Base Camp is during the summer months, between May and September, when the weather is mild and the base camp is more accessible.

Panamik Hot Springs

Panamik Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located in the Nubra Valley. The hot springs are situated near the village of Panamik and are a popular tourist attraction in the region. The hot springs are believed to have healing properties and are rich in sulfur and other minerals. The water temperature ranges from 35 to 60 degrees Celsius and is considered to be therapeutic for various ailments such as rheumatism and arthritis.

In addition to their therapeutic properties, the Panamik Hot Springs offer a relaxing and rejuvenating experience for visitors. The natural surroundings of the hot springs, with the snow-capped mountains and the lush greenery, add to the serene ambiance. The hot springs are accessible by road and require a short trek from the nearest village. There are also several guesthouses and homestays in the area where visitors can stay and enjoy the hot springs.

Nubra Valley is a popular trekking destination, offering a variety of trekking routes ranging from easy to challenging. Some of the popular Nubra Valley treks are- Diskit to Hunder: This is a relatively easy trek, which takes you through the sand dunes of Hunder and the ancient Diskit Monastery. The trek offers stunning views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. Panamik to Turtuk: This is a moderate trek, which takes you through the beautiful villages of Panamik and Turtuk, offering a glimpse of the local culture and traditions.

Hunder to Warshi: This is a challenging trek, which takes you through the rugged terrain of the Nubra, with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Saboo to Khalsar: This is a moderate trek, which takes you through the scenic Saboo village and the ancient Khalsar village, offering a unique cultural experience. Phyang to Hunder: This is a challenging trek, which takes you through the Phyang village and the high altitude Lasermo La pass, offering stunning views of the Himalayan mountains.

The Nubra known for its natural beauty and unique culture. There are many camps and guesthouses available in Valley for tourists to stay in and enjoy the scenic beauty of the region. Nubra Ethnic Camp, Mystic Meadows Camp, Apple Nubra Cottage and Karma Inn offers some of the best amenities.

There are several places to stay in Nubra Valley Ladakh that cater to different budgets and preferences. Some of the popular Nubra valley accommodation option are-Hotel Stendel – Located in the town of Leh, Hotel Stendel offers comfortable and spacious rooms with attached bathrooms and hot water facilities. The hotel also has a restaurant that serves Indian and Continental cuisine. Nubra Organic Retreat – This eco-friendly retreat is located in the village of Hunder and offers traditional Ladakhi-style rooms with attached bathrooms and hot water facilities. The retreat also has a restaurant that serves organic food made from locally-sourced ingredients.

Desert Himalaya Resort – Located in Hunder, Desert Himalaya Resort offers luxury tents with attached bathrooms and hot water facilities. The resort also has a restaurant that serves Indian and Continental cuisine. The Silk Route Cottages – These traditional Ladakhi-style cottages are located in Sumur and offer comfortable rooms with attached bathrooms and hot water facilities. The cottages also have a restaurant that serves traditional Ladakhi cuisine. Organic Camp – Located in the village of Turtuk, Organic Camp offers traditional Ladakhi-style tents with attached bathrooms and hot water facilities. The camp also has a restaurant that serves organic food made from locally-sourced ingredients.

There are several resorts in Nubra that offer a luxurious stay to visitors. Some of the best resorts in Valley are- The Grand Dragon Ladakh, Stone Hedge Hotel, Nubra Summer Camp, Mystic Meadows Suites & Resorts and The Kora Valley Resort. These Resort provide some of the best facility in Nubra valley.

There are several hotels in Nubra Valley that offer a comfortable stay to visitors. Here are some of the top hotels in Nubra are-

Karma Inn – Located in the town of Diskit, Karma Inn offers comfortable rooms with all basic amenities. Hotel Olthang – This hotel is located in the village of Hunder and offers comfortable rooms with all basic amenities, including attached bathrooms with hot water facilities.  Lchang Nang Retreat – Located in the village of Hunder, Lchang Nang Retreat offers comfortable rooms with all basic amenities. The Desert Himalaya Resort and Hotel Stendel are some of the other top hotels in Nubra Valley that offer a comfortable stay to visitors.

To travel from Leh to Nubra Valley, you can either hire a private taxi or take a shared taxi. Shared taxis are available from the main taxi stand in Leh. Overall, the journey from Leh to Nubra Valley is a scenic and adventurous experience that you won’t forget. It is important to check the road conditions and weather forecast before planning a trip to Valley, especially during the winter months when the road may be closed due to heavy snowfall.