Leh district · 3,144 m
Nubra Valley
Silver dunes, Bactrian camels and orchard villages beyond the high pass of Khardung La.
Your Nubra Valley journey
Nubra Valley, planned gently around you
Silver dunes, Bactrian camels and orchard villages beyond the high pass of Khardung La.
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We begin with your Nubra Valley
Tell us what draws you here, who is coming and how you would like it to feel. Nubra Valley can be many journeys; we start with yours.
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We find the right season
June to September. We match your dates to the light, the roads and the quiet you are hoping for.
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We set an unhurried pace
Two nights at Hunder or Diskit, plus one or two in Turtuk if you go that far. At 3,144 m, the days are gentle, and the route is shaped so you are never rushed.
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Then, Nubra Valley is simply yours
Stays chosen with care, permits and practicalities settled before you leave. All that remains is to arrive, and look up.
Tell us about your Nubra Valley journey. It takes three minutes.
Cross Khardung La and the road drops into a different world: a broad valley where the Shyok and Nubra rivers braid across grey sand, and green villages of barley, poplars and apricots cling to the edges. At Hunder, cold-desert dunes ripple beneath snow peaks, and two-humped Bactrian camels, descendants of the old Silk Road caravans, wander between them.
Nubra is lower than Leh, at roughly 3,000–3,200 m, which makes it a comfortable place to sleep after the pass. It is also the gateway to Turtuk, a Balti village with a language, cuisine and architecture all its own.
Why visit
- The Hunder dunes and Bactrian camels at golden hour
- Diskit Monastery and its 32 m Maitreya Buddha looking down the valley
- Turtuk, a Balti village of apricot orchards near the Line of Control
- A lower, gentler altitude to recover after Khardung La
- The quieter Panamik side of the valley and its hot springs
Best time
June to September. Khardung La can close for a few hours or days after snowfall in spring and autumn, so keep some flexibility at either end of the season.
How to reach
About 120 km from Leh to Diskit and Hunder via Khardung La: 4–5 hours with stops. Turtuk is a further 80–90 km (about 3 hours). There is also a road from Nubra to Pangong via Agham and Shyok, useful for a loop, but it is rough and occasionally closed, so check its condition locally.
Things to do
- Walk the Hunder dunes at sunset (camel rides are short and optional)
- Visit Diskit Monastery and the Maitreya statue
- Spend a night in Turtuk and walk through its orchards and stone lanes
- Soak at the Panamik hot springs
- Try local food: apricot dishes, skyu and, in Turtuk, Balti bread
Suggested duration
Two nights at Hunder or Diskit, plus one or two in Turtuk if you go that far.
Approximate costs
Camps, guesthouses and homestays from about INR 2,000–6,000 a night, with a few comfortable resorts above that. The taxi from Leh, usually priced as a multi-day package, is the main cost. Check current rates.
Accommodation
Tented camps and guesthouses cluster around Hunder and Diskit; Turtuk has family homestays and a few small guesthouses. Book ahead in July and August.
Transportation
Most people hire a taxi from Leh for the whole circuit. Self-drive and motorbike trips are popular. Public buses exist but are infrequent.
Permits
Indian citizens: the Inner Line Permit was withdrawn in 2021, so carry valid photo ID; an environment or wildlife fee may still be collected online or at checkpoints. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit, arranged through a registered travel agent in Leh. Rules change often, so confirm with the Leh district administration before you go.
Weather and altitude
Warmer than Leh by day in summer; evenings cool quickly. Afternoon winds can lift sand off the dunes, so protect your camera.
Altitude 3,144 m.
Connectivity
Patchy. Diskit and Hunder usually have some signal; Turtuk and the Panamik side are limited. Download maps before you leave Leh.
What to carry
- Photo ID (and copies) for checkpoints
- Cash for camps, fees and small shops
- A buff or scarf against dust and wind
- Warm layers for Khardung La
Practical tips
- Cross Khardung La early in the morning, before traffic and afternoon weather build.
- Keep a spare day in your plan in case the pass closes.
- Fill up with fuel in Leh or at Diskit; there is little in between.
- In Turtuk, ask before photographing people, especially women and children.
FAQs
- Do I need a permit for Nubra?
- Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit. Indian citizens no longer need an Inner Line Permit but should carry ID and may pay an environment fee. Rules change, so check before you go.
- Can I go from Nubra straight to Pangong?
- Yes, via Shyok and Agham, which saves going back over Khardung La. The road is rough and can be closed by water or landslides, so ask in Diskit the evening before.
- Is the camel ride worth it?
- It is short and touristy, but the setting is lovely. Walking the dunes at sunset is just as rewarding.