5N/6DLadakhLeh Ladakh Classic
2N Leh · 1N Nubra · 1N Pangong · 1N Leh- Hotels
- Meals
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
Starts from
₹18,900
per person
Nubra Valley, Diskit
Sand dunes, Bactrian camels and the Diskit Buddha
- Type
- Valley
- Location
- Diskit, Ladakh
- Time needed
- 2 nights
- Best time to visit
- May to September. Late afternoon is the best time for the dunes, when the sand is cooler and the light is soft.
About Nubra Valley
Nubra Valley lies north of Leh where the Shyok and Nubra rivers meet. The road crosses Khardung La and then drops into a wide, sandy valley at about 3,000 m, lower than Leh. The change in landscape is striking, with dunes, green villages and orchards set against bare mountains.
Diskit is the main village. Its old monastery sits on a ridge above the valley, and a large statue of Maitreya Buddha faces down the valley towards the Shyok river. A short drive away, Hunder has sand dunes where you can ride double-humped Bactrian camels, a breed that once carried goods on the old trade routes to Central Asia.
Most visitors stay one or two nights in Diskit or Hunder, where there are camps, guesthouses and homestays. From here you can go on to Turtuk, visit the hot springs at Panamik, or continue to Pangong Tso along the Shyok river road. Nubra is a good second stop after acclimatising in Leh.
Things to do at Nubra Valley
- Visit Diskit Monastery and the Maitreya Buddha statue
- Take a Bactrian camel ride on the Hunder sand dunes in the late afternoon
- Stop at Khardung La on the way in
- Visit the hot springs at Panamik in the Nubra side valley
- Make a day trip to Turtuk village
How to reach Nubra Valley
- By road from Leh: about 120 km to Diskit over Khardung La, about 4 to 5 hours by car.
- From Pangong Tso: via the Shyok river road through Agham, about 6 to 7 hours, when the road is open.
Tips before you go
- Spend at least two nights in Leh before crossing Khardung La into Nubra
- Carry the permit for Nubra and several photocopies of your ID, as they are checked at North Pullu and other posts
- Carry sunglasses, sunscreen and a cap for the dunes, and a warm layer for the evening
- Camel rides are short and run by the local cooperative. Agree on the duration before you start
Packages with a stay or visit in Diskit
5N/6DLadakhView
6N/7DLadakhLeh Ladakh Explorer with Turtuk
2N Leh · 2N Nubra · 1N Pangong · 1N Leh- Hotels
- Meals
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
Starts from
₹22,900
per person
8N/9DLadakhKashmir and Ladakh Road Trip
2N Srinagar · 1N Kargil · 2N Leh · 1N Nubra · 1N Pangong · 1N Leh- Hotels
- Meals
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
Starts from
₹34,900
per person
Nearby places to visit
Must visit
Mountain pass · Leh
Khardung La
A high mountain pass at about 5,360 m on the road from Leh to Nubra Valley. Most visitors stop for a short while for photos at the top.
Time needed: 15 to 20 minutes at the topRead more →Village
Turtuk
A Balti village near the end of the Shyok valley, opened to visitors in 2010, known for apricot orchards and stone houses.
Time needed: Half day, or 1 nightRead more →Must visit
Lake · Spangmik
Pangong Tso
A high-altitude lake at about 4,250 m that stretches into Tibet, known for its changing shades of blue. Nights are cold even in summer.
Time needed: 1 night, or a long day trip from LehRead more →Must visit
Town
Leh
Ladakh's main town, with Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa and a busy main bazaar. Your base for the first and last nights, and the place to acclimatise.
Time needed: 2 to 3 days, split between the start and end of the tripRead more →Nubra Valley: FAQs
How many days are enough for Nubra Valley?
Two nights are ideal. One night is enough for Diskit and Hunder, and a second night lets you add Turtuk or the drive on to Pangong.
Is a permit needed for Nubra Valley?
Yes. A permit and an environment fee are required for Nubra. Your operator can arrange it in Leh, and you should carry copies of your ID for the checkposts.
Is Nubra Valley colder than Leh?
No. Nubra is lower than Leh, at about 3,000 m, so days are warmer. Nights can still be cool, so carry a warm layer.