Nubra Valley is a three-armed valley located to the northeast of the Ladakh Valley. It is formed at the confluence of the Shyok and Nubra river. The Shyok River flows northwest and the Nubra River forms an acute angle, joining it from the north-northwest. The Shyok River goes further and joins the Indus River. The central settlement of Nubra is 150 km away from Leh.
The average elevation of this valley is 3,038 m॰ or 10,000 feet. According to the locals here, its ancient name was Dumra (Valley of Flowers). To reach here one has to go through Leh to Khardung La Pass.A delightful place with greenery, surrounded by powerful mountains all around, where every color of gray is visible, the deep Nubra valley of Ladakh is nothing short of a miraculous repetition of nature. Nubra is a popular tourist destination, with its vast stretches of isolated, yet stunning, dry sand dunes, ancient ruins and serene Buddhist monasteries. Located about 150 km from the city of Leh, the valley lies at the confluence of rivers called Shyok and Siachen.
The history of Nubra Valley can be traced back to the 7th century when Buddhism was on the rise. It was the predominant religion followed by the people living in this region. A monastery constructed in the 14th century, called the Diskit Gompa, stands in the valley till date.
Historically, the valley was a part of the famous trading Silk route that connected Tibet with Turkistan. Ldumra was the ancient name of this destination. Locals claim that Ldumra means ‘valley of flowers’. According to the history book and historians, Nubra valley was invaded by Mongolians, Chinese and Arabs in the 7th century.
There are many popular tourist attractions in Nubra Valley. Some of the most popular ones are:
1. Khardung La Pass: Once considered as the highest motorable road in the world (now this claim is disputed by most), Khardung La is one of the primary tourist attractions of the entire Ladakh region and not just Nubra valley
2. Hunder Sand Dunes: The breathtaking Nubra Valley’s major attraction is its large cold desert near Hunder Village. Encircled by the lofty jagged barren mountains, the cold desert is where one can enjoy the most popular activities in Nubra, Bactrian Camel (Double-Humped) Ride. Camping in Hunder is also one of the must-do activities in Nubra
3. Bactrian Camels: The Bactrian Camels are a unique attraction of Nubra Valley. They are known for their double humps and are found only in this region
4. Maitreya Buddha: The Maitreya Buddha statue is located near Diskit Monastery and is one of the tallest statues in Ladakh
5. Hot Water Springs: The hot water springs located at Panamik village are known for their medicinal properties and are a popular tourist attraction
6. Samstanling Monastery: Samstanling Monastery is located in Sumur village and is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Ladakh
7. Diskit Monastery: Diskit Monastery is located on a hilltop above Diskit village and offers panoramic views of the valley
8. Yarab Tso Lake: Yarab Tso Lake is a beautiful lake located near Sumur village and is a popular tourist attraction
The best time to visit Nubra Valley is during the summer season from April to June and September-October. During this time, the weather and climate remain pleasant after the extremely harsh and frigid winter months. With temperatures hovering between 8°C to 20°C, tourists can enjoy their stay in the valley, exploring the beauty of the surroundings.
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