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Pangong lake road, near Muglib (or Mugleb or Muglik), village near Tangtse. the stream is tangtse river. Photo credit: nnnkit
The main attractions of Nubra are the highest motorable road, Khardongla pass (18,380ft.), majestic peaks, glaciers, valleys, and villages. Diskit and Samstanling Gonpa, Panamik hot spring, double-humped camel safari, river rafting, trekking, and sunbathing in the sand dunes at Hunder are also popular. The valley, known as Ldumra or the valley of orchard/flowers, is located in the North of Ladakh, between Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas, and lies at average altitude about 10,000 feet above sea level.
This Nubra Valley travel guide has answers to your questions about visiting here. From sights to getting there, lodging, and packing – it’s all in this post. You’ll also get my Nubra Valley sightseeing experiences. Get ready for this whirlwind tour through Nubra Valley Ladakh.
Start of the Journey: Leh to Nubra
The distance from Leh to Nubra Valley is around 115 kms and takes 5-6 hours. The journey goes through the Khardung La pass, the highest motorable road globally, at an altitude of about 5,600 meters. The views are amazing.
Located along the Northern border of India, below the Siachen glacier, is the Nubra Valley. The Shyok river and the Nubra river (Siachen river) flow through this vale creating three arms between the Ladakh and Karakorum range of mountains.
Nubra Valley is famous for its Bactrian camels with two humps, different from normal camels. The Bactrian camel safari in the Hundar sand dunes is memorable.
Due to Ladakh’s instability, Indians need an Inner Line Permit to visit the Nubra Valley and other areas. The rules can be relaxed with effort.
Nubra in Ladakhi means Western. The valley was originally called Ldumra, which in Tibetan means “Valley of Flowers” due to the blossoms that still spring between June to August. The contrast of landforms has interesting facts. Here are some facts about Nubra Valley.
Nubra Valley Ladakh is 3000m above sea level, lower than Leh, making acclimatization easier.
The valley is known as the Orchard of Ladakh because of its numerous Apricot plantations.
Shyok river in this cold desert valley is known as the “river of death” because it originates from the Rimo glacier and flows fast, making it impossible to cross.
Best time to viist
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Nubra valley is as given below. The best time to visit Nubra valley is also specified.
| MONTH | BEST TIME | MIN. TEMP (°C) | MAX. TEMP (°C) | |
| January | -10 | 15 | ||
| February | -10 | 15 | ||
| March | -10 | 15 | ||
| April | 8 | 20 | ||
| May | 8 | 20 | ||
| June | Best time | 8 | 20 | |
| July | Best time | 8 | 20 | |
| August | Best time | 3 | 12 | |
| September | 3 | 12 | ||
| October | -10 | 15 | ||
| November | -10 | 15 | ||
| December | -10 | 15 |
Nubra Valley’s history?
Baltistan province of the Nubra Valley, mostly Muslim, joined Pakistan. During the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, India regained Chulunka, Turtuk, Tyakshi and Thang. The change happened overnight. Residents went to bed in Pakistan and woke up in India.
The liberation of the Turtuk Block in 1971 and the Siachen Glacier in 1984 eliminated the threat of Pakistan having a border with China along the Karakoram Range and endangering India’s sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir. Today, they are part of the Nubra sub-division of Leh district.
In the early 19th century, Ladakh, including the Nubra Valley, became a strategic point of contention. The Sikh Empire took control from the Mughals through invasions and merged it into Jammu and Kashmir. In 2019, Ladakh was declared a separate union territory of India, increasing its importance.
Nubra is between the Ladakh and Karakoram mountain ranges. It borders the Gangche district of Baltistan (PoK) to the west, and to the north lie Xinjiang (China-occupied East Turkistan) and Shaksgam (China-occupied Baltistan).
Turtuk block and Siachen glacier
The liberation of the Turtuk block in 1971 and the Siachen Glacier in 1984 removed the strategic threat posed by Pakistan having a contiguous border with China along the Karakoram Range, which could have jeopardized India's sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir. Today, these areas are part of the Nubra sub-division in Leh district, situated between the Ladakh and Karakoram mountain ranges.
The people of Gilgit and Baltistan resisted militant training camps and the use of Baltistan as a launching pad for infiltration into India. Pakistani militants have mistreated the people of Gilgit and Baltistan. Locals still recall the 1988 genocide when militants attacked Gilgit, massacred innocent people, and abducted hundreds of women. Eleven years have passed and the fate of those women remains unknown.
Locals knew that allowing their land to be used for militancy would anger the Indian army. If war broke out, Baltistan and Ladakh would suffer, not Pakistan. The locals demanded that the camps be closed and militants moved out. In one incident, Skardo town people skirmished with the militants, leading to a curfew.
Today, Nubra Valley focuses on socio-economic development. Local youth join the Indian Army to protect their valley. The locals support Indian initiatives like Operation Sadbhavana, which has reduced poverty and created jobs.
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