Ladakh · India
Nubra Valley
A high desert valley north of Leh beyond the Khardung La, where the Shyok and Nubra rivers meet — sand dunes with double-humped Bactrian camels at Hunder, the giant Maitreya of Diskit, and the far Balti village of Turtuk.
Nubra is high-desert Ladakh: the Diskit monastery and its towering Maitreya, camel rides on the Hunder dunes, the Balti-Muslim village of Turtuk, Panamik hot springs, and Ladakhi-Balti food.
Plan your trip
Nubra Valley Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Nubra Valley Photo Spots
Medium crowdEntry Nominal
Diskit Monastery
- Best timeLate afternoon, when the sun comes round onto the Maitreya's face and the valley below turns gold; early morning for quiet courtyards and soft light on the whitewashed gompa.
- ColorsMaroonSaffronCream
High crowdEntry Free (camel ride extra)
Hunder Sand Dunes
- Best timeLate afternoon into sunset, when low light carves the ripples and the camels are out for their second shift; early morning for clean sand and no crowds.
- ColorsCreamRustCobalt
High crowdEntry Free (permit)
Khardung La
- Best timeMorning, when the sky is usually clearest and the queue at the summit sign is shorter; early afternoon on the way back for side light on the snow.
- ColorsRedBlackWhite
Entry Nominal
Panamik Hot Springs
- Best timeEarly morning, when the cold air makes the steam from the springs visible against the dark rock; afternoon for side light on the green fields and the river.
- ColorsRustCreamCobalt
Low crowdEntry Free
Turtuk Village
- Best timeMorning, when the sun lights the orchards and the stone lanes are quiet; late afternoon for warm light on the cliffs above the Shyok.
- ColorsRustCreamForest green
For the feed
Trending Wear in Nubra Valley
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Nubra Valley Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Nubra Valley
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Nubra Valley
Representative photoDiskit Kitchen
Diskit
Representative photoDune View Café
Hunder
Representative photoNubra Organic Retreat
Hunder
Representative photoTurtuk Balti Kitchen
Turtuk
Where Nubra is
Nubra is the valley system on the far side of Khardung La, north of Leh. Two rivers shape it. The Shyok runs east to west and carries on towards Baltistan, and the Nubra, also called the Siachen River, comes down from the north to join it. Diskit is the main town, about 120 km from Leh. The valley floor sits at roughly 3,000 to 3,200 metres, which is lower than Leh, but the road in crosses a pass at about 5,360 metres.
How a visit usually runs
Most people give Nubra two or three nights. The first afternoon goes on Diskit Monastery and the Hunder dunes, which are a short drive apart. The next day is either west along the Shyok to Turtuk, about 80 km from Hunder and close to the Line of Control, or north up the Nubra river to Sumur and the Panamik hot springs. Doing both in one day means most of it in the car.
Permits and altitude
Indian nationals no longer need an Inner Line Permit for Nubra. Instead you pay the environment fee online through the Leh administration's permit portal and carry printed copies, which are checked at South Pullu and North Pullu on either side of Khardung La. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit, arranged through a registered agent in Leh. These rules have changed several times since 2021, so check them before you travel.
Spend at least 48 hours in Leh before you cross the pass. Headache, breathlessness and poor sleep are warning signs. Going straight from the airport to Nubra is how people end up in hospital.
Two cultures in one valley
Diskit, Hunder and Sumur are Buddhist Ladakhi villages with gompas, prayer wheels and chortens. Turtuk and the villages around it are Balti and Muslim, and they came under India only in 1971. They are the only Balti region in the country. Dress modestly in both, and ask before you photograph anyone.
Practical notes
Nubra is a cold desert. The midday sun burns, and nights are cold even in July. Most visitors sleep in guesthouses or tented camps around Hunder and Diskit, with dinner included. Mobile signal is patchy away from the main villages, and prepaid SIMs from outside Ladakh generally do not work here, so tell people at home you may go quiet. Carry enough cash.
A road along the Shyok links Nubra with Pangong, so many people do Leh, Nubra, Pangong and back to Leh as a loop. See the best time to visit for the season, and what to wear for the layers you will need.
Questions
Nubra Valley — FAQ
How many nights should I spend in Nubra Valley?
Two nights is the usual minimum: one day for Diskit and Hunder, one for Turtuk or Panamik. Three nights lets you see both without spending the whole second day in the car.
Can I go to Nubra on my first day in Ladakh?
No. Spend at least 48 hours in Leh first. The road crosses Khardung La at about 5,360 metres, and going up before your body has adjusted is the main cause of altitude sickness here.
Do Indian tourists still need an Inner Line Permit for Nubra?
Not since 2021. Indian nationals pay the environment fee online through the Leh permit portal and carry the printout. Foreign nationals still need a Protected Area Permit through a registered agent. Check the current rules before you go.
Is Nubra higher than Leh?
No. Diskit is at about 3,150 metres, a little lower than Leh. The high point of the trip is Khardung La on the way in, so many people sleep better in Nubra than they did in Leh.
Can I drive from Nubra to Pangong without going back to Leh?
Yes, usually. A road along the Shyok links the two valleys. It is rough in places and can be cut by high water or landslides, so ask in Diskit the evening before you set off.