Nubra Valley, India
The Nubra Valley (Valle Nubra) is one of the world's most beautiful valleys. It is located in northern India, approximately 150 kilometers north of Leh, the capital city of Ladakh. Khardung La is accessible from Leh via the Shyok Valley. To reach the Nubra Valley, cross the Shyok River via a small bridge and pass through a military checkpoint. Keep in mind that a pass for the "Internal Line" that allows access to this region is required.
The Nubra Valley is home to a number of small towns with a lot of picturesque atmosphere that give the valley life. Examples include the villages of Sumur, which has a Buddhist gompa, and Panamik, which is notable for its hot springs.
Shyok Valley has two villages that are accessible to foreigners: Diskit and Hundar. Diskit has a very active gompa in a prominent location, and Hundar has its own attractions, including the exotic Bactrian camels, dunes, mountains, and snowy peaks. Ladakh, also known as the "Land of High Passes," is one of the most spectacular areas of the Indian Himalayas. It forms the eastern part of the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir, and is located between Pakistan, Tibet, the Chinese province of Xinjiang, and the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The Nubra Valley, a lock of dirt on the very scalp of India, lies to the north of Leh, the "capital" of Ladakh. It is a remote enclave of stark beauty, cradled by rugged mountains.
The area, as we previously discussed, is made up of two valleys: Nubra and Shyok. Its two rivers emerge from the Karakoram Range's remote peaks and heavily glaciated valleys. The Nubra flows into western Pakistan to join the powerful Indus after joining the Shyok in the region's center, close to Diskit. A wonder to discover and be inspired by! On the bare slope of Diskit Monastery, a small watchtower with prayer flags overlooks the wide Shyok River valley.
The distant villages and their patchy fields add a human touch to the muscular landscape and immense views as you enter the Shyok Valley through the village of Khardung. Large and very nice houses can be found nestled between poplar groves and barley fields! Nubra's settlements are all built on ledges of land above rivers. What lies ahead for us in that valley? A couple of ancient Buddhist monasteries, a herd of mostly feral camels grazing on a strip of dunes at the valley's bottom, walking and hiking trails, and a long drive through the Shyok Valley can easily fill several days of exploration.
