Nubra Valley, or Dumra as it was traditionally known, meaning “Valley of flowers”, is a high-altitude desert in Ladakh. It has been a hot spot for bikers and travellers for many years. Until 2010 tourists could travel to Hunder only. But over the years, new towns and villages have opened their gates to tourism. When it comes to sightseeing in Nubra Valley, there is plenty. In this Nubra Valley sightseeing guide, I have listed all the towns and villages to visit and activities to undertake. They are-

• Diskit
• Hunder
• Turtuk
• Panamik
• Siachen Basecamp

DISKIT

Diskit is a well-known town in the Nubra valley region. It is home to the oldest and biggest monastery in the area and is the administrative centre of Nubra Valley. Many of the government offices are in Diskit. When in Nubra valley, don’t forget to visit the Diskit Gompa and the Maitreya Buddha statue.

DISKIT GOMPA

It is the oldest and biggest monastery in Diskit and is associated with the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Changzem Tserab Zangpo founded the Gompa in the 14th century. It sits atop a hill on the banks of the Shyok river.

The statue of Cho Rinpoche, the crowned Buddha, is worshipped in the main prayer hall. This statue should not be confused with the Maitreya Buddha statue. The monastery is home to other shrines, ancient manuscripts and frescoes. Aside from this, the Diskit Gompa runs a school for locals. Here the children are taught English.

There is an interesting legend. Once upon a time, an anti-Buddhist Mongol demon lived near the monastery. Later he died there. According to Mongolian mythology, the demon’s wrinkled head and hand are in one of the shrines in the Gompa. True or not? I don’t know. I don’t remember seeing a wrinkled hand. But I remember the beautiful vistas of the Maitreya Buddha and the Diskit.

TIMINGS:- Open from 7 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 7 pm.

TICKETS:- Rs. 30 per person.

MAITREYA BUDDHA STATUE

The Maitreya Buddha, a 106 ft tall statue, sits atop a hill overlooking Diskit. Visitors often think the sculpture and the Diskit monastery are on the same hill. That’s incorrect. The Diskit Gompa is on a separate and higher mountain overlooking the Maitreya Buddha and the town. Due to this, many solely visit the statue and not the Gompa.

The Maitreya Buddha is a tourist place. But that was not the objective of constructing the statue. The reasons for erecting the statue are- to protect Diskit, encourage world peace and stop further wars with Pakistan. It took four years to complete the structure, and in 2010 the 14th Dalai Lama inaugurated the statue. The statue has two levels. On the lower level are the prayer wheels. Walk up a short flight of stairs to the upper level where the statue sits. The enormous Buddha is a magnificent sight. Maitreya Buddha statue is a must-visit in Diskit.

The best time to visit the statue is early morning or late evening when the crowds are fewer.

TICKETS:- There is a small entrance fee of Rs. 30 per person for visiting the statue.

HUNDER

Hunder is 10 kilometres from Diskit. Known for its dunes and double-hump camels, Hunder is a must-visit when in Nubra Valley.

HUNDER DUNES

The Hunder dunes are a result of various geological phenomena. This cold desert, at an altitude of 10,000 ft, is a must-visit in Nubra Valley. The dunes surround the town of Hunder, hence the name. The desert is home to the Bactrian camels, commonly known as double-hump camels.

The dunes are a favourite among visitors. You can relax and enjoy the dunes, enjoy a hot beverage and snacks from the small cafe dunes or go on a camel ride. The best time to visit the Hunder dunes is early morning or dusk. The crowds are fewer, and you can watch a beautiful sunset from here.

NOTE:- If you want a camel ride, arrive early. Visitors start lining up from 3 pm onwards for camel rides. The queue for a camel ride is a kilometre long, and your turn might arrive in an hour or two.

TICKETS:- There is a separate fee for camel rides.

PANAMIK

Panamik or Panamic is short for “Spang Na Chumik”, meaning “the spring in the meadow”. It is known for its hot springs, hence the name. It is a small village 55 km from Diskit and is the last Indian town from the Indo-Tibetan border. You can visit Panamik on a day trip from Diskit.

PANAMIK HOT SPRINGS

Panamik is best known for its hot springs. The water from the springs has a high concentration of sulphur which is beneficial for curing skin ailments and rheumatism. There are a few spots where one can find the hot springs. But there is a bathhouse for visitors.

When I say bathhouse, don’t expect anything fancy. It is a small building with separate sections for men and women. Inside there is a shallow rectangular tank where visitors can sit and relax. Two pipes fill the tank. One has hot water from the springs, and the other is cold water. There are stalls for changing and showers. There is a small restaurant next door. Here you can have lunch, snacks, tea or coffee.

NOTE:- Bring your toiletries, towels and other essentials. They don’t provide any.

A long soak in the hot springs is a must-have experience in Nubra Valley. It is the best place to unwind after hours of sightseeing and exploring. I highly recommend visiting here.

TICKETS:- There is a small fee of Rs. 30 per head.

TURTUK

Turtuk is the northernmost and the second closest village to the LOC between India and Pakistan. Before the Indo-Pak war of 1971, Turtuk was a part of Pakistan. Located on the banks of the Shyok river, Turtuk is a beautiful and quiet hamlet. Turtuk is known as the gateway to the Siachen glacier.

Man travellers visit Turtuk on a day trip from Hunder or Diskit. The drive to Turtuk is scenic. The village is 91.8 km and takes 2.5-3 hours. So leave early morning before the tourist buses arrive. Turtuk is a small town with a few tourist spots and plenty of natural beauty. Spend time on the banks of the Shyok river, take a walk on the suspension bridge, enjoy the view, dine at one of the beautiful riverside cafes, and shop for apricot products. A little outside Turtuk, there are several shops offering river rafting services. I wouldn’t recommend it because the water was too still and shallow for river rafting.

If permitted, visit Thang, the last Indian village from the LOC between India and Pakistan. Due to safety reasons, tourists are not allowed entry beyond Turtuk. It is a must-visit in Nubra Valley. The LOC and the first Pakistani village from the border are visible from Thang. It too was a part of Pakistan before the 1971 war. If you are lucky, do visit this sleepy hamlet.

SIACHEN BASE CAMP

Siachen base camp is a noteworthy part of Nubra Valley sightseeing. However, few people have the privilege of travelling to the base camp. It, of course, is due to security reasons. Even if you have a permit, the military is at liberty to grant entry to visitors or not. So if you are lucky, don’t miss out on this golden opportunity. I am one of the lucky few who visited the Siachen base camp.

Visitors can not enter the base camp for security reasons. But there are other spots where tourists are allowed. A must-visit is the OP Baba shrine, dedicated to Om Prakash, an officer who fought enemies in Siachen glacier. According to the tales of soldiers, Om Prakash was on patrol at the Malaun post in the Siachen glacier when he fought and defeated the enemy. But they didn’t find his body. Since then, officers have dreamt of him. They believe he warns the officers of the upcoming dangers and protects the glacier. Therefore, his shrine is at the Siachen base camp.

There is a small gallery showcasing stories of battles, pictures of extensive training, and difficulties the soldiers have to face when stationed at the posts in the glacier. It was freezing at the base camp. Despite wearing multiple layers, I was cold. I can only imagine what the soldiers have to endure at their posts. I respect and appreciate the soldiers at the Siachen base camp. Near the gallery is a small canteen and souvenir stall. Here you can eat the best snacks and buy t-shirts, mugs, etc.

Siachen base camp is 5-6 hours away from Diskit. I visited the base camp and stopped in Panamik on the return journey. It was late, so I spent the night in Sumur.

CONCLUSION

Nubra Valley sightseeing is a vital part of a Ladakh tour. You can not say you have travelled to Ladakh if you haven’t been to Nubra Valley. The high-altitude cold desert is beautiful and captivating. In this Nubra Valley sightseeing guide, I have listed all the must-visit places in different towns and villages. This guide pertains only to sightseeing in Nubra Valley. But I have also posted a Ladakh travel guide and a Leh sightseeing guide. You can refer to them when planning your Ladakh holiday.

I hope this was helpful. But if you think I missed something, please let me know in the comments.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

Sometimes you just need the adventure to cleanse the bitter taste of life from your soul.

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