Nubra Valley

The native scholars put forward that the original name of Nubra Valley was Ldumra (meaning the valley loaded with flowers). The Shyok River merges with the Nubra River or the Siachan River so that it forms a huge gorge that splits the Ladakh as well as the Karakoram Ranges. Apart from this, the Shyok River is a remarkable tributary of Indus River. The regular altitude of the gorge is around 10,000 ft. i.e. 3048 meters directly above the sea level.

Nubra Valley is at a peak height so as a cold desert with infrequent rainfall and scanty flora apart from the river beds. The villages nearby posses well watered and fertile soil, producing mustard, peas, barley, wheat and apricots, walnuts, blood apples, nuts and fruits along with the few almond trees.

Mainly the Nubra Valley region is inhabited by speakers of NubraSkat. The majority are from the Buddhists community. In the lowest or western high end of the Nubra Valley close to the LOC i.e. the Indo-Pak edge, sideways the Shyok River, the inhabitants are Balti from Gilgit-Baltistan, who voice Balti, and are Shia, Sufia Nurbakhshia Muslims. The Sasser Pass and the famous Karakoram Pass are located to valley’s northwest while connect Nubra valley with Uyghur.

Tourism

The valley was accessible to the tourists till Hunder until 2010. The area behind the Hunder is the greener area of Ladakh because of its lower altitude. The village of Turtuk which was unknown to the outsiders till 2010 is a naïve place for people who desire peace and an introduction with the tribal community of Ladakh. The village is filled with apricot trees and children. Balti, the local tribe still follows their own traditional custom in their lifestyle and uses the language which does not have diagrammatic forms. Turtuk offers beautiful scenic camping sites with environment friendly infrastructure to the visiting tourists.

Diskit is the head office of the Nubra Valley plus has many government workplaces with basic facilities. The place is even linked by road with Leh district. The 32 meter high Maitreya Buddha figure is the prominent landmark of the Nubra Valley and is preserved by the Diskit Monastery. There are villages situated along the Nubra River or Siachan River of Turtuk, Panamik, Tirith, Kyagar, Sumur and many more. The Samstanling convent is amid Kyagar and Sumur townships, and Panamik is noted for its warm springs. Diagonally the NubraRiver or Siachan River at Panamik, is the remote Ensa Gompa.

The Diskit Monastery is dramatically located on the Shyok (which is pronounced as Shayok) River, there is a main village called Diskit, which is dwelling to the noticeably positioned Diskit Monastery. At one time Hundar District was the center of the previous Nubra kingdom in the 17th century and now it is home to the Chamba Gompa. Between Diskit and Hundar districts there are several kilometers of sand dunes, plus Bactrian camels that have two humps. These graze in the neighboring "woodlands" of sea buck thorn. Non-locals are not allowed to enter below Hundar village, as it is a boundary area. The attractive Baigdandu village is also positioned in this region. There is a noticeable existence of populace with surprising blue eyes, reddish-brown hair, and shy cheeks as against the trait mongoloid features of individuals of Ladakhis. The native lore has it that they were a initially Greek tribe that came here searching for Jesus Christ's tomb but then eventually they settled here itself. Baigdandu is even known for the herd of goats that provide you the well-known Pashmina shawls.

How to Reach

The commonly preferred route to reach Nubra valley is to travel over the Khardung La pass from Leh town. Tourists should acquire an Inner Line Permit (from DC office, Leh town) to visit Nubra valley. The main route to the Nubra valley is over the Khardung La pass which is open all throughout the year. There are many trekking routes over the Ladakh range from the Indus valley at several points.

Air Transport

The nearest airport is in Leh. From here one has to hire an SUV or other four wheel vehicle to reach the Nubra valley.

Roadways Transport

The Nubra valley is about 120 km from Leh. There is only one pass to travel and one can opt for an SUV or any other four wheelers.

Rail

The closest railway station is at Leh. From here an SUV or any four wheelers can be opted to travel to Nubra valley.

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