Nubra Valley Trekking

Nubra Valley Trek in Ladakh Himalaya

Passing through Khardung La, which is world’s highest motorable road, the Nubra Valley Trek breaks open to a beautiful topography that was once was a part of a trade route between India, Tibet and Central Asia. It was an important platform for caravans following the Silk Road used for swapping their mules for the famous double-hump Bactrian camels. The river Nubra following in the region is a major tributary of the Shyok river that flows parallel to the Indus on the northern side of the Ladakh range. A rich variety of vegetation and orchids can be witnessed along Nubra River which results in adding colour to the valley. Today, Nubra Valley Trek is one of the moderate to challenging treks in Ladakh region that allow exploration of coloured steep and barren walls, remote villages and Gompas.

The major attractions on this trek in Ladakh region are monasteries like Shey Gompa, which is approximately 15 kilometers away from Leh; Thiksey Gompa, which is at a distance of about 17 kilometers away from Leh and Hemis, which is situated 45 kms away from Leh and is of course one of the most popular monasteries in Ladakh region. Further the journey proceeds to the unread lore of a culture hiding within the barren topography.

Being one of the popular trekking trails in the Ladakh region, the Nubra Valley Trek attracts trekkers from different parts of the world. The valley is also often dubbed as “Valley of Flowers” and during the peak season it blossoms with varied colours flowers. The Nubra Valley trekking trail passes through several high passes namely Digar La at 6000 meters and Khardung La. Thus, the trek by and large exhibits a land that is no less than a dreamland.

Area: Ladakh Himalayas
Max. Altitude: 5420 m/17783ft
Grade: Moderate to challenging
Season: Mid-June – September

Day 01: Delhi – Leh

Fly to Leh: (11,500ft/3,500m). After early breakfast you transfer back to the domestic airport for the flight to Ladakh. This is one of the most sensational scheduled flights in the world, taking you right over the top of the Greater Himalaya before dropping down in a series of steep turns, to land at the airport at Leh. (Flight time `1.5 hours). Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is blessed with markets, curio shops and is something of a traveller’s mecca. You will be met on arrival and transferred to local hotel. We recommend that the rest of the day be filled with gentle walks in town and resting to help adjust to the altitude. Overnight in Leh.

Day 02: Tour of Ladakh’s famed monasteries and palaces

Shey Palace (15 km from Leh) The old ‘Summer Palace’ of the kings of Ladakh was built about 550 years ago by Lhachen Palgyigon, the first king of Ladakh. It stands next to the remains of a larger construction on the east side of a hill, which runs south-east towards the Indus. From the palace you can see over the fertile Indus plain northeast to Thiksey Gompa and over the Indus to the Zanskar mountain range. The old Shey palace has the largest golden Buddha statue in Ladakh in its gompa. The statue is worked out of gold and gilded copper sheets, stands 12 meters high and has blue hair. King Dalden Namgyal erected it in the middle of the 17th century. The most important moment in the construction of such a figure is when the eyes are painted in and the statue can ‘see’. No artist or monk would dare to look the Buddha in the eye so the pupils are painted over the artist’s shoulder, with his back to the idol.

Thiksey Gompa (17 km from Leh) The 500-year-old Thiksey monastery, perched on a hill high above the Indus, has the largest contingent of monks in Ladakh. On the right of the entrance to the main courtyard a new chapel houses an enormous 15-metre-high seated Buddha figure. About 100 yellow-cap sect monks belong to the gompa. We hope to witness the daily morning prayers preceded by the mournful sounds from the long Tibetan horns on the roof.

Hemis Gompa (45 km from Leh) Hemis Gompa is famous far beyond the borders of Ladakh for beauty and the Hemis annual. This takes place every year with mask dances on the 9th to 11th day of the fifth Tibetan month. Hemis also has a gigantic thangka (Buddhist cloth painting), one of the largest in the world, which is only displayed to the public every 12 years at the Hemis Festival. Hemis Gompa is the largest and one of the most important in Ladakh quite apart from its annual festival. It was founded about 350 years ago by Stagtshang Rinchen, who was invited to Ladakh by King Singe Namgyal. Each of these monasteries are profoundly beautiful in both architecture and internal artwork. Overnight at the Hotel in Leh.

Day 03: Leh to Sham valley excursion and drive to Phyang

Sham valley excursion upto Sangam After breakfast you drive downstream along the River Indus on Leh – Kargil Highway. And start our sightseeing with Hall of Fame (Museum Constructed by India Army) near Leh is worth a visit for every Indian, and proceed further to Gurudwara Patthar Sahib Nestled deep in the Himalayas, A drive of another 4 km took us to Magnetic Hill which defies the law of gravity & further Driving through a picturesque landscape we reached the Confluence of The Indus and Zanskar River. After visiting above places we drive towards Phyang for overnight. Overnight in Phyang Camp.

Day 04: Trek from Phyang – Phyang Phu

In the morning we will visit Phyang Monastery and village followed by a short walk to reach our first camp at Phyang Phu. Phyang Phu is area where locals bring livestock for grazing during summer month.

Day 05: Phyang Phu – South base of Lasermo 4700m (4 hours)

After a leisurely breakfast, we will continue our trek to the base of Lasermo La (pass) at 4700 m. From there we have a view of complete Stok range especially the Stok Peak at 6130m above sea level. Stok range and Ladakh range are the ranges where Leh is situated. This area is one of the major routes for crossing the Ladakh range.

Day 06: South base of Lasermo – North base via Lasermola 5400m (6-7 hours).

Today we start quite early in the morning as we need our ponies to cross the small glacier by midday. as we will cross the Lasermo Pass (5400m). The top of Lasermo pass offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, the Indus valley and the Shayok Valley. The trail from the pass towards our camp passes rough moraines The campsite is in a beautiful meadow and offer opportunities to explore and see flowers growing at high altitude.

Day 07: North base – Hundar Dok (5 hours)

Today we will walk down through a valley of meadows and flowers. Most of the time, we will be walking alongside the Hundar stream. After following the stream for a while, we will pass through shepherds’ huts, where the men and women from HundarDok Village live with their Yaks, cows, goats and sheep. They could be seen collecting milk, cheese, butter, wild vegetables and fuel for the winter. If you feel adventurous, you can taste the delicious milk and cheese with Tsampa. Our campsite is just above the Village of Dok Gongma (Upper Dok).

Day 08: Hundar Upper Dok- Skarchen (5 hours)

Another beautiful day! We will pass through the villages of DokGongma, DokYokma and Wachan, which are names of different places with concentrations of scattered houses belonging to a common village known locally as Hundar Dok. We will take out time to get to camp at Skarchen, so we may visit some of the local families and can spend time exploring the villages.

Day 09: Skarchen – Hunder (4 hours)

The last day of trekking is through the beautiful Hunder Gorge, which opens up just before descending to Hunder Bridge. Before the final descent we will have a great view of SaserKangri Peak (7672m). Upon arrival check in to the tents and later visit Sumur , another pretty village on the other side of the river. Samstaling Gompa located in Samstaling was founded by Lama Tsultims Nima and the monastic community was introduced. About 50 monks are residing at this 132 years old Monastery. Overninght at Camp or Guest House.

Day 10: Explore Hundar and Tiger Valley

Early in the morning walk up to Diskit monastery to witness the morning prayer ceremony. It takes about 45 minutes through a long row of scattered chortens to reach the gompa, which is set on the highest point near the village. Belonging to the Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect, parts of the gompa, which houses 120 resident monks, are about 750 years old. The Dukhang has many statues, one of, which holds the head, and left arm of a Turkish invader believed to be 500 years old.

Return to the camp for breakfast after which drive 7 kms to visit Hundar gompa. This is a small gompa belonging to the Gelug-pa sect, set amidst innumerable chortens and has a huge impressive statue of Chamba in the main prayer hall. The gompa was built at the time King Jamgyal Namgyal came here with his wife Gyal Khatun. We also explore the village, which has some beautiful old houses.

Drive down towards the Shyok river across an extremely rough and rocky stretch of flat ground. Cross the river over a bridge and arrive at the first village of Tirith. The road from here is extremely bad all the way up to Panamik. The scenery however, is spectacular, with the snow-capped Karakoram mountains in the background. The weather being much warmer in Nubra in comparison to the Indus valley, the vegetation is thicker, with a variety of trees and flowers. Nubra is also known for its two-humped Bactrian camel which is found in these parts. The camels are left to graze in the wild during the summer months and are brought back only during the winter months when they are used as beasts of burden and for their wool.

We visit the 150-year-old Samsthanling gompa at Sumur. It is a big complex of 7 temples including the Rimpoche’s room. Walk half an hour from the gompa to Tegar village where there is another small gompa. Walk through the village and explore its beautiful surroundings near the jungle and a small lake. Overnight at the camp or Guest House.

Day 11: Drive Hundar to Leh via Khardung La (6 hours, 18,300′ feet/5,600 m)

Morning after breakfast drive to Leh via Khardung La Pass (one of the highest motorable roads in the world). The Nubra Valley was on the caravan route from Leh to Kashgar via the Sasir and Karakoram passes. On arrival at Leh check in to hotel. Overnight at the Hotel in Leh.

Day 12: Fly Leh to Delhi

Morning you will be transferred to the airport to connect flight for Delhi. On arrival you can catch onwards flights to your home.

Trip & services ends here.