Nubra valley is a beautiful tourist destination located in Ladakh which is known for the Nubra and Shyok rivers that flow by the valley. 140 kilometres away from Leh, tourists who visit the valley get mesmerized by the beautiful views and divine monasteries that lead to lingering peace. Nubra valley receives maximum tourist footfall during the autumn season for its scenic beauty and motorable roads.
The Valley is best known for its magnificent snowfall spectacle during the months of October to February. But one must consider the fact that the weather is very cold during this time and temperature may dip to -4 Degree Celcius. Though visiting Nubra Valley in winter months lets you enjoy the most but you can also consider visiting the valley between July to August as the climate is moderate during this time.
History of Nubra Valley
Nubra valley is located at 10,000 ft above the sea level and is now a militarized zone. Historically, the valley was a part of the famous trading Silk route that connected Tibet with Turkistan. Ldumra was the ancient name of this destination. Locals claim that Ldumra means ‘valley of flowers’. According to the history book and historians, Nubra valley was invaded by Mongolians, Chinese and Arabs in the 7th century. Later the place was influenced by Islamic traders/invaders and ultimately by the Buddhists.
Nubra valley is also known for its oldest and the largest monastery which is Diskit Monastery. Tourists have to take special permits to go ahead and explore the place and the permit requirements and the process is different for Indian and foreign tourists. Overall, the valley comprises enthralling deserts, mountains, landscapes, and Buddhist monasteries that together make this place worth visiting once in a lifetime.
Major Attractions in and Around Nubra Valley
1. Yarab Tso
Yarab Tso or Hidden Lake is an isolated lake located in Nubra valley. It takes 15-20 minutes of trekking on a mountain to reach the lake. The view of the valley and the surroundings is enough to rejuvenate your senses.
2. Panamik Village
The Panamik village is 140 kilometres away from Leh. This is the place where foreigners are also allowed to visit. The village is known for several hot springs that are rich in sulphur. Locals claim that a dip in hot springs can cure many diseases. The village also has a market that sells Kashmiri carpets, woollen clothes, Pashmina Shawls, and products like apricots, almonds, apples, and walnuts.
3. Maitreya Buddha
The Maitreya Buddha is a recently built statue that is facing towards the Shyok river. This 32-meter tall statue is a popular tourist attraction for visitors and Buddhist followers. The statue is located opposite the Diskit Monastery and is a popular destination in the valley among locals and tourists alike.
How to Reach Nubra Valley
Nubra Valley is situated in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and is located about 140 km from Leh. To reach here, you will need to cover an approximate distance of about 1,111, 2,387, 2,462, 3,134 km from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Check out the following details on how you can reach here by various means of public transportation.
By Air
The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport of Leh is well-connected with all of the regions in India and is located at an approximate distance of 150 km from the airport. You can take buses from the airport to reach Nubra valley.
- From Surat - Board IndiGo, Vistara, Spicejet airlines from Surat Airport. The airfares will cost you between INR 9,000 - INR 12,000
- From Coimbatore - Board IndiGo, Spicejet, flights from Coimbatore Airport. The airfares will cost you between INR 10,000 - INR 15,000
- From Cochin - Board IndiGo, Spicejet, Air India flights from Cochin International Airport. The airfares are starting from INR 8,000 - INR 9,000
By Rail
Jammu Tawi Railway Station and Udhampur Railway Station are the nearest railway stations to reach Nubra Valley situated at a distance of 847 and 750-800 km respectively. From there, you can take buses and taxis towards Nubra Valley. The train station receives trains from all metropolitan cities of the country.
Durg Jammu Tawi Express and Shri Shakti Express are a few trains on which seats can be reserved to travel here.
By Road
The roadways infrastructure of Leh-Ladakh is well-designed and connects the region with other parts of India. There are regular bus services that are run by both private and government authorities to and from Ladakh. Tourists who are looking for cheaper travelling options can mull over this one.
People can also visit Ladakh on their personal vehicles such as a car or a bike. It is important to note that the main road route to visit here is via Khardung La which is one of the highest motorable roads in India.
However, apart from this one can also take Wari La to Sakti which lies in the eastern side of Khardung La.
- From Patiala - 921 km via Leh Manali Highway
- From Ludhiana - 937 km via Leh Manali Highway
- From Gulmarg - 622 km via NH1
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
