Nubra Valley – A Desert Dream in the Lap of the Himalayas

If I had to describe Nubra Valley in one word, it would be: unexpected. You don’t imagine finding sand dunes, double-humped camels, and a lush river cutting through the desert—all surrounded by snow-capped mountains—at 10,000 feet above sea level. But that’s Nubra for you. Quietly magical, full of surprises, and the kind of place that lingers in your memory like a favorite dream.

The Journey There – A Ride You Won’t Forget

Reaching Nubra means crossing Khardung La, one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The road itself feels like an adventure—hairpin bends, thin air, prayer flags fluttering wildly at the top, and then suddenly, you descend into this stunning green valley that seems to appear out of nowhere.

The contrast is unreal. One moment you’re surrounded by snow, and the next, you’re staring at sand dunes.

Where the Desert Meets the Mountains

The first time I saw Hunder, I had to blink twice. There were camels—actual Bactrian camels with two humps—just chilling in the dunes, with jagged peaks in the background. It felt like I’d accidentally wandered into a National Geographic documentary.

You can take a short camel ride at sunset, or just wander through the dunes with bare feet and let the soft, cold sand sink under you. It’s peaceful in a way that’s hard to explain—like the valley is quietly watching over you.

Diskit Monastery – Above It All

High up on a hill, overlooking the entire valley, sits the Diskit Monastery. And beside it? A giant statue of Maitreya Buddha, calmly gazing out over the landscape. The climb up to the monastery is worth every step. Inside, it’s quiet and sacred, but it’s the view outside that really hits you—layers of mountain, river, and light all blending into something unreal.

People, Simplicity, and Soul

The people of Nubra are some of the kindest I’ve ever met. Life here is simple, but full. Kids playing outside in the cold, families tending to their farms, and locals always ready with a smile or a hot cup of tea. It reminded me how little we actually need to be content.