Nubra Valley Guide: Hunder Dunes, Desert Camps and Diskit Monastery

Nubra Valley, north of Leh, is where the Shyok and Nubra rivers meet in a wide valley of sand dunes, villages and orchards. It is famous for the cold desert at Hunder, double-humped Bactrian camels, and the giant Maitreya Buddha at Diskit Monastery. A night in a desert camp here is one of the highlights of a Ladakh trip.

Getting to Nubra

Hunder is about 125 km from Leh, roughly 4 to 5 hours by road over Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world. Do not stop long at the top; the air is very thin. Only go once you have spent at least two days acclimatising in Leh. Check the current permit rules for Nubra before you leave, as covered in our Ladakh adventure guide.

Staying in a desert camp

Camps around Hunder have proper tents with beds, blankets and usually an attached bathroom, set among willow trees close to the dunes. Dinner and breakfast are normally included. Evenings are for watching the sunset over the dunes, and nights for stargazing. With almost no light pollution, the Milky Way is often visible on clear nights.

• Nights are cold even in summer. Bring a warm jacket, cap and socks.
• Electricity may be limited to a few hours in the evening. Carry a power bank.
• Mobile signal is patchy; postpaid connections work best.

The Hunder dunes to Diskit trek

An easy-to-moderate walk of about 8 km across the dunes and through villages to Diskit Monastery. It is mostly flat, but the altitude (around 3,100 m) and sun make it tiring, so start early, carry water and wear sunscreen. You end at the monastery, the oldest and largest in Nubra, and the 32 m Maitreya Buddha statue that looks down the valley.

Other things to do

• Bactrian camel ride: short rides on the dunes at Hunder, usually in the late afternoon.
• Panamik hot springs: natural sulphur springs further up the Nubra river.
• Turtuk: a Balti village close to the border, with apricot orchards and a very different culture. It is a long day trip from Hunder.

Suggested plan

Day 1: Leave Leh early, cross Khardung La, reach Hunder by lunch. Rest, then sunset on the dunes and a night at camp. Day 2: Morning trek from the dunes to Diskit Monastery, then drive back to Leh, or continue to Turtuk or Pangong if you have more days.