Where is nubra valley

The valley is accessible through the world's highest motorable road : the Khardung La. Panamik Village is the last settlement in the northern end of the Nubra valley and is open to tourists. Nubra's stark landscape, jagged mountains and altitude attract adventure tourists from across the globe. Diskit is the Sub-Division HQ. Diskit Gonpa is also situated at a height of about mtrs. Above the village, on the spur of rocky mountain and at the most commanding point having clear view of the entire central part of Nubra.

Samstanling Gonpa is situated on the North, facing Diskit Gonpa. This Gonpa is equally important and recreationally it assumes greater importance for being situated at a commanding scenic view point at the foot hills of Karakoram ranges up above Tegar and Sumoor villages, amidst plenty of water and high vegetation. The caravans travelling Central Asia and Kashmir through Nubra valley used to stay at those villages.

When you take a trip to the village, do lend a keen pair of ears to the locals. They will recount heartbreaking stories of the night when their elders slept in Pakistan but woke up in India the next morning. Many families, relatives and friends found themselves separated apart in two antagonistic countries forever. If you carry binoculars or with luck, sometimes the army post lends one, you could gaze at the Pakistani side of the border.

And, maybe, have a peek at the villagers on the other side. Who knows? Due to this peculiar past, Turtuk offers a distinctive Balti culture to witness. The inhabitants speak Balti language, a tongue mainly spoken in Baltistan today. Due to its lower altitude, if toured at the right time of the season, you might get treated with luscious and sweet apricots that are famed across Ladakh.

Only a few gompas dot the village, while a royal house is still preserved and maintained by the locals. You could also visit a Balti heritage museum, ruins of a Brokpa fort the first settlers of Ladakh , a 16th-century old Mosque and many such curious attractions. Situated along the Nubra River, with wide expanses of green fields and dense orchards, the village boasts of Samstanling monastery. Built in , Samstanling is one of the largest gompas of Nubra with almost a hundred monk residents today.

If you wish to stay in a peaceful place, Sumur could be the right choice. In the vicinity, you could also enjoy the waterfalls that dot the village. Since , the villagers have begun offering accommodation facilities to the visitors for night stays. You could spend time at homestays, guesthouses and tent camps savouring the hospitality and stories of the families. A hot water-spring flows through the village meadows, hence the name Panamik or Spang na Chumik.

The village is famed for its hot spring , considered therapeutic with medicinal benefits. The amchis traditional doctors recommend bathing in this hot spring to cure many ailments with high success rates. Panamik is also the base camp for the trek to Ensa gompa. Hidden in the recess folds of mountains, Ensa monastery rests on a hill overlooking the valley beneath. Locals visit the gompa as a pilgrimage and to see the footprint of Maitreya Buddha, believed to be self-generated without anyone engraving it.

Curious fact: back in the Silk Route days, Panamik was the first place for the traders from Yarkand to halt over. Historically, it was a thoroughfare, an important trade landmark and a meeting point for the caravans, travellers of Tibet, Mongolia, Middle East and Europe. The enchanting beauty of Nubra is best explored in the months of May to October when the valley is adorned with green fields, lush meadows and orchids ripe with plum apricots and sweet apples.

The wildflowers blossom during this season, covering large expanses of mountains and plateaus in a blanket of varied colours and fragrance. These months remain moderate and soothingly breezy as compared to the colder months of the year. In case you are game, you could also help out with the farming activities and family chores of your hosts. However, in case, you are occupied during the above mentioned months, April is also a good time to explore Nubra.

Due to its lower altitude than other regions of Ladakh, the place remains pleasant during the month. However, some of your days might turn out hot with harsh sun and nights freezing cold.

It is always advisable carrying warmers to cope up with the fluctuating temperatures. Nubra valley remains accessible even in the winter. Due to its strategic importance, the army keep Khardung La open round the year. If you like to explore Nubra in winter, do keep two to three days of a buffer. In case of heavy snowfall, it takes some days for the pass to reopen. However, let us assure you, winter in Nubra is a surreal sight of snow-covered mountains and deserts that you would cherish for life.

Nubra valley is at an average altitude of 3,m , therefore it is lower than Leh. However, to reach Nubra, you need to drive across the Khardung La pass at 5,m. Even though you will spend only a short time at this very high altitude, you still need to be well acclimatized before starting this trip. It is recommended to have 2 days of acclimatization in Leh and around before starting the Nubra valley tour.

Some of you might feel breathlessness, dizzy and heavy-headed while crossing the pass because of the lower oxygen concentration in the thin atmosphere. These are the first symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness. Make sure you grab an oxygen cylinder on your excursions.

Whenever the symptoms show up, take a couple of oxygen shots just to be on the safer side. Dehydration is another issue. Due to dry air, many visitors get dehydrated real quick and quite often. Therefore, it is advisable to continuously drink lukewarm water, at least for the initial days of your trip. Carrying your own bottle of warm water could save you from many usual troubles like upset stomach, dry throat and dehydration.

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