Nubra is a cold desert at 10000 ft above sea level and the color of the sand is unlike anywhere in India. These dunes lie close to the Hunder village which sits like an oasis in the middle of the cold desert. The weather is not friendly here and it gets pretty cold once the Sun hides behind the clouds. The strong breeze keeps blowing the fine sands, reshaping them into new shapes.
The valley lies between the two well-known Himalayan mountain ranges of the Karakoram (on the North), and the Ladakh (on the South). To reach Nubra one has to drive across the Khardungla pass.
Just before we entered the Nubra Valley, there was a sort of adventure ride. There are three blocks Turtuk, Diskit, and Panamik.
The cold desert of Nubra Valley
On the way we passed Diskit Monastery
Diskit Monastery
The entrance to Diskit Monastery
Gate to Diskit Monastery
The Maitreyi Buddha near Diskit Monastery
The star attraction Diskit Monastery is a recently built 106 foot high Maitreya Buddha statue which was commissioned in 2010.
A new day at Hunder Sarai Resort in
Tents at Hunder Sarai Resort in Nubra
We were staying at the Hunder Sarai at the Hunder village. The camps are surrounded by the barren cold snow mountains near to the sand dunes and the camel ride area. In between the gardens, outside slows a stream of crystal clear water. They serve good food.
Despite its arid and challenging conditions, Nubra’s cold desert boasts a unique ecosystem adapted to the harsh environment. Nomadic communities, such as the Changpas, have traditionally herded livestock in this challenging landscape, showcasing the resilience of life in the cold desert.
White Sands of Nubra Valley
The Nubra region is the northernmost of Ladakh and in fact of all of India. It is fed by two main rivers: the Shyok and the Siachen. Both originate from the Siachen glacier but on either side of the western Karakoram Range.
Dunes of Nubra
The climate of the regions is extremely harsh with scanty rainfall along with less moisture contained in the air. The minimum temperature in winter drops to -30 °C, and the maximum temperature is around 25 °C in the summer. In Nubra valley, the source and supply of water from glaciers is the only option for irrigation purposes, and portable water which is owing through the two main rivers such as Nubraand Shayok, originates from the Siachen glacier and Remo glacier, respectively.
Being a desert, it is rare to see patches of grass around these parts
As the day passes, the winds pick up and create a kind of sandstorm. The sand dunes of Nubra are situated at the confluence of the Nubra and Shyok Rivers, creating a surreal desert landscape surrounded by majestic mountains. The dunes, predominantly composed of fine-grained sand, are sculpted by the relentless forces of wind, carrying sand particles from the riverbeds and depositing them in the valley. This continuous process shapes the dunes into undulating patterns, creating an ever-changing canvas of nature’s artistry.
Ranita on the sand dunes of Nubra
Even though the sand was harsh, we did get some wonderful photos.
Ranita on the sand dunes of Nubra
Time passed quickly and soon the Sun was setting behind the mountains. The Nubra region is well known for its role as a gateway between the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia in modern times.
It was a trade route between Yarkand (present-day Xinjiang, China) and Leh, the capital of Ladakh, till the closing of borders in 1949.
Horses grazing over a meadow near Tangtse on the way to Pangong Lake
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Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on the time I visited the premises. Note that there might be changes in the prices of merchandise and admission fees that might have occurred after this article was published. At times the facility might also be closed for repairs or for variety of other reasons. Kindly contact the facility or facilities mentioned in this article directly before visiting.
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Credits: The historical information presented herein is gathered mostly from local guides that were re-inforced via historical writings.