Nubra Valley Trek

We often have to leave the hotel around 2am for a spectacular flight over the Himalaya to Leh, the largest city in the Ladakh region. In the morning, we settle into our rooms, rest and freshen up. This afternoon, we take a gentle orientation walk around the city and bazaars. The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatise to the altitude (11,480ft/3,500m).

Accommodation: Hotel Chubi (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we continue our sightseeing in and around Leh, visiting Thikse and Shey monasteries, two of the major gompas (Buddhist temples) in the area, and Leh Palace.

We first drive to Shey, once a palace of the Ladakh kings. Inside is a small temple containing a 350-year-old copper-and-gold statue of the Buddha. From Shey, we drive (or, if we’re feeling energised, walk across the fields) to Tikse, where we visit the monastery. This hilltop complex with red-and-white buildings can be seen for miles and within is a recently built temple with a magnificent image of the Future Buddha.

We return to Leh and the rest of the afternoon is free to explore and try more local dishes, such as thukpa (a noodle soup), momos (steamed dumplings) or skyu (a traditional soup dish).

Accommodation: Hotel Chubi (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

We leave Leh today and set off by 4×4 over the Khardung Pass, which at 17,635ft (5,375m) is one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The journey to the top of the pass takes us on a winding road high above Leh. From the top, we get great views back to the Leh Valley and the Ladakh mountains and ahead we can see the Karakorum mountain range. The road winds down and down through the North Pollu checkpost and to Khardung village, then on to Khalsar village (10,710ft/3,264m) and the Shyok River. Passing the dunes and monastery at Diskit we arrive at the village of Hundar (approximately six hours’ drive).

Accommodation: Standard hotel (sleeping altitude: 9,910ft/3,020m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We spend the day acclimatising to the altitude with a day hike to Diskit Monastery (10,308ft/3,142m). The area between Hundar and Diskit is filled with dunes, an unusual sight between magnificent mountains.

The walk is fairly flat as we head across the valley bottom to Diskit, now the district headquarters. Our walk ends at Diskit Monastery, overlooked by a 105ft (32m) high Buddha statue, it is the oldest and largest in the Nubra Valley, dating from 1420, and belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

We return to Hundar by taxis and after lunch you can visit rare double-humped Bactrian camels. These magnificent animals were once used by traders to carry goods across the high passes. When trade across these borders decreased, the animals became endangered. However, a government breeding programme has now ensured these camels will thankfully not become extinct.

Accommodation: Standard hotel (sleeping altitude: 9,910ft/3,020m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We head into the valleys this morning, driving for about 1.8mi (3km) to Hundar Gompa, where we start our trek. Leaving the main valley, we turn up into a narrow side valley. The walking today is fairly easy as we follow a wide 4×4 track into the gorge. Rocks tower above us as we gain height gradually. Look for grazing Bactrian camels among the multi-coloured rocks of this spectacular gorge.

After approximately 5mi (8km), we come to a small droksa (shepherd camp) with a few trees providing welcome shade from the sun. The valley now widens a little and we camp where the valley splits on the edge of a small village called Wachan.

Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 12,795ft/3,900m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is shorter as we begin to gain height. We start by taking the left-hand valley and climb steadily to Sernang, a small collection of houses and fields. This is the last village we see until Phyang.

The trail ascends the valley further and we may have to cross the river several times depending on the water level (we carry a rope for river crossings and we highly recommend you bring river-crossing sandals). The Snia Valley is the first large valley to the right. We cross to the right side of the valley and camp near the valley junction. In the afternoon, there is time to explore the hills and take in the spectacular scenery.

Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 13,780ft/4,200m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We turn into the Snia Valley and follow the river. The trail climbs steadily and again, depending on water levels, we may have to cross the river. We are surrounded by unnamed peaks and passes and only shepherds inhabit this valley in the summer. Before there were roads in Ladakh, people used the passes regularly. Now, apart from the summer shepherds, the valley is inhabited by wildlife only. Keep your eyes peeled for marmots, foxes, wolves, and for the very lucky, the elusive snow leopards that hunt here.

We pass several shepherd encampments and set up camp at the valley junction close to the river.

Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 15,090ft/4,600m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A descending start leads us to the intersection of Sniu Sumdo and Thanglasgo valleys. From here, we ascend gradually crossing the pastures and following streams. A picturesque walk for around four to five hours has us arrive at Jhingmoche (14,795ft/4,510m), a popular location among shepherds who bring their sheep, yak and dzos for grazing. There are some makeshift huts housing a couple of families who come here in summer from Hundar.

Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 14,960ft/4,560m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We walk to the base of our next pass, Lasermo La, today. As we leave the campsite, we follow the river upstream walking amid a valley of pretty meadows with grazing yaks and dzos. We reach the campsite in the afternoon, which is the highest overnight altitude on the trip.

Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 16,400ft/5,000m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend the day exploring the area around camp with various optional walks available. We can take a packed lunch and ascend the valley across from our camp up to a series of lakes. It is about 2.5mi-3mi (4km-5km) to the first small lake. Energetic walkers can continue further up the valley to a second lake, which is a total of 3.7mi-4.3mi (6km-7km). We are now surrounded by peaks yet to be summited. We can either descend back to camp or there is a rocky trail that climbs to a third small glacial lake if you’d like to explore further.

Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 16,400ft/5,000m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We have a challenging day as we cross the Lasermo La pass. We need to carry our Yaktrax/Microspikes in case of any snow/ice on the top; your leader will advise in advance about these.

We aim for the highest pass on the trek. Leaving the Nubra Valley with an early start, we begin our climb and after two to three hours we reach the top of the pass at 17,715ft (5,400m). The view takes in the spectacular Karakoram mountains in one direction and the Ladakh ranges on the other. From here, we descend gradually to Morubuk, another area of green pastures before finally onto our campsite at Phyang Sumdo, for our last night on trek.

Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 13,125ft/4,000m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We descend the valley all morning. It’s about three to four hours’ walk to Phyang, a large village close to Leh. If we have time, we can visit the large and prosperous monastery that towers above the valley.

It is a one-hour drive back to Leh, arriving mid-afternoon to the comforts of a hot shower in our hotel. The rest of the day is free for relaxing and reflecting on the last week or last-minute sightseeing or shopping in the bazaars.

Accommodation: Hotel Chubi (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We fly from Leh to Delhi. The rest of the day is free for individual sightseeing in Delhi.

Accommodation: Hotel Deventure (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your journey in India completes after check-out from the hotel. Free departure transfers are available for any flight, provided you have supplied your flight details in advance. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative about joining our five-day post-trip extension taking in the Golden Triangle: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. This extension can also be done before the tour.

Meals Included: Breakfast