Thursday, May 31, 2012

The Nubra Valley: Valley of Flowers


The Nubra Valley is called valley of flowers in Leh Ladakh. It was on the trading route of southern Asia and central Asia via the famous Karakoram Pass. This valley has been recently opened for the tourists of India and abroad. Nubra Valley is located in the north of Leh at the average height of about 10,000 feet above the sea level. Leh to Nubra Valley is one of the best trekking routes for jeep safari and trekking in Ladakh. The Khardong village, Khalsar and Deskit are the main villages of Nubra valley.

The valley is prime farming land in Leh Ladakh, but at the first glance it looks arid and dry area. Apples, apricots, barley and orange berries trees and plants can be seen in the valley as dotted areas of the Tsetalulu. Ancient gompas, ruined palaces and villages are very close to each other. So trekking in the valley becomes magnificent. Nature of the local people of Nubra Valley is very co-operative, friendly and hospitable.

The Nubra Valley is indeed a precious treasures of Leh Ladakh where people still living in the complete isolation for half of the year from rest of the world. The main attractions of the Nubra valley are Camel safari and sand dunes of the valley. Bactarian Camels (double hump Camel) can be seen around sand dunes. Camel safari is possible only in this valley throughout Leh Ladakh.

Other major attractions are hot water spring and Khardung la Pass (18,380 feet) above sea level. Tourists are advised to spend two to three nights in the valley. A permit is required to visit the valley which tourists have to handover the photocopies of the permit at North Pullu and South Pullu on Khardung la. The permit will allow you to visit the valley for seven days up to Panamik. Tourists have to submit photocopy of the permit while visiting near the bridge of Summer village.

The Jeep safari to Nubra valley leads you through Khardung la (the highest motor able road in the world) and beyond the pass is the wide, flat Nubra Valley, crisscrossed winds of the Shyok and Nubra rivers. The Diskit the administrative headquarter of the valley is about 150 km from Leh. Buses of state government and private companies are running frequently from Leh to Diskit. It is an advice to tourists to enjoy Jeep safari as it provides you the freedom to stop wherever you want to wait. The roads are under control of the Indian army. Sudden change in the climate and short term road blockage by snowfall are common. You should be prepared to face natural hazards while visiting Nubra Valley of Leh Ladakh.

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