Ladakh: Nubra Valley Trek
Ladakh: Nubra Valley Trek
Ladakh: Nubra Valley Trek
15 Days Starting and ending in Delhi
Visiting: Delhi, Leh, Khardung La, Diskit Monastery, pullu, ሀመር።, jhigmoche, Lasermo Ladakh - Leh, Jhingar Kalan
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TGD
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Concealed by the Ladakh and Karakorum mountains, the Nubra Valley in northern India remains unseen and untouched by mass tourism. Here, rare double-humped Bactrian camels share a near-unspoiled terrain with traditional shepherd camps and elusive snow leopards. To reach it, we must take a spectacular flight over the Himalaya to Leh, the largest city in the Ladakh region, before crossing the Khardung La, one of the highest drivable passes in the world and a one-time route for Silk Road traders. It’s then into the wilderness, exploring the virtually uninhabited Nubra Valley on foot while gazing at unnamed peaks and camping wild as we go.
Our 11 August 2024 & 20 July 2025 departures are led by Valerie Parkinson, winner of Best Tour Leader in the prestigious annual Wanderlust World Guide Awards in 2021.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Delhi
Location: Delhi
Welcome to Delhi, a captivating city full of life and cultural intrigue. To make the start of your adventure easy, free arrival transfers are available for all travellers provided you have supplied your flight details in advance and have requested a transfer.
Depending on your arrival time, you may then have time to explore this electric city. A short taxi drive from our hotel is Karol Bagh Market, where colourful stalls are packed with clothing and jewellery, and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a magnificent Sikh temple topped with an onion-shaped gold dome. Alternatively, there is a pretty rock garden within a 10-minute walk from the hotel if you need a stretch of the legs after your flight.
Accommodation: Hotel Deventure (or similar)
Day 2 : Sensational Flight Over The Himalaya To Leh
Location: Leh
Meals Included: Breakfast
We wake early this morning for a spectacular flight over the Himalaya mountains to Leh, the largest city in the Ladakh region. Reserve a moment or two on your journey to peer out the window and over some of the tallest mountains in the world.
After touching down and arriving at our hotel, we settle into our rooms 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 Rafica (or similar)
Day 3 : Leh Tour; Visiting Thikse And Shey Monasteries And Leh Palace
Location: Leh
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 Rafica (or similar)
Day 4 : Drive Over The Khardung La And Onto Hundar
Location: Khardung La
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We leave Leh today and set off by 4x4 over the Khardung La, once part of the Silk Road and now one of the highest motorable roads in the world at 17,635ft (5,375m). 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)
Day 5 : Acclimatisation Walk To Diskit Monastery And Meet Rare Bactrian Camels
Location: Diskit Monastery
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, 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 the dunes to meet rare Bactrian camels. These magnificent two-humped dromedaries were once vital to the traders passing through this region, but when trade decreased around the 1950s, the animals were left in the Nubra Valley. Thankfully, a government programme has ensured these camels continue to survive and we get a chance to meet some of those still living in the area.
Accommodation: Standard hotel (sleeping altitude: 9,910ft/3,020m)
Day 6 : Drive To Hundar Gompa; Trek Through A Spectacular Gorge To Wachan
Location: Diskit Monastery
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 4x4 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)
Day 7 : Leaving Villages Behind; Continue Ascending The Valley To Our Wild Camp At Snia Sumdo
Location: pullu
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)
Day 8 : Surrounded By Unnamed Peaks, The Trail Climbs The Snia Valley; Camp At Pullu
Location: ሀመር።
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)
Day 9 : Through The Valleys And Onto Jhingmoche
Location: jhigmoche
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)
Day 10 : Trek To The Base Of The Lasermo La
Location: Lasermo Ladakh - Leh
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)
Day 11 : Discover The Area Around Camp; Explore Isolated Side Valleys
Location: Jhingar Kalan
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 which climbs to a third small glacial lake if you’d like to explore further.
Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 16,400ft/5,000m)
Day 12 : Trek The Lasermo La And Onto Phyang Sumdo
Location: Lasermo Ladakh - Leh
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)
Day 13 : Descend To Phyang; Option To Visit The Monastery; Drive To Leh
Location: Leh
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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 Rafica (or similar)
Day 14 : Fly To Delhi
Location: Delhi
Meals Included: Breakfast
We fly from Leh to Delhi. The rest of the day is free for individual sightseeing in Delhi.
Accommodation: Hotel Deventure (or similar)
Day 15 : End Delhi
Location: Delhi
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.
What's Included
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All accommodation
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All breakfasts, nine lunches, nine dinners
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All listed transport and activities
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Tour leader throughout
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Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone (in Delhi)
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
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Personal trekking/climbing equipment
Accommodation
In Delhi, we use a standard hotel with air-conditioned rooms. In Leh, we stay in a standard hotel, close to the local market and town centre. There is wifi available in Leh; however, there is no mobile coverage for international phones in Ladakh.
The trek itself is on a full-service camping basis, meaning our camp staff will put up and dismantle the tents for you, cook, and do all the camp chores. You need only carry your day pack. Most of the camping on this trek is wild camping. We stay in two-person tents, which have enough room inside for kitbags. We also have a dining tent with a table and folding chairs, and at least one toilet tent (usually two) for use during the evenings. No running water is available while camping. You camp close to a river or stream and the camp staff will provide bowls of warm water (to wash with) while trekking.
Single rooms and tents can be requested for a supplement (subject to availability). Please enquire at the time of booking.
Food
All breakfasts, nine lunches and nine dinners are included.
Indian food is highly regarded and there is ample chance to try various Ladakhi favourites, which is influenced by Silk Road traders from Tibet and China. Don’t miss the delicious and popular snacks – momos (dumplings) or yak cheese. Also try: thukpa, a clear vegetable soup with noodles and often mutton, chicken or yak meat; tingmo (pronounced tee-mo), steamed bread eaten with dal; and a favourite found in most restaurants, chutagi, a thick soup of local vegetables and bow tie-shaped pieces of dough cooked in the broth (also served with meat).
Allow at least 1,600-2,000 rupees (approximately US$20-US$25) per day for lunch and dinner (where not included). You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants most of the time, you will spend more than the suggested amount. Please note, service in restaurants can be quite slow. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large) bottle of beer is approximately 300 rupees (approximately US$4).
While camping, the staff will bring a hot drink (usually tea) to your tent each morning. When you reach camp in the afternoon, tea and biscuits are served. At breakfast, dinner and in the afternoons, there is a choice of hot drinks. Breakfasts typically include cereal, toast and jam, eggs and porridge. Lunch on trek is usually served as a picnic en route (except on shorter days when it is in camp). Lunch and dinner typically include soup to start, followed by a variety of hot dishes (both local and Western) such as potatoes/chips, vegetables, curry, pasta, rice, dal and paneer (cottage cheese). At dinner, a dessert such as tinned fruit and custard, fritters or cake is also served.
Please note, although some meals include meat, it is not as readily available while camping.
Drinking water
Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 3-4 litres per person per day.
We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Ladakh. In Leh, there is a shop called Dzomsa that sells safe drinking water. Your leader will show you where this is on your first day in Leh. The Leh hotel provides safe filtered drinking water.
During the trek, the cooks will collect and boil drinking water from the mountain streams and fill up your water bottles for you, but you may need to collect water during the day and may wish to use your own water purification treatment as well.
We suggest you bring a reusable bottle with a wide opening (Nalgene or similar) with you and use a SteriPEN to treat any non-boiled water. A SteriPEN is a handheld UV water purifier – small, lightweight and battery powered so easy to pack for a trek. It’s quick to use, far more effective than purification tablets, and the water is ready immediately. It’s fine to use a SteriPEN on non-boiled water so long as it isn’t cloudy or full of sediment (which is uncommon in these regions). SteriPENs are widely stocked on Amazon, outdoor shops and other online retailers; look for the latest models but avoid USB charging ones. Using a SteriPEN means you won’t leave behind a single plastic bottle – and you can keep it for future trips.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.