The Journey so far…

Day 7 | Hunder – Deskit – North Pullu (Nubra Valley)

6 AM and my eyes woke up to see a lovely sunshine outside the big window of our room, I decided to get out of bed and get ready for some morning walk in the lovely Hunder Village. It was pretty cold out and I did need a woollen cap as I did not want any headache accompany me later in the day when we have to explore the Snow Ocean at Khardung La pass 😀 … The feeling walking alone in the village was something can never be felt in this civilized modern world we live today, it was magical as you feel so close to nature, so small, so grounded, so pure… After having such nature therapy for about half an hour, I took out the camera to capture some pictures but dark clouds were on the way to Nubra Valley in the background. It was time when Camel Safari guys bring their camels from their homes to the sand dunes to start the safari and I got a chance to see so many of them. I got a very nice local person who tried to explain a bit of history about Nubra Valley and how the king their built the fort at the top of a cliff in Hunder Village, thanks to him.

A Lovely Trail at Hunder…
A Lovely Trail at Hunder Village
Clouds Hovering Around at Hunder…
Clouds Hovering Around at Hunder Village
The Double Humped Camels at Hunder…
The Double Humped Camels at Hunder

When I was back to room both Himanshu and Tejas were ready as well and so was our breakfast. I decided to further take some pictures of lovely Apricot flowers blooming in the garden of Snow Leopard Guest House. Some pictures came out decent at least for a rookie like me with hand held camera and I was pretty happy with them. The breakfast served was bread, butter, jam and omelette which was way way better than last night’s dinner and was priced at Rs 100 per person, still doing justice to the quality. We had breakfast and decided to move for the day towards Leh via Snow Covered Khardung La. But, before we do that part we had to have the camel safari at Hunder sand dunes and we also wanted to check out the lovely Deskit Monasteries along with 106 feet tall Lord Buddha statue.

Blooming Beautifully… The Apricot Flowers…
Blooming Beautifully... The Apricot Flowers at Hunder Village...
Blooming Beautifully… The Apricot Flowers…
Blooming Beautifully... The Apricot Flowers at Hunder Village...
Blooming Beautifully… The Apricot Flowers…
Blooming Beautifully... The Apricot Flowers at Hunder Village...
Snow Leopard Guest House at Hunder…
Snow Leopard Guest House at Hunder Village in Nubra Valley
Himanshu and Tejas Amidst Apricot Trees…
Himanshu and Tejas Amidst Apricot Trees at Hunder Village in Nubra Valley

I loved to capture that bridge as I shot in 2010 being one of my favourite pictures ever but as usually pictures cannot be replicated as first light was not favourable and same as it was in 2010 plus there was a cemented room built there, not sure for what purpose ruining that charm of it. Soon there was a herd of tourist behind us to take a similar shot but with their families over the bridge, some even stopped their cabs taking them back to shoot that angle 😀 … Not sure what they liked about it but I knew that it was a fussy place now, so decided to go in towards sand dunes. We reached Hunder sand dunes and booked camels for both Himanshu and Tejas as I opted out being not interested after a long body breaking camel safari in Rajasthan 😉 … But, I decided to walk along with them capturing some pictures of them and rest of the scenic beauty of Hunder. 15 minutes, 150 bucks was the price for the safari and for me it was fun walking in the sand dunes along with rest of the caravan but camels out performed my pace plus stamina on the way back 😉

A Crystal Clear Water Stream…
A Crystal Clear Water Stream at Hunder
The Wooden Bridge – 2012 Version…
The Wooden Bridge at Hunder Sand Dunes- 2012 Version
Nearing Hunder Sand Dunes…
Nearing Hunder Sand Dunes
Ahh!! Double Humped Camel Safari…
Ahh!! Double Humped Camel Safari
A Double Humped Camel and Dear Freinds Friends…
A Double Humped Camel and Dear Freinds Friends
Trying to Know Each Other??? 🙂
Dheraj sharma with Double Humped Camel in Hunder Village - Nubra Valley, Ladakh
Solitude… The High Alitiude Camel Safari…
Solitude... The High Alitiude Camel Safari at Hunder Village
The High Alitiude Camel Safari…
The High Alitiude Camel Safari
Getting Ready to Move…
Camel Safari at Hunder Village
Sand Dunes at Hunder Village…
Sand Dunes at Hunder Village
Sand Dunes at Hunder Village…
Sand Dunes at Hunder Village
Sand Dunes at Hunder Village…
Sand Dunes at Hunder Village
Sand Dunes at Hunder Village…
Sand Dunes at Hunder Village

It was time to move towards Deskit Monastery now. This time we took the other route that was complete now to reach to the top of monastery, right up to Lord Buddha statue. Last time, parking was not up there and road was still under construction. We tried to capture some really lovely landscapes seen to our eyes and the aerial view of Deskit Village and after spending about an 20 minutes or so at the top decided to walk out skipping the old monastery as Tejas had enough of monasteries. Now started the heart pounding part of the day – The Ascent to Snow Filled Khardung La Pass…

106 Feet Tall Lord Buddha at Deskit – Nubra Valley…
106 Feet Tall Lord Buddha at Deskit - Nubra Valley
106 Feet Tall Lord Buddha at Deskit – Nubra Valley
106 Feet Tall Lord Buddha at Deskit - Nubra Valley
106 Feet Tall Lord Buddha at Deskit – Nubra Valley…
106 Feet Tall Lord Buddha at Deskit - Nubra Valley
Painted Art of Lord Buddha Statue at Deskit Village…
Painted Art of Lord Buddha Statue at Deskit Village
Beautiful Deskit Village in Nubra Valley
Beautiful Deskit Village in Nubra Valley
Beautiful Deskit Village in Nubra Valley…
Beautiful Deskit Village in Nubra Valley
Himanshu at Deskit Monastery…
Himanshu at Deskit Monastery
Himanshu at Deskit Monastery…
Himanshu at Deskit Monastery
A Picturesque View of Deskit Village in Nubra Valley…
A Picturesque View of Deskit Village in Nubra Valley
A Different Color…
Deskit Village in Nubra Valley
Old Deskit Monastery…
Old Deskit Monastery
A Beautiful Parking at Deskit Village…
A Beautiful Parking at Deskit Village

The Journey ahead…

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I am Dheeraj Sharma - a traveler, techie, and Himalayan lover. Since 2009, I have been helping thousands of travelers every year plan memorable & budget-friendly trips to the Himalayas - Smartly, Safely, and responsibly.

14 Comments

  1. Comments section gets closed in 90 days. To ask your travel questions, you can follow my YouTube Channel for a faster reply or for a much slower reply follow me on Instagram. :)

  2. Hi Dheeraj, your information in this website will be very useful for me who wanna visit Ladakh this June. I love seeing the pictures, beautiful scenery everywhere. What camera did you use to take those pictures? Thanks.

  3. Rakesh Sachdeva on

    Apricot flowers pictures are gorgeous, really awesome. Will Apricot be blooming in the middle of June when we plan to visit Nubra ? Or August is the blooming season?

    • Hi Rajesh,

      Though I am not sure about it but I think late summers that is July is the time when they are blooming and also it depends upon the altitude you are at. More the altitude, late is the time they blossom, AFAIK. I think you might see some in June or late June types in Nubra Valley too.

      Regards
      Dheeraj

  4. Only one car in this vast open space! While I was reading , and looking at the pictures, I try to understand how the wind will be , how any small sound will be heard, and how the colors are blending there, and how I might have felt being there! Would I be afraid to be so far from the crowds, or would I be elated?

    Great journey. Thanks for sharing .

    • Thanks alot Pattu again and being constantly following the story. I am sure you would be loving it to every bit!! All things you were imagining is something to be experienced everywhere in this heavenly place but in a bit off season :D… And I am sure you would definitely feel more than elated.

      Regards
      Dheeraj

  5. Awesome picts sir 😮 really gr8!
    I m big big big fan of ur now 🙂
    Transparent water and blue sky looks fabulous! waiting for more to come, want to c more:-)

    • Thank you bhai!! Yes, that transparent water one was favs for me as well and Hunder is the place I love most in Nubra Valley. Would be treating your eyes with a white adventure on Monday morning 😉

      Regards
      Dheeraj