The Journey so far-

Day 6 | 5th, August 2010 | Diskit – Hunder, Nubra Valley

It was new day in Nubra Valley as we slept like horses last night in hotel at Diskit. It was as the night started and we felt fan being lacking, we indeed we wanted fan in Ladakh ;)… Around midnight it became normal and we went into some deep sleep. I had some clue as the wind was too fierce last night. As we woke up, Tsewang came knocking at the door. He confirmed the fact that wind was indeed like tornado last night as it swept away terraces made of tin sheds of many houses in Diskit town :shock:. He added that this misbehavior of mother nature started since Dalai Lama left the Ladakh district and confirmed these happenings seen for the first time by everyone.

Road of Heaven…Entrance to Hunder Village, Nubra Valley…

Road towards Hunder coming from Diskit in Nubra Valley of Leh - Ladakh

Meanwhile, we told the change of plans to Tsewang that we will ease out and click pictures in Nubra Valley today and leave for Leh. Next day we will leave for Pangong Tso (Lake) for a day trip from Leh. Earlier, he was a bit concerned about getting late in crossing Pagal Nullah if we were to go to Pangong Tso from Nubra Valley but our suggestion cleared his doubt and brought a smile on his face :)… Soon he went downstairs to have his breakfast and come more rest. After completing our day to day activities we went for the breakfast too.

Wow, there was a bright sunshine out today. This was the first time on our trip that sky was clear with sun shining bright and of course this meant different colors in pictures for today. It rained or drizzled full or partially in each of the other day so far and ultimately rain following us like shadow has left us alone :D… We ordered Paranthas, French Toast, Cheese Toast and Omelets. The food tasted authentic and we enjoyed every bit of it as it was indeed better than the dinner. It was time to explore rest of the hotel including terrace, garden, rooms etc and click pictures… So here are they are…

Views from terrace of Sten Del Hotel, Diskit, Nubra Valley…

Diskit in Nubra Valley of Leh - Ladakh
Diskit in Nubra Valley of Leh - Ladakh
Diskit in Nubra Valley of Leh - Ladakh

Sten Del Hotel, Diskit, Nubra Valley…Lobby cum Reception…

Sten Del Hotel, Diskit in Nubra Valley of Leh - Ladakh

Sten Del Hotel, Diskit, Nubra Valley…Dinning Hall…

Sten Del Hotel, Diskit in Nubra Valley of Leh - Ladakh

Sten Del Hotel, Diskit, Nubra Valley…Room with single Double Bed…

Sten Del Hotel, Diskit in Nubra Valley of Leh - Ladakh

Sten Del Hotel, Diskit, Nubra Valley…Room with two Double Beds…

Sten Del Hotel, Diskit in Nubra Valley of Leh - Ladakh

Tsewang asked us that we shall leave soon and we started to pack our luggage. This was sure now that every time we come to Diskit town this would be the place we would stay. Well be warned that the guy at the hotel may cheat you for the booking time price settlement as per the tourist rush on the day you reach that place πŸ™„ (this was informed to me by my fellow forum colleague Tanveer, who got cheated on the booking price made to him)…So, be sure on finalizing the prices when you book. It was time to leave to witness desert in the skies β€œHunder, Nubra Valley”.

Sten Del Hotel, Diskit, Nubra Valley…As we leave the hotel…

Sten Del Hotel, Diskit in Nubra Valley of Leh - Ladakh

Road of Heaven…Entrance to Hunder Village, Nubra Valley…

Road towards Hunder coming from Diskit in Nubra Valley of Leh - Ladakh

Hunder was just 7 KM from Diskit and the road was black tarred top, so within no time we were right in the heart of Sand dunes of Ladakh. Hunder is also famous for unique camel rides and well you can say that one can have camel ride even in Delhi so what’s so unique about camel ride in Hunder. Well, you find small height double humped camels in Hunder, Nubra Valley. Yes, camels in Ladakh have two humps and this makes this ride special. Hence, whenever you visit Nubra Valley do visit the Hunder sand dunes and enjoy a ride of one of these unique camels found in Ladakh.

Sand dunes of Hunder…First Views…

Sand dunes of Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

Sand dunes of Hunder…Path that gets you closer to them :)…

Sand dunes of Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

Sand dunes of Hunder…Alone…

Sand dunes of Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh
Sand dunes of Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

Sand dunes of Hunder and People…

Sand dunes of Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

Sand dunes of Hunder and me :)…

Dheeraj Sharma at Sand dunes of Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

Sand dunes of Hunder…Informational Content…

Sand dunes of Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

We didn’t took the ride as we felt it was too hot and secondly we were more busy with the photo shoots ;)… So my advice would be to arrive early in the morning or late in the night to allow yourself enjoy the ride in soothing temperatures. Tsewang dropped us to the point where cars were allowed and went back near a wide stream of water for his self car wash. There is a price to be paid to wash the car there, I believe it was Rs 25. All through the day we didn’t have much special which I shall quote apart from the pictures which can do the talking for me.

Our ride in Sand dunes of Hunder…No cars allowed after this point…

Our ride in Sand dunes of Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

Camel Safari in Hunder, Nubra Valley…Informational Content…

Double Humped Camel Ride in Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

Camel Safari in Hunder, Nubra Valley…

Camel Safari in Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh
Double Humped Camel Ride in Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

Double Humped Camels in Hunder, Nubra Valley…There are many…

Double Humped Camels in Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

Double Humped Camels in Hunder, Nubra Valley…Let’s get closer to them…

Double Humped Camels in Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

Washing the ride in a river stream…

Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

Ladakhi Dog trying to swim in a river stream :)…

Ladakhi Dog in river stream at Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

Magical Colors around an old style Bridge…

Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

Oops it’s yet again me spoiling the beauty ;)…

Dheeraj Sharma in Hunder, Nubra Valley in Leh - Ladakh

After spending 2-3 hours at Hunder we left for Diskit Monastery which I will cover in the next part, so keep glued to my Ladakh Journey… πŸ™‚

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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. :)

    • Vishu, if you are flying directly to Ladakh or taking Srinagar – Leh Highway, you can visit Nubra Valley in October and it will be good time to visit it.

  2. some1 have any taxi oprter no who take me for nubra vely and panog lake ? my agent is saying me for nubra vely 8600 rps one nght in nubra n up n down in same day for panog lake he demanding 7000 ,plz tel me wts rate thr foe panog and nubra

    • For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2012-13 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.

  3. Sonam Guest house – Nubra. over looking the Diskit Maitreya Buddha statue. wonderful location. recently constructed.
    run by lovely middle-aged couple(both are School teachers) .
    Food is home cooked – awesome. vegetables fresh from kitchen garden. they organize a momo party also at night. very affordable.
    bathrooms and rooms very nicely maintained and cleaned.
    authentic Ladakhi cuisine served if asked for.
    the lady is a very good in cooking Parathas and North Indian food also.

    we stayed at 300rs/day rate. food was 150Rs/person/per day. rates fluctuate according to number of tourist in that particular week. subject to change.

    located on main road(highway).
    ample parking space.
    very nice view.
    cosy rooms.
    best for families and single lady travellers.
    rooms have huge windows and a great view.
    kitchen is very big and very traditional.

    the best part we enjoyed was d vegetable momos(never thought vegetable momos will be so tasty. it seems they taste heavenly because of the fresh cabbage and carrots)

    do try this place.

    Phone number – 01980 220109, 09469265784, 09469384010.

    • Hello Sneha,

      Thanks for this lovely update and review. I am sure this will help other fellow travelers too. I will try to move it to Hotels and Accommodation article of Nubra Valley. Guess, I read your post at IndiaMike as well and seems you stayed at Irfan Guest House in Leh too.

      Regards
      Dheeraj Sharma

  4. bhai, kaya jagah hai, hamesha sochta raha jaunga par aaj tak nahi ho paya, is bar soca india jake jaunga, so give me all the details how to go and this is heaven man..

    and i miss you all

    Dev

    • Dev, no worries mate… when you come back we will go again. BTW, New Zealand is no less beauty… and yes the nature defines the beauty greatly… nothing much what I did for clicking these pictures…. :)… you come and I will show you a similar place Spiti Valley this coming summers