Two humped Bactrian Camel ride is the greatest tourist attraction of Hunder Desert at Nubra Valley in Ladakh, Kashmir, India

Two humped Bactrian Camel ride is the greatest tourist attraction of Hunder Desert at Nubra Valley in Ladakh, Kashmir, India

India is large and beautiful country. The land surface of India varies from place to place. It has high mountains, vast plains, dry deserts and thick forests. It also has many rivers and a long coastline with beautiful beaches. But, probably the most wonderful, awesome and unique landscape in India is situated at the Hunder Desert in Nubra Valley, Ladakh in the northern most state of Jammu and Kashmir. Why we have used so many adjectives before this place? Why Hunder is so unique? What is so special about Hunder? The answer requires multiple lines of text.

• First, Hunder Desert is the highest desert of India at an altitude of 10,000 feet.
• Second, the white sand dunes of Hunder Desert are surrounded by the peaks of Ladakh Range and Karakoram Range.
• Third, a beautiful river called Shyok with its ice cooled stream flows by this cold desert.
• Fourth, you will be mesmerized by scene of two humped Bactrian Camels gazing in this cold desert.
• Fifth, you will be thrilled to know that ancient Silk Route from Central Asian cities like Yarkand, Kashgarh and Baltistan to Kshmir, India passed through this desert. And you are standing there.

In our previous article titled “Pangong Lake or Pangong Tso – Most popular tourist destination of Ladakh, Kashmir, India” we discussed a picturesque tourist destination of Ladakh, Kashmir, India. If you have not read it “Click Here” to read.

Where exactly is the picturesque Hunder Desert located?

Hunder desert is located at Nubra Valley, Ladakh, Kashmir, India. From Leh, the district capital of Ladakh you have to drive 150 Kilometer north along Leh-Siachen Road to reach Hunder Desert.

How to reach the fairy land of Hunder Desert?

You can reach Leh by road from Srinagar (Leh-Srinagar distance 430 kilometer) or from Manali (Leh -Manali distance is 477 kilometer). You can also reach Leh by air. Leh airport is 9 kilometer away from Leh Town. In your way to Hunder Desert from Leh you have to cross the world’s highest motor able mountain pass Khardung La at a distance of 50 kilometer from Leh and at an altitude of 18380 feet. Khardung La or Khardung Pass is a dangerous road specially in a bad weather day. After crossing khardungla your road climbs down and you reach Khalsar at a distance of 58 kilometer from Khardung La Top. Khaalsar is the confluence of Nubra River (originating from the Siachen Glacier) and Shyok River. These two rivers has created the green valley called the Nubra Valley. “Nubra” means “Valley of Flowers”. Nubra is the “Oasis of Ladakh” – an oasis in the cold desert of Ladakh. Nubra Valley has been separated by the Ladakh Range and Karakoram Range. The road bifurcates from Khalsar. One road goes to the north towards Siachen and the other road goes towards Hunder Desert. Before reacing Hunder Desert you will reach a village named Diskit at distance of 19 kilometer from Khalsar. Diskit has a good marketplace with banking service. The main tourist attraction of Diskit is the 600 years old Diskit Monastry. Here you will also get a great view of the world’s second highest peak K2 located in the Karakoram Range. If you travel further along the road another 7 kilometer from Diskit and cross a bamboo bridge on Shyok River, you will reach at the fairy-land of Hunder Cold Desert.

Picture 3 – Himalayan Wild Ass At Hunder Desert In Nubra Valley

Two humped Bactrian Camel ride is the greatest tourist attraction of Hunder Desert, Nubra Valley, Ladakh, Kashmir, India

The greatest attraction of the Hunder Desert is unique double humped Bactrian Camels. These double humped camels are usually seen in Central Asian deserts like Taklamakan Desert and Gobi Desert. At, Hunder sand-dunes these Bactrian camels rides is the greatest tourist attraction. The rates of two humped Bactrian camel ride at Hunder Desert at Nubra Valley in Ladakh, Kashmir, India is around rupees 200 only  (Rupees two hundred) per person for a ride of 15 minutes only (as of July 2015).

Picture 4 – Two Humped Bactrian Camel At Hunder Desert In Nubra Valley, Ladakh, India

Where to stay at Hunder Desert, Nubra Valley, Ladakh, Kashmir, India

If you like to spend a night at Hunder Desert you can stay at Swiss tents. Rent of the tents varies according to their standards. Rent of each ordinary tent per night is Rs 2500/= (Rupees two thousand five only) as of May 2013.

Picture 7 – Tourist Wearing Local Costumes At Hunder Desert In Nubra Valley, Ladakh, India

Tips for tourists at Hunder Desert, Nubra Valley, Ladakh, Kashmir, India

• Best time to travel is from June to September because these months are spring and summer in Ladakh.
• Drink Mineral water during your tour at Ladakh otherwise you may suffer from Hill Diarrhea.
• Entire Ladakh region is very windy. Rainfall or snowfall is common. In winter temperature may often goes down to minus 20 to 25 degree Celsius. So, carry wind cheater or wind proof jacket as well as warm.
• You must have enough battery backup for your mobile, tablet, digital camera and video camera.
• Previously, for all tourists whether foreign or Indian required an Inner Line Permit for going to Nubra Valley from Leh. This Inner Line Permit for tourist was issued from the office of the District Magistrate at Leh. But, now-a-days, Inner Line Permit is no more required for Indian tourists but they have to show their Voter Identity Card only for visiting the these places. Permit is not required anymore for Indian tourists (w.e.f May 1, 2014), though foreign tourists still require the permit.
• Entire Ladakh is situated at high altitude. So you may suffer from High-Altitude-Sickness (headache, nausea, vomiting, etc.).