Leh to Nubra Valley Loop

Leaving Leh town, we climb north through the winding hairpin roads of the Karakoram range. We submit permits at South Pullu checkpost and tackle the steep, rocky road up to the Khardung La summit (5,359m / 17,582 ft) for a fast photo session. We then descend through North Pullu and ride into the wide, sandy Nubra Valley. In the evening, we visit the Hunder Sand Dunes to ride the unique double-humped Bactrian camels.

We ride along the roaring Shyok River further north towards the Line of Control. Turtuk was under Pakistani control until the 1971 war. The village has a distinct Balti culture, apricot orchards, and stone houses. We explore the village on foot, talk to local elders, visit the old Balti heritage museum, and ride to the Tyakshi border outpost before returning to Hunder for the night.

Before leaving Nubra, we ride to Diskit Monastery, which is built on a rocky hill and features a colossal 32-meter-tall statue of the Maitreya Buddha facing down the valley. We then make our way back over the Khardung La pass. The descent into Leh requires extreme caution as the brakes can overheat. We return to Leh town in the afternoon for souvenir shopping.