Nubra

We started at 9 for Nubra and reached Khardungla by 11. At a height of 18000ft, Khardungla is a major tourist destination. For the first time we were among the snow capped hills. It was time for a hot cup of tea and a lot of photographs. We took photos in all permutations and combinations before starting downhill for the Nubra Valley.

Khardungla Pass

Our next stop was for lunch just as we hit the valley floor. River was flowing adjacent to us. We first ate lunch and then drove to an empty stretch of river bank for some more photographs. We were carrying few cans of beer with us which we promptly opened and drank with our legs in the cold water. With the loss of altitude it was more pleasant here than it was at Leh.

From here on, the road was mostly flat but meandering. We were going for a place caller Hunder which was famous of sand dunes. Just before Hunder we saw a huge Buddha statue and made a stopover. Known as Diskit Gompa it was part of Diskit Monastery and quite a good place to hangout for a while.

It was getting dark in the April evening by the time we reached Hunder. We decided to go for the sand dunes first and then check in into our hotel. The sand dunes were a sight, spread over more than a mile next to the river on one side and high rise mountain on the other. The place was attracting all sorts of games from camel riding to ATVs. We tried bows & arrows.

Our hotel was cosy and spacious. Before dinner bonfire was arranged which was a luxury in plummeting temperature. We chatted and ate around the warm fire, played cards later on and then retired to sleep. Next morning we were to start for Pangong.