Nestled in the lap of nature lies ‘ Ldumra’. Ldumra is the local name for Nubra which means ‘Valley of Flowers’. Truly, the words itself expresses a lot. The valley is a superb art of nature. Its breath taking scenic view can astonish any body reaching out there for the first time. Climate much warmer than Leh, beautiful landscape with two mighty rivers, patches of sand dunes, rich wild life, great glaciers and Karakoram Ranges are all about a flash description about Nubra valley. Until 1947, Leh had a trading relation with central Asia through Karakoram Range of Nubra. Just imagine how prosperous could be the valley during that time! Now let’s come back to Karakoram pass. Karakoram pass alongwith other peaks and glaciers comes under Karakoram range. Karakoram pass used to provide main trading links between markets of Leh, Yarkhand and Kashgar. But unfortunately these areas are closed to tourist now. Since then silk route trade also diminished gradually. Later in 1962, India’s war with China further worsened the situation across the border areas to Ladakh that includes. Rupshu, Tsomoriri, Pangong lake and Nubra Valley. And thus Ladakh as a whole remained closed to foreigners.

Since 1974 when Indian Government reopened Ladakh to the foreigners Leh is doing a great job and progressing a lot. But in some regions including Nubra Valley, only a limited part of it was given authorized to open for the foreigners. Thus these paradise remained locked except some places. This is the reason why its gems (great monasteries) remain hidden to the people across the state and countries. So when you read any book on Nubra it is obvious that you might not get detail information regarding the monasteries over there. But it doesn’t mean that Nubra is not rich with monasteries. In fact each and every village scattered over there has at least one monastery whether big or small. Not only monasteries, Nubra is rich in every way. The climate of Nubra is considered to be the best one in Ladakh. Nubra is also rich in mineral deposit. Just recently, geologists from Kumaon University have found exceptionally high concentration of uranium and Thorium in Udmaru, a small village in Nobra. But this finding could be commercial interest only if large quantities of its deposition are indicated.

Monasteries of Nubra
Disket Monastery :- it is the largest monastery in Nubra and is more than 350 years old. The monastery was founded by Lama Sherap Zangpo of Stod. Disket monastery follows the Gelukpa order of Tibetan Buddhism and is a branch of Thiksey Gompa. There are three prayer rooms, Library and a school for little monks. About 120 monks reside in the monastery under the head Lama Nawang Jampa Stanzin who is 9th reincarnated Lama to hold this position. Just below the monastery there is a beautiful ‘Photang’ or residence of Dalai Lama, beyond which on the top of a hill, a giant statute of Maitreya Buddha is under construction. Disket is the main administrative centre of Nubra. So you can find all facilities over there. There are plenty of Guest Houses and a hospital in the heart of Disket. You can also approach the tourism office just besides the market if you need any information or help.

Ensa Gompa:- It is the oldest monastery of Nubra founded by Stod Changsem Sherap Zangpo during the reign of King Dakspa Bumde. Sherap Zangpo was one of the disciple of famous translator Tsongkhapa, who founded the Gelukpa order of Buddhism. It is believed that Lhasa Gompa of Tibet was first to be Built on this holy place. But unfortunately due to some reason, a great Lama named Dachompa Nima Gungpa refused to build the Gompa there and left his print of right foot at Ensa.

Dachompa Nema Gungpa had power to fly with his own religious cloth (Zang~gos). His foot prints are preserved well and still can be seen in places like Ensa, Morgi, Charasa and Tsati. And as such he went to Tibet and Built Lhasa Gompa there. Thus only his foot prints remains as evidence. So when you are there at Ensa please don’t forget to see the foot prints of Dachompa in one of the three prayers rooms of Ensa. Buddha Purnima is celebrated in Ensa Gompa. And I must say don’t miss this chance if you are in Nubra at that time.
Moving along Siachen River you are approaching towards Charasa after crossing two small villages Morgi and Kuri….

Samstanling Monastery: Built in 1847 AD, Lama Tsultim Nima at the age of 52 came here and founded this monastery. Tegar is close to Sumoor, just about 3 kms far. If you go up the hill and observe the village you will find Tegar in a bow shape. There is a small Gompa ‘Maneykhang’ just besides the main road.

Places of interest
Charasa: the actual name of Charasa is ‘Chak-ra-sa’ means ‘valley of iron’. It is believed that iron is found in the mountains of Charasa. The village is long and narrow with a palace on a hill. There is an amazing thing to see in Charasa palace. It is the sacred bones of 5th Panchen Lama. Charasa is the last permit zone for tourist.

These are the few accessible sites of Northern Nubra but if you take the left road from T-junction you will get only two places to explore in Western Nubra.
Disket: from the junction the road goes straight for a while along the dry sandy river bed and climbs steeply up the hill. It takes almost 15 kms to reach Disket. On the way you could view the splendid meeting of Shayok and Siachen River. Before the village actually starts you could observe Disket monastery farther up the hill.

Panamik: It is about 30 kms away from T-junction. On the way to panamik don’t forget to look at the green pasture with white salt like patches formed on it. These are local sodas known as ‘pul’ which is added in preparing butter tea of Ladakh. In olden days this area was used on commercial scale. Just near this area you can see a small hill in the centre. Here I must insist you to stop your car and go beyond the hills to look for the most amazing landlocked ‘Tirisha Lake’. The Lake is so beautiful and majestic in its own way! It is believed that person having good fortunes might see reflection of ‘Lhasa’ gompa of Tibet in the Lake water. After few kms you are in Panamik which is known for its Hot Spring. The water is meant to cure rheumastism. There is restriction on tourist to go fare north beyond Panamik. But you can cross the bridge of Hargam and can approach one of the most famous Gompa of Nubra ‘Ensa gompa’.

Sumoor:- Locally known as ‘Sum-Yur”. Sumoor is quite a big village set along the Siachen river. It is the model village of Nubra. This place is worth staying as tea stalls, restaurants, guest houses, medical centre all are there. But the biggest attraction about this place is Samstangling Gompa.

Hunder: Just 6 kms away from Disket comes Hunder. Hunder is a beautiful pretty village.
Along the way you can grasp the breath taking view of the incredible Sand Dunes! You can stop here and walk down to the sand Dune and enjoy a camel safari.

Even you might see wild and domestic Bactrian camel (double-humped) roaming through the sand dunes.A metallic bridge with a soldier guarding there is your last point. A small Gompa just come before the stop point. Inside there you may find all statue of Maitreya Buddha flanked by Bodhisattvas on its sides.