Nubra Valley, over the high Khardung La pass from Leh, is a wide, green oasis of villages, sand dunes and the famous double humped camels, near the border.
Because it is a border area, you need a Ladakh inner line permit. An Indian traveller books the permit online on the Leh permit portal. A foreign visitor goes through a registered Ladakh agent, who gets a Protected Area Permit. You cross a very high pass to get there, so take altitude care.
Who needs a permit
You need a permit for every person to enter Nubra, Indian or foreign, because it is a border area beyond Leh. You show it at the check posts on the way. The rule is the same as for the rest of Ladakh's border belts; this page covers Nubra in detail, and the main Ladakh permit page covers the whole system.
The valley, in plain words
You cross Khardung La, a famously high mountain pass, then drop into Nubra, where two rivers meet in a broad valley. You see Diskit, with its great Maitreya Buddha statue above the monastery, the sand dunes at Hunder with the double humped camels, and the hot springs and villages beyond. It feels like a different world from the bare high desert around Leh.
How Indians get the permit, step by step
As an Indian traveller you book the inner line permit online on the official Leh permit portal, or through your hotel or a Leh agent. You pick Nubra and your dates, pay the small fee and the daily wildlife or environment charge, and print the permit. Carry the printed permit and your original identity, because staff check them at the check posts. See the main Ladakh permit page for the full steps.
For foreign visitors
A foreign visitor cannot use the Indian online permit. You go through a registered Ladakh travel agent, who gets a Protected Area Permit for Nubra, and you often travel with at least one more person. Carry your passport. Give the agent time. See the Ladakh permit page for the foreigner rules. [Confirm the current foreigner rule with a registered agent. Last checked 13 September 2026.]
Season, so you plan the right months
Nubra is best in the warm months, from about May to September. Khardung La is then clear and the valley is green. Deep winter closes the pass with snow, though the valley has some winter access in good years. Even in summer it is cold at the pass, so carry warm layers, and cross Khardung La without lingering, because the height is extreme.
Common mistakes to avoid
- The biggest mistake is crossing to Nubra on your first day in Leh, before your body has adjusted to the height. The next is a foreign visitor trying to use the Indian online permit, which does not work. Do not linger at the top of Khardung La, where the air is very thin. Do not travel in deep winter without checking the pass.
Questions people ask
Do I need a permit for Nubra Valley?
Yes, a Ladakh inner line permit. Indians book it online; foreigners go through a registered agent.
How do Indians book it?
Online on the official Leh permit portal, or through a hotel or agent, choosing Nubra and your dates.
Can foreigners visit?
Yes, with a Protected Area Permit arranged by a registered agent, usually in a small group.
When is the best time?
From about May to September, when Khardung La is clear.
What is Nubra famous for?
Diskit monastery and its great Buddha, and the sand dunes and double humped camels at Hunder.