Caution
Nubra Valley in May
Ladakh, India
May is when Nubra Valley properly opens for tourism. Khardung La is reliably passable. Temperatures: 5-20°C. The Hunder sand dunes buzz with camel safari operators. Turtuk is accessible and lively. Diskit Monastery receives daily visitors. All guesthouses and camps operate. Permits are straightforward from Leh.
The May story
May Nubra is the complete package: the impossible sand dunes, the double-humped Bactrian camels (the last wild herd in India), the 32m Diskit Maitreya, and the road to Turtuk—one of India's most dramatic drives along the Shyok River gorge. The Hunder dunes at sunset, with camels silhouetted against sand and snow peaks, is the iconic Ladakh image. Stay overnight at a camp or guesthouse in Hunder—the dunes at sunrise, before tour groups arrive from Leh, are yours alone. Turtuk, 80 km beyond Hunder, is an all-day excursion: Balti culture, apricot orchards, polo ground, and the village elder who remembers when this was Pakistan. May is the month when everything works and crowds haven't peaked. The Khardung La crossing in clear May weather, with panoramic views from the top, is a defining travel moment.
Why May scores 2/5
Weather
Khardung La may open late May. 5-18°C. Sand dunes accessible. Bactrian camels at Hunder. Limited services.
Roads & Access
self drive: 4WD recommended. Fuel up in Leh.. road condition: Rough beyond Khardung La. Better to Hunder.. public transport: Shared taxis from Leh.. from nearest city: Leh 120km via Khardung La. 4-5hrs.. last km difficulty: hard
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 2/5. rescue: Army posts along route. helpline: Ladakh Tourism: 01982-252297. ambulance: Limited. Army can help.. police station: Diskit. nearest hospital: PHC Diskit (basic). Leh 120km for real hospital.
Network
VI: No, JIO: No, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: No. BSNL patchy. Zero signal at Turtuk. Download everything in Leh.
Kids
Not ideal for kids — Sand dunes and camels are exciting, Diskit monastery is photogenic
Elevation
3,048m — Moderate altitude
Who should go
- ✓Travelers with basic fitness
- ✓First-time Nubra visitors wanting everything accessible
- ✓Turtuk culture seekers wanting the full Balti village experience
- ✓Bactrian camel safari enthusiasts
Who should think twice
- ✗Those with mobility issues
- ✗Crowd-averse travelers on weekends—Hunder gets busy
- ✗Budget travelers—peak season pricing starts
- ✗Those prone to altitude sickness—Khardung La at 5359m is extreme
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 | Frozen at -20 to -30°C. Khardung La extremely dangerous. Hunder dunes under snow. Only for extreme adventurers. |
| February | 1/5 | Deep winter continues. Khardung La buried in snow. No civilian vehicle access. Valley completely isolated. |
| March | 1/5 | Still closed. Khardung La snowbound. No road access. Valley thawing slowly but inaccessible to tourists. |
| April | 1/5 | Road still closed. BRO clearing snow on Khardung La. Expect opening late May at earliest. Patience needed. |
| Mayviewing | 2/5 | Khardung La may open late May. 5-18°C. Sand dunes accessible. Bactrian camels at Hunder. Limited services. |
| June | 5/5 | Peak season 10-25°C. Hunder sand dunes, Turtuk village, Diskit monastery all accessible. Book camps ahead. |
| July | 5/5 | Perfect 15-28°C. Warmest month. Bactrian camel rides. Turtuk apricots ripe. Diskit Buddha golden at sunset. |
| August | 4/5 | Good 14-26°C. Occasional light rain possible. Slightly fewer crowds than July. All camps and roads open. |
| September | 5/5 | Best month 8-22°C. Crystal-clear air. Fewer crowds. Autumn light on sand dunes is magical. Book early. |
| October | 2/5 | Getting cold 2-12°C. Camps closing. Khardung La snow approaching. Last window before winter shuts valley. |
| November | 1/5 | Closed. Khardung La snowbound or extremely dangerous. Camps shut. No services available in valley. |
| December | 1/5 | Deep winter closure. -15 to -25°C. Valley completely inaccessible. All services shut until May. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Leh 120km via Khardung La. 4-5hrs.. Roads: Rough beyond Khardung La. Better to Hunder.. Self-drive: 4WD recommended. Fuel up in Leh.. Public transport: Shared taxis from Leh.. Last stretch: hard
Elevation
3,048m
Difficulty
moderate
Budget tier
mixed
Permits required
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