Nubra the valley of flowers

situated between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges in northern India, Nubra Valley is a surreal high-altitude cold desert where icy rivers carve verdant oases amid barren landscapes. Known as the “Valley of Flowers of Ladakh,” it blooms in summer with wildflowers and fruit trees such as almonds, apricots, and walnuts 
The valley branches along the Nubra and Shyok rivers, weaving through villages such as Diskit, Hunder, Sumur, and Panamik—each rich in history, Tibetan Buddhist culture, and unique traditions

Nubra Valley was once a thriving artery of the ancient Silk Route, serving as a key transit corridor for caravans traveling between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Traders from Yarkand, Kashgar, and Tibet would descend into Nubra, bringing silk, wool, carpets, spices, and semi-precious stones. From here, they would journey over the Khardung La Pass (5,359 m) to reach Leh, which acted as a bustling trade hub.

In Leh, they met with traders from Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and the plains of India, who brought textiles, grains, herbs, and metals. These interactions turned Leh into a cosmopolitan center, not only of commerce but also of cultural exchange.

Caravans rested in villages like Diskit, Hunder, and Panamik, where they bartered goods and shared stories of distant lands. The double-humped Bactrian camels—a rare species native to Central Asia—were introduced to the region during these trade journeys and are still seen in Hunder today, offering rides to visitors across the sand dunes, echoing their historical role.

The Nubra–Leh route via Khardung La was both arduous and vital. Despite the high altitude and extreme weather, it remained in use until the mid-20th century, before modern roads and borders limited the movement of trade caravans.