In principle, three routes lead from Leh to the Nubra Valley. Via the Khardung La Pass, The Wari La Route and the Agham Shyok Road.
The route over the Khardung La Pass is undoubtedly considered the most comfortable and spectacular for tourists. It has long been considered the highest passable road in the world*, and the view from up here is simply breathtaking.
From Leh (3500 m), the mostly paved road winds for 39 kilometers to the Kardung Pass, which connects the Indus Valley with the Nubra Valley, through which the Shyok River flows.
Because of India’s border conflict with Pakistan and China and the strategic importance of the Siachen Glacier in the Karakorum, the road is cleared and kept open almost year-round, especially for military vehicles.
Halfway along the road, you will pass an Indian army checkpoint where the traveler will be asked for his entry documents. You can obtain the permit or travel authorization for about 100 rupees from various travel agencies in Leh.
The road continues up to the top of the pass, where you can get the first spectacular view of the Karakorum.
The first section of the north ramp of the pass is cut into a snow and ice flank in winter.
After a short drive, you reach the North Pullu, another army checkpoint. After several kilometers, at about 4300 m above sea level, the green of the barley fields around the Village of Khardong, to which the pass owes its name, begins to glow.
Further down the valley, after about half an hour’s drive, you reach the village of Khalsar on the wild Shyok River with another military checkpoint.
From there, the road leads along the Shyok River to the Koyak Bridge, where the road forks. Upwards towards Panamik into the Nubra Valley and the Siachen Glacier and on the other hand towards Diskit – the main town and administrative center of the Nubra valley.