Hunder Sand Dunes

The Hunder Sand Dunes are a stretch of cold-desert sand dunes in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh, between the villages of Diskit and Hunder, at about 3,000 metres. The Hunder Sand Dunes are one of the most unexpected sights in Ladakh: rolling pale dunes beside the Shyok river, framed by snow-capped mountains.

Hunder is known for its double-humped Bactrian camels, descendants of the animals that carried goods along the caravan routes linking Ladakh with Yarkand and Central Asia. When the trade ended in the mid 20th century, the camels were left in Nubra, and villagers now keep them for short rides across the dunes, which is the classic Nubra experience. The dunes are at their best in the late afternoon, when the light turns golden and the camels are out. Around the dunes, sea buckthorn scrub and streams make a green edge, and Hunder village has guesthouses and camps under poplar and apricot trees.

What to see

• Bactrian camel rides across the dunes
• The late afternoon light on the sand and peaks
• The Shyok river and its braided channels
• Hunder village with its orchards and old chortens
• The Diskit Maitreya statue, visible from the road

What to wear

The Hunder Sand Dunes are warm in the day and cold at night, so wear layers and bring a fleece for evening. Sunglasses, a hat and a scarf against dust and wind help, and closed shoes are better than sandals on hot sand. There is no dress code for the dunes. Ladakhi villagers may wear the goncha, the long woollen robe tied with a sash.

Local food to try

Camps and guesthouses in Hunder serve home-style meals: thukpa noodle soup, skyu (a hearty stew of thumb-pressed wheat pasta and vegetables), momos, khambir flatbread with apricot jam, and salty butter tea. In July and August, look for fresh apricots, and sea buckthorn juice from the berries that grow around the dunes. Vegetarian food is the norm.

Good to know

• Best from June to September, in the late afternoon
• Open at all times; camel rides mostly in the afternoon
• Camel rides paid locally at set rates
• Allow 1 to 2 hours
• About 7 km from Diskit and 125 km from Leh
• Foreign visitors need a Protected Area Permit for Nubra

Nearby places

The Hunder Sand Dunes lie in the Nubra Valley, a short drive from Diskit Monastery. The road from Leh crosses Khardung La.