thrillophilia-logo
INR
login
Shyok Valley Overview

Sprawling along the Shyok river, the Shyok Valley is home to some of Ladakh’s most beautiful villages and sights and you must consider tp include this valley as a part of your Leh ladakh packages. The picturesque villages of Diskit, Hundur and Turtuk lie along the valley, offering plenty of adventure and tourism spots to travelers. The picturesque Valley is rife with adventure opportunities; while hiking along the river bank can be extremely thrilling, several mountain bikers choose to bike through the Shyok river valley as well.

Shyok Valley is located at an elevation of 10,500 feet on the banks of Shyok river. The Shyok Valley starts at the very point where the Nubra and the Changchenmo river flows down from the Khamdung Glacier and meets the Shyok River.Set against the backdrop of the arid Himalayan peaks, the Shyok Valley is home to some of the most breathtaking views in Ladakh. The little villages that nestle along the valley are run entirely on solar power, making it one of the most eco-friendly spots in Ladakh.

The river freezes in the winter, providing easy passage between the Khaplu and Nubra valleys, but in the summer, when the snow melts in the higher levels, the river exceeds its banks and creates a large swamp. The villages lined against the Shyok river valley are renowned for their extraordinary beauty and cultural vibrancy. Certain villages stand out in this regard, such as Diskit for its famous monastery, or Hunder for its white sand dunes.

Highlights

• Admire the stunning beauty of the riverine valley, with its blue-gray waters clashing against the arid mountains in the background
• Pay a visit to the Diskit Monastery while making your way through the villages nestled along the valley
• Enjoy a ride on a Bactrian camel in the Hundur region of the Shyok Valley
• Spend a while in the fruit orchards that populate the lower valley, perhaps spending a morning on a picnic by the water

How To Reach

The only way to reach Shyok Valley would be by road. One would need to travel from Leh towards Nubra, cross the Khardung La and then follow along the Shyok River. The river flows in the South to East direction, and is hard to miss.

Click Here to Book: A Thrilling Cycling Tour to Ladakh from Manali

Best Time To Visit

The ideal time to visit Shyok Valley would be during the summer months, between May and September. The weather here during this time remains cold and pleasant, and best suited to the average traveler. However, if you’re comfortable with extreme cold weather, the Shyok Valley can be a great winter visit owing to its snow-clad beauty.

Click Here to BookLadakh Honeymoon Trip Package from Delhi

Other Essential Information

Inner Line Permit:

A special Inner Line Permit is required to visit Shyok Valley. An Inner Line Permit is a special government permit issued by government authorities that allows tourists to visit the protected areas within India. An ILP, as it is commonly called, is issued for up to 3 weeks for every tourist. One can apply for an ILP online. One can also visit the DC Office in Leh to get their permits done offline. One would need to furnish valid identity proof and pay a fee to have their permits stamped.

Tips to keep in mind while traveling through the Shyok Valley

  • For reasons pertaining to safety as well as weather, make sure you're driving or walking time is restricted to the daytime hours only 
  • If you’re riding a bike, make sure to carry enough petrol with you and refuel the fuel tank on a regular basis 
  • Carry enough water and munchable snacks, as regular stores may be hard to come across while traversing the valley 
  • It would be advisable to wear several layers of clothing instead of one warm layer, as the weather difference from midday to evening can be quite drastic

Get a Detailed Travel Guide for Delhi to Ladakh Tour.

Read More
Day Wise Timings
Open Today
mo
Normal Timings:
Open 24 Hours
tu
Normal Timings:
Open 24 Hours
we
Normal Timings:
Open 24 Hours
th
Normal Timings:
Open 24 Hours
fr
Normal Timings:
Open 24 Hours
sa
Normal Timings:
Open 24 Hours
su
Normal Timings:
Open 24 Hours
Point of Interest for Shyok Valley
Monastery sightseeing Tour
1

Monastery sightseeing Tour

Traveling along the villages in the Shyok Valley, you must definitely go on a sightseeing tour of the beautiful monasteries. The Diskit Monastery is perhaps the most significant of them all, closely followed by the Thiksey Monastery and the Hundur Monastery.

Click Here to Book: Ladakh Trip From Kolkata

Camp along the Shyok River
2

Camp along the Shyok River

Several of the villages along the Shyok Valley, such as Hundur or Turtuk, feature riverside camps. Those willing to spend a night by the river in the picturesque Shyok valley can stop at any of the several campsites available here. You can even set up your own tents as well!.

Camel Safari in Hundur
3

Camel Safari in Hundur

The Hundur dunes are attractive not only visually, but for its range of offbeat activities as well. The Bactrian camel safari, for example, is unique to the Hundur region.While going through the valley, one can stop for this unique experience at Hunder, exploring the ice-clad deserts on the double humped camels.

Also Read: The Guide for Srinagar to Leh Road Trip

Tourism Board Alliances

Shyok Valley FAQs

Is one day enough to explore the Shyok Valley?

The Shyok Valley in its entirety is fairly long, and would require about 2-3 days to traverse if done at a moderate pace. A recommendable way to visit is to stop at different villages each night, while visiting a cluster of few in the daytime.

Is a permit required to visit Shyok Valley?

A special Inner Line Permit is required to visit Shyok Valley.

Can I ride a bike through the Shyok Valley?

Yes. There are several clear–cut biking trails along the river and through the villages. In fact, biking is one of the most popular and one of the most adventurous ways to tour Shyok Valley.

Can I get a chance to see Shyok Valley while my Tour to Ladakh?

Here are some of the Ladakh Tour Packages with Shyok Valley in the itinerary-

1) Leh Ladakh Tour Package In November

2) Leh Ladakh Sightseeing Tour Package

3) 8 Days Leh Ladakh Tour Package

Popular Related Destinations

Why Choose Thrillophilia