Panamik is a village at the head of the Nubra valley, about 150 kilometres from Leh, known for its hot springs and as the furthest north visitors may travel here. The springs come out hot enough to be uncomfortable, and there are bathing tanks fed from them. Beyond the village the road runs towards the Siachen region and is closed to visitors.
Duke Kashmir Travels has run Nubra itineraries with permits arranged in advance since 2011, under Department of Tourism registration JKTA00003978. Ladakh packages start near ₹6,350 per person, two to a room.
By Duke Kashmir Travels Team · Reviewed by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, Founder · Published · Updated
Key takeaways
- About 150 km from Leh market, at the north end of the Nubra valley.
- Sulphur hot springs feed bathing tanks in the village.
- Ensa monastery sits across the river and is reached on foot.
- The furthest point north in this valley open to visitors.
- Bactrian camels graze the valley here as at Hunder.
- Inner Line permits are compulsory and are checked on the road.
What are the hot springs like?
Sulphurous water rising hot from the ground, channelled into simple bathing tanks. Local people ascribe medicinal value to it.
Facilities are basic and the water can be very hot, so test before entering. The setting — bare mountain, cold air, steaming water — is the memorable part.
What else is there?
Ensa monastery on the far side of the river, a walk of an hour or so, and the wide gravel bed of the Nubra with mountains on both sides.
The crossing depends on the river level and the season; ask locally before setting out. The village itself is small, and this far up the valley the traffic thins to almost nothing.
How do you get there?
North from Diskit and Sumur along the valley, about 150 km from Leh in total, with permits checked at posts on the way.
It is normally the second day of a Nubra trip, after Diskit and the dunes, and pairs with Samstanling and Yarab Tso.
Booking this with us
The agency behind this guide, Duke Kashmir Travels, was registered with the J&K Department of Tourism in March 2011 (JKTA00003978) and joined IATO in 2016. More on the paperwork is on our About Us page.
Tell us when you are travelling and how many of you there are, and a costed itinerary follows. Reach us on +91 9018 44 0000, at info@dukekashmirtravels.com, or through the contact page.
About the founder
The agency was started in Srinagar in 2011 by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, who owns it to this day, helped found the JK Tourism Council, and reads every destination guide before it goes up. His LinkedIn profile is here.