Camel Safari: Bactrian camel at Nubra Valley , Ladakh India

Ladakh is famous for adventurous sports like Trekking, River Rafting and mountaineering etc. To ride on double humped Siberian camel in snow desert of Nubra Valley is called Camel Safari which seems royal safari. The most distinctive feature of the Bactrian camel is its two humps. These humps are designed to store fat and water. However, it is true that Bactrian camels can go several days without water. In addition to the water that is normally stored in the body, the Bactrian camel stores about 1.5 gallons in special sacks around its stomach.

Bactrian camels are classified as herbivores. They prefer vegetation which is prickly, dry, salty, and bitter. Their ability to eat a wide range of products attributes to their success in very harsh conditions.

Camel Safari or Caravan with the double hump camels has been a life line for Ladakh since 17th century. Leh the main town of Ladakh was the centre for traders of Central Asia and rest of India. Double hump camels were used for riding and transportation of the goods in the Silk Route.

The only difference though, is that these camels are not the average desert camels, but a double-humped kind, which are shorter and stouter. Their humps are plump and pliable and collapse in winter when food is scarce. They are the double-humped Bactrian camels.

Camel safari is centered in the Nubra valley, with Hunder and Deskit being the most popular centers. Ride through the Nubra valley exploring the rugged terrain and changing landscapes of sand and snow. From Leh, drive to Hunder, and begin a camel safari through the sand dunes and scenic valleys to Diskit. Drive to Tegger village for the start of another enchanting camel ride along the river to Pinchimic. Then begin another leg of the camel safari to Panamic village, tour the village and visit the Hot Springs.

We started the camel safari on our shaggy, double-humped Ladakhi Camels, the safari starts along soft white sandy deserts with rolling sand dunes. Within a few minute we arrived at Diskit and took lunch.

In the afternoon we explored Diskit village and small market busy with activity. We also visited the Gompa, situated on a rocky spur above the village providing a commanding view of the valley. We had overnight stay in camps.

We visited active Samstanling Gompa, witnessing one of their daily Pujas. In the afternoon, we mounted our camels for the short ride along the river to Pinchimic, a spread out and picturesque area of the valley and reached Pinchimic for overnight stay in tents.

In the morning, we started the last round of our camel safari and travelled to Panamic. In the way we visited a beautiful lake set between two small hills. We reached the camps at Panamic in noon and took lunch.

After taking a short rest we explored Panamic Village and talked with its people quietly working their fields. Then we visited the thermal Hot Springs locally reputed to have beneficial medicinal qualities. We overnight stayed in tents.

Early in the morning visited to Ensa Gompa, across the river and clinging riskily to the mountain surrounded by few trees. We returned to tents and drove to Leh. In evening we reached Leh and checked in at the hotel for our overnight stay.

Plan your vacation now, call us on 1800-103-2228 (toll free in India) or visit our website http://www.destination-doorstep.com/leh/

Did you know: April 2009 saw the first successful cloning of racing camels the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory Dubai, U.A.E.