Hunderman Village: Kargil's Ghost Village & Memory Museum
Hunderman village is a small, remote village, located near the Line of Control (LoC).
It is divided into two regions. The Old Hunderman or Hunderman Brok is barren and deserted due to wars. The Upper Hunderman is the new village, where around 250 locals live.
Famous as the “Ghost Village”, tourism wasn’t permitted a few years back. However, in recent times, tourists are seen exploring the village. There’s even a museum called “Museum of Memories” found in the village, established in the year 2015 by few officials and a villager. At the museum, daily household items left by past villagers are found and showcased to the visitors.
Hunderman lies on the banks of Suru river. The area has abundant greenery and raw beauty.
It lies at a distance of around 10 kilometres from Kargil . As you start your drive from the town to the village, a contrasting landscape awaits you. The bustling city is sharply different from the stillness of Hunderman. Since most trips to Hunderman begin from Kargil, you might find this guide on how to reach Kargil helpful for planning your journey.
Cultural Significance
When India gained independence and partition took place in 1947, Hunderman came under the territory of Pakistan. It remained so till 1965. In the atrocities of the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965, it fell into the no-man’s hand.
After the historical Indo-Pakistan War in 1971, India acquired the Hunderman village under her authority.
Due to being located in the extreme proximity to the borders, the village has faced cross-fires between two nations. The wars tore apart several families. It separated families, couples and forced locals to leave their home behind.
Wars affected the Old Hunderman located in the lower valley, established around 4 centuries ago. When Wars happened and villagers were caught in the middle, they moved to the higher valley. The Upper Hunderman has formed with around 250 residents.
When you move a bit uphill, you arrive at the newly established village. Here, talk to the locals. Their stories will surely make you shed a tear or two. Talk to the elderies and you will know how they lost beloved parts of their life in a split second.
Best time to visit Hunderman Village
The best time to visit Hunderman, one of Ladakh’s top offbeat places, is during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is pleasant and the scenic road trip from Kargil is an unforgettable experience. Temperature generally ranges between 18°C to 25°C.
As you start the drive from Kargil, the clear and accessible roads await you. In the lovely climate, enjoy a short yet scenic road trip.
One day is more than enough to cover the village, museum and nearby attractions thoroughly. Throughout the day, it remains warm and comfortable. In months like July and August, occasional rainfall does occur. However, it doesn’t rain heavily.
You can simply wear a shirt or tshirt with a trouser or jeans along with walking shoes for the sightseeing trip at the village.
Avoid winter visits as the Srinagar-Leh Highway is closed due to heavy snowfall.
Attractions in Hunderman
Museum of Memories
The Museum of Memories, present in Hunderman village, Kargil, showcases the daily lives of locals before the border shift.
With a combined effort from Roots Collective, an NGO and a local villager named, Illyas Ansari, the Unlock Museum of Memories was born in 2015.
The two story ancestral home of Mr. Ansari was transformed into a museum. It displays various timeless items such as shoes, kitchen utensils, perfume bottles, coins, old Pakistani currency, etc.
A rather emotional artefact seen at the museum are the letters exchanged between members of different families.
The museum remains closed on Fridays. Plan any other day of the week for an uninterrupted sightseeing.
Old Hunderman
The Old Hunderman or Hunderman Brok was the original village where locals used to live before the wars.
It is the same village that suffered the cruelties of the India-Pakistan War in years like 1947, 1965 and 1971.
In 1974, locals left everything behind at the village and moved to the Upper Hunderman and settled there.
Currently, as you visit here, all you can see are the deserted horses, barren lands, empty lanes and nothing more.
The Unlock Museum of Memories is present at the Hunderman Brok. It is a must-visit place in the village.
New Hunderman
The region in the upper valley where the locals settled gradually and created a new life from scratch is called New Hunderman or Upper Hunderman.
As you move a bit uphill from the Brok, you will see the newly built houses and roads.
The new village has about 250 residents as of now. They have gotten employment as porters for the Indian Army.
You can see villagers busy with daily household chores, children playing on the roads and a rather normal life as it seems.
Talk to the residents here and get to know about the wars and how it affected their lives.
Nearly Attractions
Kargil
The most popular attraction near Hunderman village is Kargil town. It is about 10 kilometres away.
The town holds great importance as a cultural hub of Ladakh. It is militarily significant too with lots of past battles fought here. And to honour them, one such place is here called Kargil War Memorial or Vijaypath. The names of soldiers who died fighting for the country are engraved in the pink sandstone with which it is built. It will take you an hour or two to explore it entirely.
When in Kargil, do explore its markets. They are bustling with local and tourist crowds. Here, you can buy Ladakhi clothes, artefacts, utensils, jewellery as souvenirs and gifts.
Suru Valley
Suru Valley is around 100 kilometres apart from Hunderman. It is a two hour drive from the village.
Long stretches of meadows are seen in the valley. Even though it is located at an altitude of about 3000 metres, the valley is the greenest one of the Greater Himalayas. The natural beauty and lushness found here is very rare and tourists often visit here for nature walks and picnics.
For day outings, you can visit some famous picnic spots here such as Parkachik, Damsna and Thulus.
At Sankoo in Suru Valley, a wide array of wildflowers are seen blooming and bursting.
The best time to visit Suru is from May to September.
Mulbekh Monastery
Another sightseeing spot to explore around the village is Mulbekh Monastery.
It lies at a distance of 48 kilometres from Hunderman. It is located in the Kargil district of Ladakh.
The monastery consists of two gompas, namely, Serdung Gompa of Drukpa Sect and Gildan-se Gompa of Gelugpa Sect.
The Monastery houses a 30 feet or 9 meters long statue of Maitreya Buddha. It is carved out of a rock and remains one of the oldest ones.
The Monastery is a way to look into the history of Buddhism and its messages.
Drass War Memorial
Total distance between Drass War Memorial and the village is around 56 kilometres.
Drass war Memorial, popularly known as Kargil War Memorial, pays respect to the martyrs of 1999 Kargil War.
Explore the memorial and acquire knowledge about the brave heroes and celebrate their velour.
Tourists are welcomed by a touching elegy by Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan, dedicated to the victory of Operation Vijay at the entrance.
The memorial is built entirely with red sandstone with names of soldiers who lost their lives written with pride.
Kargil Diwas is celebrated at the Drass War Memorial every year on 26th July.
Essential tips for visitors
- Plan the road trip to Hunderman from Kargil in the summer season. Pleasant weather and clear routes are conducive for village exploration.
- As you visit the village, don’t set high expectations of premium facilities. It is in the remote regions of the country and you wouldn’t find any homestays here.
- Network connections are very limited here due to being close to the borders. Carry a satellite phone for emergencies.
- There are not any cafes or restaurants here. Carry your own food, snacks and a water bottle for a smooth experience.
- The village is located at high altitudes. Spend some time in Kargil town and acclimatise to avoid acute mountain sickness.
- Do talk to the villagers here. However, remain sensitive to their feelings and don’t ask unnecessary questions.
- Remain updated regarding the condition and accessibility of Srinagar-Leh Highway.
Essential Information
How to Reach
Hunderman village is located at a distance of 10 kilometers from Kargil. A short and easy ride of about half an hour is enough to reach there. You can easily find a taxi in the town.
Reaching here via air is evidently the easiest and most comfortable way.
While Kargil Airport is the nearest one to Hunderman , it is currently non-operational.
Leh Airport is located at a distance of about 225 kilometers from the Hunderman. You can book a taxi or cab to reach there in approximately 7-8 hours.
Instead of a direct journey to the village, reach Kargil town first. The distance to be covered is around 215 kilometers. Next day, plan a day tour to the Hunderman from Kargil. You can also use your own private vehicle/car for the road trip.
Buses aren’t available from Kargil to the village. They only run from Leh to Kargil.
FAQ's
How many villages are in Kargil district?
There are about 130 villages in Kargil district. Among them, some are popular tourist spots such as Hunderman, Panikhar, Drass, Sankoo, etc.
Where to stay at Kargil?
Kargil is a developed town of Ladakh. There are some hotels, guesthouses and homestays available in the city. Make your bookings in advance for a comfortable stay.
How far is Hunderman from Kargil?
Hunderman is 10 kilometers far from Kargil. Taxis, cabs and private cars are the most suitable option to reach there.
What is the best time to visit Kargil?
The best time to visit Kargil is from June to September. The roads and local attractions are open in summer. It is the perfect time for road trips to villages like Hunderman.
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