Khardung La, World's Highest Motorable Pass
Driving To The Top Of The World In India's Ladakh
Apr 14, 2009 Satu Susanna Rommi
Khardung La in India’s Ladakh is known as the world’s highest motorable mountain pass. Individuals with their own GPS equipment have, apparently, measured less than the official 18 380 ft that is proudly stated on top of Khardung La, but this does not matter to most bikers who dream about driving their motorbike to the top of the world. Khardung La, 26 miles outside Ladakh’s capital Leh, is to many bikers the ultimate goal after the tough and challenging trip from Manali to Leh.
Inner Line Permit For Khardung La
Khardung La, or K-Top as it is affectionately known, is situated on an ancient trade route from Leh to Kashgar in Central Asia, and it is also the gateway to the beautiful Nubra Valley.
Foreigners need an Inner Line Permit to visit the Nubra Valley as well as to drive to K-Top. Permits can be obtained at travel agents in Leh, but a group of minimum of four travellers is required for each permit. Travel agencies can put groups together. Several copies of the permit are needed, especially if continuing to the Nubra Valley, since a copy has to be left at every checkpoint.
Driving To Khardung La
The road from Leh to Khardung La is not nearly as bad as some parts of the road between Manali and Leh. More than half of the road even has tarmac, and the going gets tougher only as one approaches the top. Permits and passport details are checked at the South Pullu checkpoint (and for those continuing to the Nubra Valley, again on the other side of the pass at North Pullu checkpoint).
Vehicles travelling to and from Khardung La are allowed only in one direction at a time: from 9am - 1pm in the Leh – Khardug La direction, and from 1 pm - 5 pm from the Nubra Valley via Khardung La towards Leh. It is best to check timings locally, though.
On Top Of Khardung La
There is a tea stall at K-Top that serves some high altitude tea and snacks - mainly Maggi noodles. Other than that the main thing to do here is to take a photo next to the “World’s Highest Motorable Road” sign.
Weather conditions can be unpredictable, and snowstorms can happen even in the height of the summer. There can be a lot of heavy traffic on the road, especially Indian Army trucks. Acute Mountain Sickness is a serious risk, and visitors are not recommended to spend too long at the top. But needless to say, the views from the top are stunning.
On Top Of Khardung La
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