Khardung La Pass is the highest motorable pass in the world and a beautiful gift of nature, located at 5,602 meters above sea level in the UT of Ladakh. Commonly known as ‘Gateway to Shyok and Nubra valleys, this pass is an inspiration for motorbikes, automobiles, and mountain biking expeditions.
The pass was once a part of the ancient Silk Route and has huge historical importance. It is a top tourist destination that is blessed with mesmerizing natural beauty, thrilling adventures, and a calm environment.
Khardung La Pass was constructed in 1976 and was made open to the public in 1988. The road is maintained by the Border Roads Organization and is of great significance for the transfer of goods to nearby border areas. A visit to the pass is a must activity on your Ladakh trip. The picturesque beauty and clean air of the places attract tourists from every corner of the world.
The pass holds strategic value also as it is used to transport military supplies to the Siachen glacier. The road conditions vary from season to season. In winter the temperature goes down to minus 30 degrees and the road gets closed due to heavy snowfall and landslides. That is why, most tourists prefer to visit here during the summer season from May to August.
Things to know About Khardung La Pass
This mountain pass was built in 1976 and was made open to the public in 1988. During the Second World War, the first attempt to give a war well to China was made through this road. The high-altitude pass is maintained by the Border Road Organization. In winter, the temperature of the place drops to about minus 40 and it gets nearly impossible to reach here due to snowfall and landslides. In summer, the weather remains convenient for traveling and the best time to visit is from May to August.
History of Khardung La Pass Ladakh
The Khardung La Pass which means “Power of Lower Castle” in Tibetan is the highest motorable pass in the world. Located 40 km from Leh, this pass is the gateway to the Nubra and Shyok valleys. The pass was built in 1976 and then opened to the public in 1988. The maintenance of the pass is under the Border Roads Organization.
Khardung La Pass is one of the major trade routes between Leh and Central Asia which has been used since ages as a caravan trail. This road is an important tourist spot and a main route to carry goods and troops to the Siachen glacier.
Weather in Khardung La Pass
The weather in Khardung La Pass is quite unpredictable. The summer is relatively warm during the day and cool at night. During the summer season from May to August, the temperature remains about 20 degrees which is suitable for traveling and enjoying the serene beauty of the pass.
During winters, the temperature goes down to minus 40 degrees and the road gets closed due to landslides and heavy snow.
Road conditions to Khardung La Pass Ladakh
The distance between Khardung La Pass and Leh is approximately 40 kilometers, with a 25 km South Pullu checkpoint which is a stretch of bad patches and a major portion being filled with mud, snow-melted slush, granules, and a lot more difficulties. This checkpoint road gets further worsened until the very top.
The next 16 km of the road called North Pullu is uneven and consists of dirt, some puddles with snow melted water, and loose rocks.
Things to carry before traveling
Below is a list of things that are necessary to carry for traveling to Khardung La Pass
Ø Take waterproof backpacks.
Ø Carry water bottles to stay hydrated.
Ø Raincoats for occasional snowfall.
Ø Keep some pain relievers with you.
Ø Some other medicines for altitude sickness.
Ø Carry a medical kit in your backpack.
Ø Gumboots, sturdy shoes/ hiking shoes, and waterproof shoes are highly recommended.
Ø Fully charged batteries and chargers.
Ø Large containers of extra fuel.
Ø Sunscreen lotions and sunglasses.
Ø Eat light foods at regular intervals.
Ø Carry chewing gums, energy bars, and chocolate with you.
Ø Pack some portable oxygen cylinders or alternatives for oxygen like camphor.
Ø Woolen clothes, extra socks, and a jacket.
Ø Finally a good quality camera for capturing amazing pictures.
Inner Line Permits Of Khurdung La
An inner line permit grants permission to travel to a protected area for a specific time. It is a necessary document for all tourists visiting Khardung La Pass. The office of the permit department remains open from Monday to Saturday and the timings are from 9 AM to 5 PM. During summer, the office remains open on Sundays also. For international travelers, a valid passport with a visa is required for the issuance of the permit. Indian tourists need valid photo identity proof such as an Aadhar card, driving license, passport, election, or PAN card to obtain the permit.
Inner line permit is valid for three weeks for Indians and for one year for international tourists. The entry fee for an inner line permit is INR 20 per day and the total cost will be INR 500.
Other Essential Information
Mobile Connectivity: Carry a postpaid SIM as only these work in Khardung La Pass. BSNL and MTNL work best in the region with the widest coverage range. Airtel postpaid also works in the region with a little less coverage range than BSNL and MTNL.
Medical facilities: There is no dispensary or health center at Khardung La Pass. Tourists in need of medical attention will have to reach the nearby town of Pass. In case of emergency, Visitors can also go to SNM hospital located in Leh.
However, it is recommended to carry a medical kit and important medicines such as Disprin Dexamethasone, Aspirin, or Diamox for altitude sickness.
Banks and ATMs: There are no banks and ATMs in the region. But, tourists can rely on ATMs which are in Leh. Visitors coming from Manali will encounter the last ATM on the Manali Leh Highway and after that the next ATM will be in Leh. Recently, an SBI ATM has been installed on the way to Nubra Valley which is referred to as the ‘World’s highest ATM’.
Petrol pumps: There is no petrol pump in Khardung La Pass but Leh has a functional petrol pump. There is also a hand-operated petrol pump in the Diskit region which is the only one in Nubra valley.
How to reach Khardung La Pass
Khardung La Pass is situated 40 km from Leh by road. It does not have an airport and you need to book a flight to Leh and then hire a taxi to reach the pass.
By flight: If you want to travel by flight, then book a flight to Leh’s Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport, and after that book a cab or taxi to reach Khardung La Pass.
By road from Leh: road is the most adventurous way to reach this pass. Tourists can rent a bike, or car from Leh to reach here and buses are also available. You can start your journey from Leh and travel through Nubra valley passing by Khardung La Pass. By car, it takes about 1 hour and 23 minutes, and by bike 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach Khardung La.
The best time to visit Khardung La Pass
Being a high-altitude and cold region, Khardung La is covered with snow for most of the year. However, March to May and September to October are the best months to visit this place.
Summer: the temperature in the summer season remains about 20 degrees in the day and during the night, it drops to 6 degrees or zero degrees. Days are sunny with warm sunshine and nights are cold.
Spring: due to continuous rainfall, Khardung La Pass remains closed in the spring season from June to August.
Winter: From December to February, the region receives heavy snowfall making it impossible to reach the pass. The temperature goes down to about minus 30 degrees Celsius.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any facilities available at Khardung La Pass?
There are small tea stalls and souvenir shops but no big hotels and restaurants at Khardung La.
What is the height of Khardung La Pass?
The pass is located at an altitude of 5359 meters (17582 feet) above sea level.
What are the opening hours of Khardung La Pass?
The Khardung La pass opens at 9 in the morning till 5 in the evening on all days of the week.
Is Khardung La Pass open in winter?
Due to heavy snowfall, it becomes inaccessible in winter and thus Khardung La Pass remains closed in the winter season.
Do I need a permit to visit Khardung La Pass?
Yes, foreign tourists need a Protected Area Permit (PAP), and Indians need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit Khardung La Pass.