Ladakh (“Land of High Passes”) is a region administered by India as a union territory since 2019. And it is constituting a part of the larger region of Kashmir, which has been the subject of dispute between India, Pakistan, and China since 1947, that currently extends from the Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram range to the main Great Himalayas to the south, inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent. It is one of the most sparsely populated regions and its culture and history are closely related to that of Tibet. Ladakh is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and culture.Historically, the region included the Baltistan (Baltiyul) valleys (now mostly in Pakistan), the entire upper Indus Valley, the remote Zanskar, Lahaul and Spiti to the south, much of Ngari including the Rudok region and Guge in the east, Aksai Chin in the northeast (extending to the Kun Lun Mountains), and the Nubra Valley to the north over Khardong La in the Ladakh Range. Contemporary Ladakh borders Tibet to the east, the Lahaul and Spiti regions to the south, the Valey of Kashmir, Jammu and Baltiyulregions to the west, and the southwest corner of Xinjiang across the Karakoram Pass in the far north.

Aksai Chin is one of the disputed border areas between China and India. It is administered by China as part of Hotan County but is also claimed by India as a part of the Ladakh region of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In 1962, China and India fought a brief war over Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh, but in 1993 and 1996 the two countries signed agreements to respect the Line of Actual Control.

In the past Ladakh gained importance from its strategic location at the crossroads of important trade routes, but since the Chinese authorities closed the borders with Tibet and Central Asia in the 1960s, international trade has dwindled except for tourism. Since 1974, the Government of India has successfully encouraged tourism in Ladakh. Himalayan Destination is one of the best Leh Ladakh tour and travel operator. They have accomplished number of tours in Leh ladakh. Most of the customers are happy with the packages and shared their happy experiences with 5 star.

Visitors may explore the mystery of beauty of Leh – Ladakh in  different ways . To fulfill the aspiration of Leh – Ladakh trip , advanced & justified route plans will be helpful for the travelers . Here some of the route plan to explore Leh Ladakh from experience diary.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT LADAKH

Name of the few high passes you may cover in your Ladakh trip

Ladakh is called “The Land of High Passes”. Few are as follows –

  • Zojila Pass, at an altitude of 11575 ft, the first pass you have to cross (considering start from Srinagar). It is one of the famous passes of Srinagar-Leh Highway connecting Ladakh to Kashmir.
    Namki La Pass, at an altitude of 12516 ft, the second pass you have to cross. It came on the second day when we moved from Kargil towards Leh.
    Fotu La Pass, at an altitude of 13478 ft, the third pass you have to cross. As you moved further from Namki La pass towards Lamayuru, we reached the highest point on Srinagar-Leh Highway.
    Khardung La Pass, at an altitude of 18379 ft, claimed World Highest Motorable Road. But now a day it is completely wrong information. But still it is one of the highest motorable pass in the world. It is situated in between Leh and Khardung village.
    Wari La Pass, at an altitude of 17225 ft, is connecting the direct route from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso. The climb to Wari La was so desolated that one can feel completely disconnected to this civilized world while traversing the path.
    Chang La Pass, at an altitude of 17585 ft, located after Wari La towards Sakti Village, commonly a myth being the third highest motorable road. However, climb to Chang La much more than better Khardung La any day as per our openion.
    Rezang La Pass, at an altitude of 14305 ft, has a war memorial was built to commemorate Indian Army for the victory of Sino-Indian War in 1962. Located South-East of Chusul Valley.
    Tsaga La Pass / Chagga La Pass, at an altitude of 15207 ft, is located once we crossed Chusul and went towards Tsaga Village.
    Thit Zarbo La Pass, at an altitude of 17103 ft, is situated in between Hanley to Nyoma via Nidar covering twin lakes of Kyon Tso. First you have to cross Kyon Tso1 (locally called Ryul Tso) and then over Kyon Tso 2 (locally called Chiling Tso), you ascend towards Thit Zarbo La Pass.
    Nurpa La Pass or Thato La Pass, at an altitude of 15797 ft, from there you can see the first view of Yaye Tso Lake (heart shaped lake) and you can cover this from Mahe
    Hora La Pass, at an altitude of 16195 ft, from there you can see the complete view of Yaye Tso Lake (heart shaped lake) and you can cover this from Mahe and after Nurpa La Pass or Thato La Pass.
    Namashang La Pass, at an altitude of 17389 ft, it is located on the way to Tsomoriri from Chumathang and just before of Kiagar Tso.
    Polakongka La Pass, at an altitude of 16293 ft, it is located on the way to Tso Kar from Sumur (56 km before of Tsomoriri, from where route of Tso Kar diversified).
    Taglang La Pass, at an altitude of 17481 ft, is the first and the highest mountain pass on Leh-Manali highway and fifth on the way from Manali to Leh road trip. located 19 fm from Debring towards Leh.
    Lachulung La Pass, at an altitude of 16616 ft, is located on the Manali-Leh Highway, around 27 km away from Pang towards Manali. It is the Second on the way pass from Leh to Manali and forth on the way from Manali to Leh road trip.
    Nakee La Pass, at an altitude of 15547 ft, is located on the Manali-Leh Highway, around 28 km away from Lachung La Pass towards Manali. It is the third on the way pass from Leh to Manali and third on the way from Manali to Leh road trip.
    Baralacha La Pass, at an altitude of 15912 ft, is located on the Manali-Leh Highway, around 16 km away from Keylong Sarai towards Manali. It is the forth on the way pass from Leh to Manali and second on the way from Manali to Leh road trip.
    Rohtang Pass, at an altitude of 13058 ft, it is located 51 km before Manali from Leh. It is the fifth on the way pass from Leh to Manali and first on the way from Manali to Leh road trip.

List of World’s Highest Motorable Roads / Passes

If you are into adventure Travel, especially in the mountains, then you must have heard of terms like Highest Lakes in the world, Highest Motorable Mountain Passes in the world, Highest Motorable Roads in the world, etc.

A road or pass where an average skilled local citizen / civilian driver or rider, with permits from army if required, can take an SUV car having high ground clearance (4×2 or 4×4) or an average powered motorbike irrespective of the fact whether the road is carpeted / tarred or unpaved / dirt track as long as such a vehicle can be driven and maintain decent connectivity.

Few Highest passes with their altitude are as follows –

  1. Umling La / Umlingla Pass, Ladakh, India, at an altitude 19300 ft. In 2017, BRO has built and opened the world’s highest road over Umlingla pass or Umling La connecting Chisumle and Demchok villages. Umling La pass is about 105 KMs from Hanley Village and about 235 KMs from Leh.
    2. Road to Uturuncu Potosi, Bolivia, at an altitude of 18953 ft. The road to Uturuncu above col is situated in Potosi, Bolivia which was used to be considered as the world’s highest motorable road at a staggering altitude until India opened up Umlingla.
    3. A Road uphill Mana Pass or Dungri La, Uttarakhand, India, at an altitude of 18406 ft. Mana Pass or Dungri La is situated at the border between Tibet and India in the state of Uttarakhand. Civilians, though native to India, with prior permits from the army can travel up there.
    4. Marsimek La or Marsimik La, Ladakh, India, at an altitude of 18313 ft. Marsimek La or Marsimik La is situated in Ladakh, India where civilians, though native to India, with prior permits from the army can travel.
    5. Semo La, Central Tibet, at an altitude of 18258 ft. Semo La is situated in the central part of Tibet. According to wiki link of Semo La, “Travellers use this route as an alternative access route to western Tibet and Mount Kailash, especially when mud makes access by the more southern route difficult“.
    6. Photi La, Ladakh, India, at an altitude of 18124 ft. The latest unknown entry into one of the world’s highest motorable passes or roads is Photi La pass which is situated in India – Ladakh region, about 30 km from an amazingly beautiful place on this earth called Hanley.
    7. Dongkha La or Donkia La Pass, North Sikkim, India, at an altitude of 17999 ft. Dongkha La or Donkia Pass located in North Sikkim having Tso Lhamo Lake or Cholamu Lake (14th Highest lake in the world) very near to it.
    8. Kaksang La, Ladakh, India, at n altitude of 17841 ft. Kaksang La pass is situated in Changthang region of Ladakh on the route from Mahe to Nama to Chusul to Pangong Tso when going over Hora La Pass that comes first as you start ascending from Mahe ahead of Chumathang near Tso Moriri.
    9. Suge La, West of Lhasa, Tibet, at an altitude of 17815 ft. Suge La is situated in Tibet about 110 KMs northwest of Lhasa. The road to the top is in decent condition and after reaching the top, you get an amazing view of Chomo Gangtse Mountain which boasts an altitude of 23124 ft.
    10. Chang La, Ladakh, India, at an altitude of 17586 ft. You will be in a surprise to know that Changla pass is higher than Khardung La too as per the readings in compliance to SRTM or with modern age GPS systems.
    11. Khardung La, Ladakh, India, at an altitude of 17582 ft. Number eleven on the list is the falsely claimed highest motorable pass in the world named Khardung La pass, situated in Ladakh, India.
    12. Taglang La or Tanglang La, Ladakh, India, at an altitude of 17481 ft. Second last on the list is Taglang La or Tanglang La pass which is located in Ladakh, India. It comes on one of the most beautiful & the adventurous road of the world that is Manali – Leh Highway.
    13. Wari La, Ladakh, India, at an altitude of 17428 ft. Last on the list is a desolated pass situated in Ladakh, India which is connecting the direct route from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso and falls under Nubra Valley. The route to Wari La is quite desolate.

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