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Khardung La Pass
The strategic location of a few destinations makes them even more enjoyable. And one such location is the Khardung La Pass. Visiting the Khardung La Pass is a must if you are visiting Ladakh. This is a location that would offer you a picturesque backdrop that is going to be a jaw-dropping site for sure. This is a popular tourist destination because of the pristine view here. However, other than that, this location is also known for its strategic location and high altitude as well. This is a perfect destination for adventure enthusiasts. This can be the ideal spot for adventure lovers who love a mountain biking trip.
With challenging road conditions, breathtaking views, and such high elevations, Khardung La is the ultimate dream destination. And if you don’t know much about this spot, you don’t need to worry. In this article, I will mention everything you need to know about visiting Khardung La Pass. There are a lot of intricate details that you need to keep in mind before staying here. I will mention all these in this article, so keep reading. This will be a helpful read for you if you plan a trip to Khardung La Pass.
Overview of Khardung La Pass
This beautiful location, Khardung La Pass, is a strategically important location in India. If you are wondering which state Khardung La Pass is in, then let me tell you it is located in the Leh district of the Indian Union Territory. What makes this location an attractive location is the Khardung La Pass altitude. The Khardung La elevation is as high as 5359 metres. This also makes Khardung La Pass the highest motorable road with such an elevation. It is a favourite destination for many tourists, especially adventure lovers. Khardung La Pass connects Manali, Leh, Nubra, and Shyok Valleys. Along with that, it also connects the principal route linking Leh to Kashgarh in Central Asia.
This pass was created in 1976, and the general public could access it in 1988. It is an important pass as it carries supplies to the Siachen glacier. Historically, this pass also holds a lot of importance. During the Second World War, this route was used to pass war well to China. At present, the Border Roads Organization maintains this high-altitude pass.
How to reach Khardung La Pass
Khardung La is located 39 km away from Leh, and you can reach it by road. The challenge of reaching Khardung La mainly lies on the road. The road condition varies throughout the journey as well. The nearest airport to reach here is Leh, and from there, you will have to take a taxi or a bike to reach the pass. If you take a car, it will take around 1 hour and 25 minutes to reach Khardung La from Leh. And if you are taking a bike, it would take around 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach here from Leh.
Another option is to take buses, which are available from Nubra Valley. The distance from Khardung La to Nubra Valley is around 120 km, and if you are taking a car, you can reach here in about 3 hours and 20 minutes. The nearest town from Khardung La is Leh, and you can easily reach Leh from Manali and Srinagar as well. The distance from Manali to Khardung La is 465 km, and it takes around 11 hours to reach there by road.
Road conditions to reach Khardung La Pass
Leh and Khardung, La Pass distance, is around 40 km, and the road could be much better. The majority of the streets need to be more transparent and challenging. It requires a very experienced driver to navigate through such roads. Driving at such a high altitude with so many challenges takes a lot of work. The first 24 km of the road that leads from Leh to the pass till South Pullu Checkpoint is a better roadway because it is a concrete road. So this journey will be better accessible. After that, the next 16 km to the North Pullu is uneven. There are many bad patches with broken roads. And the route even deteriorates with the water streams from the melting snow.
The road remains bad after going towards the Nubra Valley, but it somehow gets a little better after crossing the post.
The best time to visit Khardung La Pass
Khardung La Pass weather is most comfortable from March to May and September to October. It is the summer season here from March to May, with temperatures around 21 degrees. However, the nights sometimes get chilly, with the temperature in Khardung La approaching 7 degrees. If you are visiting during the summer, it would be ideal for all sorts of outdoor activities. You will be able to enjoy the trip and explore the whole area. From September to October, the temperature remains comfortable for a visit.
However, Khardung La winter can be very challenging as the location tends to get cold. Khardung La Pass’s temperature during winter goes to sub-zero, as low as -40 degrees and is almost inaccessible. During snowfall, the whole area is wrapped in 10 feet of snow. After that, the Border Roads Organizations work effectively to clear the snow for commuting. Often, the pass even remains closed from November to February, the peak snowfall months. But still, some people prefer to visit here from January to February. If you are visiting during that time, keep a tab on the weather conditions.
Another time Khardung La becomes completely inaccessible is during the monsoon months of June to August. During this time, the location receives incessant rainfall, and the road conditions get entirely worse. It would be impossible for you to explore the area, so avoid visiting during this time.
Khardung La Pass Permit
Permission is required to visit some portions of Ladakh and Leh. Permit for Khardung La Pass would permit you to see this protected area. It would help if you had an Inner Line Permit, and it is an official document that the India Authorities issue and stamp. It is a compulsory document to visit the restricted area. You can get this document from the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Leh. For a foreigner, this permit is valid for 3 weeks, and for Indians, you have the right to specify when the validity period starts and ends. For foreigners, the name of the document is Protected Area Permit, and for Indians, it is the Inner Line Permit. However, both of these are the same.
How to obtain an Inner Line Permit
You need to follow some straightforward steps to obtain this permit.
First, you need one working day to process the document. Sometimes, it takes even less time, but one day is the general time.
The Permit Office remains open Monday through Saturday. During the spring season, it is even open on Sundays.
An Indian citizen must submit valid identity proof such as a driver’s license, voter card, passport, PAN card, or Aadhar card. For foreigners, a valid passport along with a Visa or OCI Card is needed.
There is no limit to the number of times you can visit the protected area.
Also, there is a fee for the permit. There is an environmental fee of Rs. 400 and a Red Cross Donation of Rs. 100; for Wildlife Protection, there is a fee of Rs. 20 per day. Also, there is an additional fee of Rs. 200 if you still need to get the permit stamped by the office of the Deputy Commissioner.
Things to keep in mind before visiting Khardung La Pass
The altitude of Khardung La Pass is really high, and therefore, the oxygen and air pressure levels will be extremely low. So make sure you give yourself some time to adjust to that. Also, indulging in hardcore strenuous activities can lead to breathlessness, sickness, and nausea, so be careful.
Only spend up to 15 to 20 minutes at the topmost location. Otherwise, the exceptionally high altitude might make you feel sick.
Before heading to Khardung La Pass, you must stay at Leh or any similar higher-altitude location for at least 3-4 days. This will allow you to adjust to the higher altitude and get accustomed to the altitude in Khardung, La.
If you feel you are having trouble while ascending, do not continue ascending towards the location. Immediately take action and descend back.
It is advisable to check the vehicle and the driver before starting this journey so that the journey is hassle-free.
It would help if you went through a `complete body check-up before visiting a location like this. Make sure you are fit enough to see this spot. And people with medical conditions like breathing trouble or heart issues must avoid visiting here.
This location needs proper infrastructure and medical aid. So ensure you carry your own basic first aid kit and necessary medicines.
Petrol pumps are located in Leh and Nubra Valley, and beyond that, you would not find them anymore.
There are no ATMs in the area, so make sure you have enough cash with yourself. The nearest ATM is located in Leh.
Wrapping Up!
A location like Khardung La Pass brings a lot of excitement and thrill. Everything you see here, from the area to altitude to views to the backdrop, will leave you amazed. You will feel surprised at every other point, and the challenges of visiting a location like this will keep you engaged, too. This is a destination that packs a lot of punch. It would require proper planning and preparation to visit a spot like this. But everything you experience will be worth it, and I can guarantee that. When are you planning to visit this pristine location? Also, remember to tell me if this particular article on the Khardung La Pass will help you plan a trip to this spot. I would love to hear that from you.
