Khardungla Pass In Leh-Ladakh: All You Need To Know!

Have you ever dreamed of going on a motorbike adventure with your friends on one of the highest motorable passes? Welcome to Khardungla Pass! Gateway to Shyok and Nubra Valley, Khardungla is a pass on the Ladakh range just 40km from Leh.

Famous for being at an elevation of 5359 meters high, this pass is a favourite among bike riders and adventure lovers. With snowcapped mighty mountains in every direction your eyes go, this beautiful paas is every rider’s dream. 

But if you are struggling to decide and book your plan, we have got you covered with every information you need to make an easy decision and ignite that bike to go on your next adventure.

Historical Beauty Of Khardung la Top

Khardung La has some interesting history attached to it, and travellers love knowing the historical information when travelling to a place. It is said that Khardung La is situated on the famous Caravan route that connected Leh to Kashgar, a stop on the Silk Road in Central Asia. Khardungla Pass was constructed in 1976, made open for the public in 1988, and today, it’s maintained by the Indian Border Roads Organization. 

Highlights of Khardungla Pass Height

1. With a height of 5359 meters above sea level, The Khardungla top is known for being one of the highest motorable roads in the world, making it a bucket list item for riders.
2. If you are on an adventure bike trip, make sure that you spend a day riding your bike through the Khardungla Pass to reach Nubra Valley and enjoy the majestic views.
3. The pass has many small villages located on its way, all of which have little to no population, making you fall in love with the place even more and enjoy the cultural beauty of Leh-Ladakh.
4. The condition of the road here differentiates every season. While it remains closed during the winter season due to snowfall and landslides, the best time for you to venture out here is during the summer months between May and August.

How To Reach Khardung la

Like any other perfect destination, reaching here is a little tricky, and you need your adventure spirit to take over. Most importantly, this place is inaccessible by road and about 40 km away from Leh. Let us guide you on how to get there.

Khardung La by air

Suppose you are short on time and wish to cover as much as possible on a flight before hitting the roads. You can board a plane to Leh’s Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport and then reach Khardungla top via the only road that happens to be one of the world’s highest motorable roads in a car or a bike if you love adventure.

Khardung La by road

The road is the only and best way to Khardungla top because you can witness the open panoramic mountain view on this road. Cars and bikes are available for rent around Leh, and Buses are available too. They start from Leh and go all the way up to Nubra Valley, passing through Khardungla Pass.

It takes about one and a half to two hours in a car, a little faster if you are on a bike.

Khardung La by rails

If you love a train journey, then this plan is for you; yes, you can travel to Khardung La via train, but it will only be up to Jammu. You can get to Jammu Tawai railway station by train, then use the roadways to reach Leh (Manali-Leh Highway), and from there, you can go to the Khardungla pass by road.

Road Conditions To Khardung La

The distance between Leh and Khardung La top is 39 kilometres. Until the South Pullu Checkpoint, the first 25 km are very smooth good condition overall, with some bad patches here and there.

The road condition starts to deteriorate past the South Pullu Checkpoint until the very top, where riders can find melted snow, broken rocks, landslides, etc., on the way. Moving towards the Nubra Valley, the road is again in terrible condition until the North Pullu Post. After crossing the North Pullu, it starts to get better.

Best time to visit Khardung La

You will feel the heat of the sun and the chills of the wind simultaneously and love the experience.  But you need to be careful about Khardungla pass weather when planning your trip, as you don’t want to get stuck in the weather from where you have to struggle to get out.

Since it is a cold and windy place and is at a very high altitude, it is covered in snow most of the time; heavy snowfall is a staple in the Khardungla top.

It is advisable to visit this place during the summer, i.e., from March to May. September-October can also be considered an option. The weather here in the summer is moderate, with temperatures rising to 20° C. But at night, the temperatures can still go a low of 6° C and sometimes even close to 0° C.

During the spring season, the Khardungla top is completely closed due to the incessant rainfall. Winters are a no-no for this place because the temperature ranges in the negative throughout the season. It becomes challenging due to the excruciating cold and the increased frequency of snowfall.

Places nearby Khardung La

After riding through the majestic views of Khardungla, an incredible journey, you can explore more places around Khardungla Top that are equally exciting for your adventure bike tour.

First, you have the Spituk monastery (Spituk Gompa), also known as Pethup Gompa, a Buddhist monastery beautifully constructed on a hill with great views of the hills of the Ladakh range. 

The Leh Palace, constructed in the 1600s, will give you subtle 17th-century vibes. Leh Palace is nine stories high and has numerous archaic paintings dating back to even 450 years! It used to be a royal palace but was abandoned in the 19th century. It now attracts a lot of visitors looking for peace and calm.

Finally, make your way to the Siachen glacier, one of the most challenging terrains due to its high elevation and extreme weather conditions. Siachen is significant for the military but offers stunning views and is a point of interest for adventure enthusiasts.

Many more monasteries are nearby, including a stupa and a museum down the hill with significant archaic collections. Ultimately, riding the Khardung La Pass is an unforgettable experience; the journey itself is a remarkable adventure that makes every effort worthwhile.

Permit For Khardung La

The Inner Line Permit grants permission for travelling to a protected area for a certain amount of time. The issuance of the document ILP is mandatory for all citizens who do not belong to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The foreigners are also required to obtain a Ladakh Protected Area Permit before visiting the region.

The ILP is valid for one year for foreigners and three weeks for Indians. You can apply for an ILP at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Leh, and if you are travelling with a travel company, they can help you obtain the permit that is mostly included in the plan. You’ll need an ILP to visit some areas of Ladakh, including Khardung La, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Dah, Hanu Villages, Man, Merak, and Nyoma.

Things To Keep In Mind Before Visiting Khardung La Pass

1. The places are very remote, so medical facilities are rare. Carrying a first-aid kit and some medicines for basic ailments is advisable.
2. Oxygen and air pressure Levels are extremely low at Khardung La Pass. Running around or indulging in strenuous activities can lead to sickness or nausea.
3. Do not spend more than 15-20 minutes at the top, as it can cause altitude sickness and breathing problems.
4. To get accustomed to high altitude, spend 3-4 days in Leh or any other similar region before heading out to Khardung La.
5. Proper Acclimatization is mandatory before visiting Khardung La Pass.
6. If you are experiencing altitude sickness while ascending towards the pass and the sickness doesn’t seem to subside, it’s highly advisable to descend back.
7. The roads here are not cemented and are very dusty. It is advisable to hire a professional to drive, and if you want to ride a bike, use a mask.
8. Performing a thorough vehicle check before heading to the pass is advised to be safer. 
9. Petrol pumps are scarce at the Khardungla top. The only functional petrol pumps are in Nubra Valley and the Leh region.
10. A travel permit will be required to go to the Khardungla pass.
11. There are no accommodation places in this area. You have to go down the hill and stay in nearby towns.

Things To Carry To Khardung La Pass

1. A waterproof backpack
2. Lots of water (Hydration bag for bikers)
3. Medical Kit (Painkillers, Stomach medicine, and Basic first aid)
4. Sturdy shoes for mountain road
5. Fully charged batteries
6. Large containers of fuel
7. Sunglasses and Sunscreen lotion
8. Carry Diamox tablets to treat high altitude sickness.
9. Food packages. Eat light food at regular intervals.
10. Chewing gum, Energy bars, Chocolate bars.
11. Portable oxygen cylinders
12. Extra woollen clothing and raincoats
13. Note (Make sure you are not allergic to Dimaox or any painkillers)

Travel Leh-Ladakh (khardungla pass) With TripzyGo

Exploring Khardungla Pass is not just a journey but a Ladakh bike adventure you take with your friends. As one of the highest motorable passes in the world, with landscapes full of mountains, palaces full of historical significance, and the thrill of riding your bike through challenging terrains, Khardung la Top is a gateway to the magnificent Nubra Valley and beyond. 

Remember to prioritise your safety and preparation as you plan your trip to Leh-Ladakh and conquer the Khardungla pass height. To make your travel trouble-free, TripzyGo‘s experts are here with upcoming Ladakh bike trips to make your adventure to Khardungla Pass seamless and enjoyable. So gear up, embrace the spirit of adventure, and let’s check mark the Khardungla top in Leh-Ladakh on your travel bucket list!