Umling La Pass Bike Tour: Highest Motorable Road In The World

Umling La Pass is the highest motorable road in the world, at an altitude of 5798 Mtrs. It is located in the majestic landscape of Ladakh and is one of the world’s most extraordinary and challenging passes.  This Pass is a dream destination for adventurers, as the real thrill lies in reaching the destination on your bike with your friends.

Set among rugged mountains offering panoramic views of the Himalayan range, the Pass stands tall at an elevation of 19024 Feet or 5798 Meters, making it the highest motorable road in the world. Umling La Pass offers adrenaline rush rides for adventurers in the snowy expanse of the Himalayas, and we are here to guide you on how to plan your bike trip there safely and with fun.

Umling La World Highest Motorable Road

In 2017, the Border Road organisation opened Umling La for civilians, and that’s when the Pass was crowned the world’s highest motorable Pass. In 2021, Umling La Pass received the Guinness World Record certificate for being the highest motorable road in the world.

Highlights of Umling La Pass

1. When in Ladakh, head over to the scenic route leading to the Umling La Pass, recognised as the world’s highest motorable road at an altitude of over 19,000 feet above sea level.
2. Capture the majestic views of the Himalayas on camera at Umling La Pass.
3. Enjoy a ride through the 86 km long route of Umling La on your motorbike, and feel the icy cold winds refresh you to your core.
4. Soak in the picturesque beauty of this otherwise barren land with no traces of civilisation.
5. For a unique adventure, explore the villages of Chisum and Demchok, which lie on the Indo-China border and are connected by this stunning mountain pass.

How to Reach Umling La Pass

There are 5 routes through which you can reach Umling-La Top, each providing a unique experience of the Himalayan landscape. Let’s check out the three routes that lead to Umling La Pass.

Route1: (75 km) Hanle – Photi La – Photile – Umling La

This is the most common route to reach Umling Las pass from Hanle compared to all other routes we will check out. However, the second Nurbula Top route is more adventurous and would be more fun in dry road conditions.

Route2: (88 km) Hanle – Ukdungle – Nurbula Top – Umling La

For the second route, the road from Hanle to Ukdungle to Nurbula Top is almost a dirt track, but unless it rains heavily or the snow melts, the slush will not create much issues for the riders. Using a high-ground clearance vehicle to travel on these rough roads is recommended. Once you reach Nurbula Top, you will see tracks leading up to the marred road from where you can easily reach Umling-La Top. So, you can do both routes as a circuit.

Route3: (72 km) Hanle – Bogge/Zursur – Nurbula Top – Umling La

This third route is a shorter version of route two and follows the Hanle – Nurbula Top trek route, where dirt slush tracks can be found towards Zursur village. This road meets somewhere ahead of Ukdungle and before Nurbu La top.

Route4: (116 km) Loma – Koyul – Lekeng Yok (72 km) – Chisumle (91 km) – Umling La

This fourth route starts from Loma and, parallel to the Lom, runs the Hanle road on the other side of the mountain. It all depends on whether the army allows you to take this route, but Demchok in Route Five is where things are stricter. So, you can follow this route until Koyul and then take a right turn to Lekeng York and then to Chisumle Bridge. From there, go over to Umling-La top. This is ideally the shortest route to reach Umling La from Leh.

Route5: (129 km) Loma – Dungti – Koyul – Demchok (102 km) – Umling La

If you seek adventure, you can take this road but at your own risk as there are many ifs and buts to follow this route because you will be required to seek special permission from the army to visit Koyul and Demchok beyond Fukche. Demchok is a village bordering the Indo-Tibet/China border. Getting permission to visit this village as an ordinary civilian is extremely hard. It can result in a day’s waste if the army prevents you from going beyond check-posts at Fukche or Koyul.

Best time to Visit Umling La Pass

The best time to travel to Umling La in Ladakh is during June, when the roads are open, or just before October month, before the roads are closed again. During these months, the area will be less touristy, and you can enjoy the landscape leisurely.

The entire route to the pass remains covered in snow throughout the rest of the year. In winter, it will not be possible to make a trip to Umling La Pass at all. So, the roads to Umling La will be snowbound from November to April. Even in early May, there is a lot of uncertainty as the roads are not actively kept open by the army, and snowfall is still possible anytime, even if the road is open.

Permits Required Travel Umling La Pass

The requirement to obtain special permits for travelling to Umling La Pass mainly depends on the route you take to reach there. You need a special permit signed by the DM (District Magistrate) of Leh if you are taking the Fukche-Koyul-Demchok-Umling La route. As for the rest of the routes, you usually require normal permits to travel.

Food Joints near Umling La Pass

No proper food joint will be around Umling La, but BRO runs a small cafe in season. You may find some snacks/tea up there at the cafe.

You may get the nearest food at army posts and local village dhabas at Koyul, Demchok, and Hanle. It’s highly suggested that you take packed food from Hanle Village as a safe side when travelling to such a remote location; carrying some spare food in case you get stuck somewhere due to roadblocks or landslides is better. If you travel with a travel company, they will likely arrange it for you.

Petrol Pumps Nearby

If you are taking a bike tour in Leh-Ladakh region, you should be well-known of the petrol pumps in the area. For Umling-la paas, a new petrol station has opened in Tangtse, approximately 34 km from Pangong Lake. This is the recommended stop for refuelling and carrying additional fuel for travellers from the Pangong side. The nearest petrol pump to Umling La is situated in Karu, about 240 km from Hanle. You’ll encounter this pump if you approach Umling La Pass from Leh. 

Carrying sufficient spare fuel to complete your trip is essential, as fuel availability depends on your chosen route. Calculate the required fuel based on the extra distance you plan to travel from Hanle. Karu is relatively close to Leh, so you should bring extra fuel if you take the route from Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri or Leh to Tso Moriri. Additionally, you may find fuel sold by local villagers in Hanle or Chumathang if needed.

ATMs Nearby

Make sure that you carry enough cash from Leh as it has ATMs. Then, another ATM is in Nyoma.

Phone Signals at Umling La Pass

You will lose connectivity to Umling-La Top and back when you leave Hanle Village. Recently, a BSNL phone tower has been built in Hanle, and phone connectivity is sometimes present in the village. However, do not rely much on it. 

Things to keep in mind when travelling to Umling La Pass

1. Located at an altitude of 19,300ft, Umling La Pass is characterised by extremely thin air, which makes even normal breathing very difficult. So, if you suffer from respiratory problems or any other kind of heart condition, you should avoid travelling to Umling La Pass.
2. Altitude mountain sickness is quite common in Ladakh, and you must acclimate yourself adequately before going on a bike tour to Umling La Pass.
3. You should never forget to carry extra supplementary oxygen.
4. Remember that special permits are required to travel in certain areas.
5. Before starting your journey to Umling La, ensure you acclimatise according to the dropped oxygen level and increase in altitude. This will help you enjoy your trip to higher altitudes the most.
6. A handy first aid kit is essential and should be readily available in your backpack.
7. The distance from Leh to Umling La is about 230 km, so start your journey well-planned. It would take time and effort. Pre-plan your staying options near the pass and other things.

Travel Umling La Pass With TripzyGo

The Umling La Pass bike tour, the highest motorable road in India, combines stunning scenery with exciting tests for adventurers. This highest drivable pass in the world, at 19,024 feet (5,798 meters), draws thrill-seekers worldwide. To reach Umling La with a Ladakh bike tour means more than just getting there; it puts a rider’s stamina and readiness to the test, as they must handle rough ground and get used to high elevations.When you get to Umling La, you’ll see amazing views of the Himalayas all around you. You’ll also feel proud of what you’ve done.

Riding through this incredible place and bonding with other adventurers makes it a trip you’ll never forget. To make your trip worry-free, go on a bike tour to Umling La with TripzyGo, as we promise an adrenaline-pumping adventure and an opportunity to connect with nature in one of its most pristine forms. With proper preparation and respect for the challenges ahead, this journey will undoubtedly be a highlight for any adventure seeker in 2025.