Fotu La Pass Ladakh — 4,108m Highest Point on Srinagar-Leh Highway
The highest motorable pass on the Srinagar-Leh highway, offering sweeping views over the dramatic Moonland badlands of Lamayuru.
Elevation: 4,108 m (13,478 ft)Highway: NH1 (Srinagar-Leh)Rank: Highest Point on NH1Landmark: Prasar Bharati TV TowerOverlook: Lamayuru Moonland Basin
Fotu La (4,108 m / 13,478 ft), the highest mountain pass along the Srinagar-Leh National Highway (NH1), overlooking the Zanskar Range.Quick Orientation
Elevation
4,108 m (13,478 ft)
Highway
National Highway 1 (Srinagar-Kargil-Leh)
Significance
Highest summit point on NH1
Distance from Leh
130 km west (approx. 3.5 hours)
Distance from Kargil
90 km east (approx. 2 hours)
Chapter I — Highest Point on NH1
The Crowning Crest of the Srinagar-Leh Highway
Fotu La (often spelled *Fatu La*) is a prominent high-altitude mountain pass situated at an elevation of 4,108 metres (13,478 feet) in the Zanskar Range of western Ladakh. It holds the preeminent geographical distinction of being the **highest motorable point along the entire 434-kilometre Srinagar-Leh National Highway (NH1)**, surpassing even the famous Zoji La (3,528 m) and Namika La (3,700 m) in elevation.
Located roughly 90 kilometres east of Kargil and 130 kilometres west of Leh, Fotu La marks the dramatic boundary where the rugged river valleys of western Ladakh transition into the surreal, pale yellow lacustrine badlands of Lamayuru. The ascent from both directions is beautifully engineered, winding through wide, sweeping curves of smooth asphalt maintained to perfection by the Border Roads Organisation.
Chapter II — Panoramic Summit & Television Tower
The High Relay Mast and Trans-Himalayan Horizons
At the summit of Fotu La, the skyline is dominated by the soaring red-and-white mast of the **Prasar Bharati Television and Radio Relay Station**, one of the highest television relay towers in the world. The facility broadcasts national television and All India Radio signals deep into the remote valleys of Kargil, Zanskar, and Sham.
Strings of vibrant Buddhist prayer flags cover the roadside summit milestone, fluttering in the relentless dry mountain wind. Stepping out at the pass crest, travelers are greeted with an extraordinary 360-degree panoramic vista: to the north rise the jagged, glaciated massifs of the Ladakh Range; to the south stretch the rugged pinnacles of the Zanskar Range; and immediately to the east, the road descends into the ancient palaeo-lake canyon of Lamayuru Moonland.
Chapter III — Road History & Smooth Transit
A Masterpiece of High-Altitude Highway Engineering
Historically, crossing Fotu La in winter was a hazardous trial for postal runners and pack animals due to violent windstorms and sudden blizzards. Today, thanks to the continuous vigilance of BRO Project VIJAYAK, the road across Fotu La is one of the smoothest, safest, and most dependable high-altitude highway sections in northern India.
Unlike Zoji La, which suffers from heavy monsoon precipitation and vertical mud cliffs, Fotu La lies deep within the arid rain-shadow zone. As a result, snowfall at Fotu La is significantly lighter and drier, allowing the pass to remain open for vehicular traffic much later into the winter season (often well into December or early January).
Logistics & Practical Advice
How to Reach, Permits & Travel Rules
Critical Information for Visitors
Highway: Located on NH1 between Bodhkharbu (west) and Lamayuru (east). Approximately 2 hours drive from Kargil and 3.5 hours from Leh.
Road Condition: Excellent, smooth, two-lane asphalt highway suitable for all vehicles, including small hatchbacks and motorcycles.
Permits: No permits required for domestic or international tourists (open national highway).
Attractions En Route: Combine crossing Fotu La with a visit to Lamayuru Monastery and the Moonland viewpoints (just 15 km east of the pass).
What is the highest pass on the Srinagar-Leh highway?
Fotu La is the highest pass on the Srinagar-Leh highway (NH1), with an elevation of 4,108 metres (13,478 feet).
Is Fotu La higher than Zoji La?
Yes. Fotu La sits at 4,108 metres, which is nearly 600 metres higher than Zoji La (3,528 metres).
What is the large tower at the top of Fotu La pass?
The large tower at the summit is a high-altitude Prasar Bharati television and radio relay mast that broadcasts signals across the mountainous terrain of western Ladakh.
How far is Lamayuru Monastery from Fotu La?
Lamayuru Monastery and the famous Moonland viewpoints are located just 15 km east of the Fotu La summit, taking about 20 minutes to descend.
Do I need an Inner Line Permit to cross Fotu La?
No. Fotu La is situated on the open National Highway 1 and does not require an Inner Line Permit.
