Khardung La Pass Ladakh — 5,359m Gateway to Nubra Valley Guide
One of the world's highest and most iconic motorable mountain passes, carrying vehicles over the Ladakh Range into the Nubra and Shyok valleys.
Elevation: 5,359 m (17,582 ft)Range: Ladakh RangeMaintained By: BRO (Project HIMANK)Gateway to: Nubra & Shyok ValleysPermit: Inner Line Permit (ILP) Required
Khardung La (5,359 m / 17,582 ft), the legendary high-altitude pass spanning the crest of the Ladakh Range, maintained by Border Roads Organisation Project HIMANK.Quick Orientation
Official Elevation
5,359 m (17,582 ft) [GPS: 5,359m; Signboard: 18,380ft]
Khardung La (meaning 'Pass of the Lower Castle' in Ladakhi) is one of the most famous, challenging, and celebrated high-altitude mountain passes on Earth. Carved across the jagged granite crest of the Ladakh Range approximately 39 kilometres north of Leh, the pass sits at a verified geographical elevation of 5,359 metres (17,582 feet), though historic roadside signs famously claim 18,380 feet.
Constructed in 1976 and opened to civilian vehicular traffic in 1988, Khardung La was built by the heroic engineers and pioneering jawans of the **Border Roads Organisation (BRO)** under Project HIMANK. Geopolitically, the pass serves as India's vital logistical lifeline, carrying military supply convoys, fuel bowsers, and heavy equipment northward across the mountains to support troops stationed along the Line of Actual Control and the forbidding heights of the Siachen Glacier.
Chapter II — Altitude Physiology & Safety
Surviving the 50% Oxygen Drop at the Crest
At an elevation of 5,359 metres, the atmospheric barometric pressure at the summit of Khardung La drops to approximately 50 percent of sea level value. Inhaling thin mountain air containing half the normal effective oxygen molecules triggers rapid physiological responses, including accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath, and mild dizziness.
For this reason, medical authorities and the Indian Army strictly mandate a **maximum 20-to-25-minute stopover** at the pass crest for tourists. Lingering longer for extended photo sessions or undertaking physical exertion (such as running or climbing nearby snow banks) dramatically elevates the risk of severe High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or Cerebral Edema (HACE). An Indian Army medical aid station and emergency oxygen post operate permanently at the summit to assist travelers in distress.
Chapter III — The Journey & Summit Experience
From South Pullu to the Prayer Flag Covered Summit
The drive from Leh to Khardung La is an extraordinary vertical journey. The paved road ascends steadily past scrub-covered hills, passing the military checkpoint at South Pullu (where Inner Line Permits are registered) before winding through dizzying switchbacks flanked by vertical scree drops and permanent glacial snow drifts.
Reaching the summit is a profoundly moving emotional milestone for motorcyclists, cyclists, and road-trippers from around the world. Hundreds of strings of colorful Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags (*lungta*) criss-cross the pass, fluttering vigorously in the sub-zero gale. At the summit stands the world-famous yellow BRO signboard, a small Buddhist temple, an Indian Army souvenir shop, and the iconic *Rinchen Cafe*, where shivering travelers can sip complimentary hot black tea while taking in the endless vista of snow-crested Karakoram peaks marching to the northern horizon.
Logistics & Practical Advice
How to Reach, Permits & Travel Rules
Critical Information for Visitors
Route: 39 km north of Leh on the road to Diskit/Nubra. Well-paved for the majority of the route, with a rougher unpaved gravel section near the pass crest due to seasonal meltwater and rockfall.
Checkpoints: South Pullu (14 km before the pass) and North Pullu (15 km past the pass) inspect permits. Carry at least 4 to 6 printed copies of your Inner Line Permit.
Opening Hours: The pass is kept open year-round by the BRO using heavy snow cutters, except during active winter blizzards. Traffic flow is strictly regulated: Leh to Nubra traffic typically departs in the morning, while return traffic descends in the afternoon.
Cycling & Biking: Downhill cycling from Khardung La back to Leh (a thrilling 39 km continuous descent on rented mountain bikes) is one of Ladakh's top adventure sports.
While historic BRO signboards at the summit state 18,380 feet (5,602 metres), modern calibrated GPS and satellite surveys confirm the true pass elevation is 5,359 metres (17,582 feet).
Is Khardung La the highest motorable road in the world?
No. For many decades it was popularly claimed as the highest, but today that title officially belongs to Umling La (19,024 ft / 5,798 m), also located in eastern Ladakh.
How long should I stay at Khardung La pass?
Spend no more than 20 to 25 minutes at the summit. The air has 50% less oxygen than at sea level, and prolonged stays cause acute mountain sickness, nausea, and severe headaches.
Do I need a permit to cross Khardung La?
Yes. Crossing Khardung La to enter Nubra Valley requires an official Ladakh Inner Line Permit (ILP) or Protected Area Permit (PAP).
Is Khardung La open in winter?
Yes, the Border Roads Organisation keeps Khardung La open almost year-round to supply the military, though sudden heavy snowfalls can temporarily close the pass for 24 to 48 hours for snow clearance.
