It is a dream for every bike enthusiast to take a road trip to some of the highest roads in India to seek thrills and witness the surreal beauty. The highest motorable passes in India are not only roads but also journeys that reach the sky. These are the paths that challenge your courage, pay with patience and leave you speechless at every corner. Thin air, flags blowing in the breeze, snow walls higher than vehicles, and silence that is more deafening than a scream are all that you can expect here. When you are driving along the highest pass in India, you feel insignificant, alive, and close to nature. This guide will take you on the legendary paths where even breathing is an accomplishment. If your soul is craving a road trip or if the mountains are calling your name, then take a trip to Ladakh, as these passes are waiting to welcome you with open arms.
Top 10 Highest Motorable Passes in India
The highest motorable passes in India are located at extreme altitudes. Among the famous passes in Ladakh, some are military highways, others are old commercial pathways, and the rest are engineering wonders. Be aware of what to expect prior to planning your trip to the highest motorable road in India and even beyond.
1. Umling La or Umlingla Pass
Umling La Pass is the pride of Indian road engineering and is referred to as the highest mountain pass in India. It is located in eastern Ladakh, and it is like travelling to a new planet. The scenery is rugged, silent and mighty, containing sharp mountains, dry valleys, and endless skies. Driving here is not about speed, but survival and patience. It is very low in oxygen, and even a few steps can make one breathless. This road, which was constructed by the Border Roads Organisation, primarily used as a strategic road, has become a fantasy destination among adventure seekers. Umling la pass height in feet is 19,024, and hence, it demonstrates that human will can succeed even in the most severe circumstances on the planet.
Height: 19,024 feet.
Best Time to Visit: June to September
Permit Needed: Yes (Inner Line Permit)
2. Mana Pass or Dungri La
Mana Pass, also known as Dungri La, is the oldest and the highest Pass of India close to the Indian border. This road begins at the Mana village that is the final village of India. The road is sharp, narrow and surrounded by snow-capped mountains throughout the year. The weather is unpredictable and therefore makes travelling difficult. The road is historically and strategically very significant and is utilised primarily by the military. The silence here is spiritual, and the environment is clean and pure.
Height: Around 18,399 feet
Best Time to Visit: June to September
Permit Needed: Yes (Restricted military area)
3. Marsimek L /Marsimik La
One of the most interesting highways in Ladakh is Marsimik La. The road is steep and rough, and only experienced drivers can use the track. It passes through remote regions with no population or infrastructure. The landscape is dramatic with great valleys and mountains in the distance. Due to the low oxygen content, vehicles tend to have difficulties climbing the mountain. The pass has become popular since it was made accessible to civilians, and it is believed to be one of the highest motorable passes in India. It is an adventure that is challenging and at the same time very rewarding.
Height: Around 18,953 feet.
Best Time to Visit: June to September.
Permit Required: Yes
4. Photi La
Photi La is an elevated pass that has a rugged topography and unpredictable weather. It is a small and rocky road, mostly covered with snow. Patience and planning are required in driving here. Visibility may abruptly reduce owing to fog or snow. Its environment is wild and untouched, and the mountain feels like it is in isolation. Photi La is a less popular high road, but it is frequently featured in the list of the highest motorable passes in India as well as globally due to its height.
Height: Around 17,999 feet.
Best Time to Visit: June to September.
Permit Required: Yes
5. Dongkha La / Donkia La Pass
Donkia La Pass is considered to be one of the best motorable passes in Sikkim. It links India and Tibet, and it is strategically and historicallyimportant. The highway cuts across snow-covered scenery, iced lakes, and mountain ridges. The weather is extreme, and travelling is restricted to a few months. The drive has breathtaking scenery, yet it should be done with due care and caution. This is one of the highest motorable passes in India in the eastern part of the Himalayas.
Height: Around 18,042 feet.
Best Time to Visit: May to October.
Permit Required: Yes
6. Kaksang La
Kaksang La is a high-altitude, least-travelled mountain road in Ladakh, and thus, a real adventure trail for experienced travellers. The highway cuts across a desert terrain that appears dry, broad, and infinite. The road does not have villages, shops or fuel stations; hence, proper planning is required. The silence is profound and overwhelming, interrupted only by the wind and cars' engines. The oxygen concentration decreases drastically with the elevation, and several tourists experience shortness of breath after a few minutes. The weather is unpredictable, and sudden strong winds and unexpected snowfall can happen even in summer. The Kaksang La drive gives a pure and pure mountain feel that is experienced by very few people.
Height: Approx. 17,851 feet.
Best Time to Visit: June to September.
Permit Required: Yes (Inner Line Permit)
7. Suge La
The high altitude mountain road in the Tibetan Plateau is called Suge La, characterised by its broad open stretches and extreme elevation. The highway cuts through expansive terrain with mountainous horizons that seem remote and infinite. There is little vegetation, and the area is cold and empty for most of the year. Powerful winds are also frequent, and it is sometimes difficult to drive. The air is thin, and it impacts the people and the vehicles, as the engines usually fail to climb. The road is also rough in a few places where one needs to be careful when driving. Due to its height, Suge La is considered one of the highest motorable passes in India. The path is long, silent, and challenging.
Height: Approx. 17,887 feet.
Best Time to visit: May to September.
Permit Required: Yes
8. Chang La
Chang La is among the most popular highways in Ladakh. It links Leh and the Pangong Lake. The circuit is characterised by steep turns, snow-covered hills, and mountainous scenery. The weather is so unpredictable that within a few hours, the sunshine might be covered with snow. The Indian Army maintains the road, and it is one of the less risky high passes. Nevertheless, the elevation may lead to breathing issues, headache, and exhaustion among most of the travellers. Chang La can be filled with crowds during high season, but it remains powerful and overwhelming. It is also believed by many who visit it that it is the highest road in India, which contributes to its popularity among tourists.
Height: Approx. 17,586 feet.
Best Time to Visit: May to October.
Permit Required: Yes
9. Khardung La
The Khardung La Pass is another legendary mountain road in India. It was believed to be the highest motorable passes in India, and this made it known to the entire world and famous for many years. The highway links Leh and the Nubra Valley and crosses the spectacular mountainous landscape. The ascent is steep, and the weather might be rough, with snow, fog, and powerful winds being usual. The oxygen content is minimal, and the travellers will easily experience dizziness or fatigue. Khardung La is still technically high, despite being many surveys correcting its height, although it maintains its emotional value to lovers of road trips. Driving here almost feels like achieving a milestone in the Himalayas.
Height: Approx. 17,582 feet.
Best Time to Visit: May to October.
Permit Required: Yes
10. Taglang La or Tanglang La
One of the highest motorable passes in India on the Leh-Manali highway is Taglang La or the Tanglang La. Travellers who are travelling to Ladakh commonly cross it. The surface of the drive is also smoother, as this is the only high altitude road with a wider and well-paved surface. The landscape in the area seems very spacious and lonely, and the straight roads lead into the distance. Although the roads are now in more favourable conditions, altitude sickness still prevails due to the increase in height. There are heavy winds, and evenings become very cold. Taglang La provides a sense of openness and size that makes travellers fully appreciate the magnitude of the mountains.
Height: Approx. 17,480 feet.
Best Time to Visit: June to September.
Permit Required: No
Conclusion
The highest motorable passes in India are not just some destinations, but are experiences to be had once in a lifetime. These roads teach patience, admiration of nature, and the loveliness of silence. Between Umling La and Khardung La, each of the passes narrates a tale of courage and connection. These roads are calling you if you dream of driving over the clouds and reaching the sky. Plan your trip now without any second thoughts because those roads are worth more than a mere visit; they are worth remembering.
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