Khardung La Pass

About Khardung La Pass

Khardung La carries the road from Leh over the Ladakh range into the Shyok and Nubra valleys, and for decades was marketed to visitors — on the summit signboard itself — as the highest motorable pass in the world at 5,602 metres. More precise GPS survey work in recent years has generally settled the pass's actual elevation closer to 5,359 metres, and its claim to the global superlative is, in any case, contested by several other Himalayan and Andean roads depending on how 'motorable' is defined; travellers should treat the 'highest in the world' claim as a piece of enduring signage folklore rather than a settled fact, without it diminishing the pass's genuine and considerable altitude. What is not in dispute is that this is among the highest paved roads accessible to ordinary tourist vehicles anywhere, and the physiological effects of that altitude are real regardless of which exact figure is correct. The summit itself offers a short, cold, exhilarating stop: a small shrine, a BRO-maintained signboard that is the obligatory photograph for every visitor, an army-run canteen serving tea and instant noodles, and views north toward the Karakoram range and south back down toward the Indus valley and Leh.

Best time of day: Mid-morning. 09:00–11:00, after the pass has had time to clear any overnight ice but before afternoon cloud buildup typical of high-altitude weather reduces visibility; avoid lingering at the summit for photography beyond 20–30 minutes given the altitude.

Khardung La Pass timings

Opening hours

No fixed hours

Mon–Sun	No fixed hours

Accessible during daylight hours when open; the Border Roads Organisation does not enforce a fixed gate schedule but discourages lingering after dark due to ice, cold, and the absence of lighting.

Closed on

Open every day

Good to know: Officially maintained open May through October depending on snow clearance; can close temporarily even within this window after fresh snowfall, sometimes for a full day or more. Winter closure (November–April) is standard, and the pass should not be attempted outside the maintained season without direct confirmation from the BRO or local authorities.

Opening hours compiled from bro.gov.in and public records, last updated 16 September 2026. They change without notice — confirm before you travel. How we write these guides

Khardung La Pass ticket price

No entry fee for the pass itself. Inner Line Permit is mandatory (checked at the North Pullu checkpost before the final ascent) since the pass is the access route to the restricted Nubra Valley zone. A café at the summit run by the Indian Army's welfare canteen sells hot drinks and instant noodles at modest, fixed prices.

Prices compiled from bro.gov.in and public records, last updated 16 September 2026. They change without notice — confirm before you travel. How we write these guides

Best time to visit Khardung La Pass

History of Khardung La Pass

Rules & etiquette at Khardung La Pass

Tips for visiting Khardung La Pass

1. 1

   Khardung La is not a destination to linger at — treat the 20-to-30-minute stop as the practical maximum given the altitude, and resist the temptation to walk around extensively for photographs; even fit, acclimatised visitors typically notice breathlessness on minimal exertion at this elevation. This is one of the highest points most tourists will reach anywhere in their lives, and the standard 48-hour Leh acclimatisation protocol applies with particular force here: attempting Khardung La on your first or second day in Ladakh, especially having flown directly into Leh from sea level, measurably raises your risk of acute mountain sickness symptoms including headache, nausea, and in rare but serious cases high-altitude pulmonary or cerebral oedema.

2. 2

   Most visitors experience Khardung La not as a dedicated outing but as the access route to Nubra Valley, which is the more logical way to think about the pass — plan it as the opening leg of a Nubra trip rather than a there-and-back day trip purely for the signboard photograph, since the latter yields a long, physiologically taxing round trip for a single stop. Carry warm layers regardless of season: even in July, wind chill at the summit is significant, and a light jacket adequate in Leh town is not sufficient here.

3. 3

   Confirm the pass is open before setting out — BRO closes it after fresh snowfall even within the official May–October season, sometimes with little advance notice, and your Leh guesthouse or taxi operator will generally know the current status from same-morning updates circulating among local drivers.

How to reach Khardung La Pass

The red star is Khardung La Pass; the numbered pins are the 2 nearest places in our guides, each showing its rank in its city. Tap a pin for details.

Khardung La, Leh District, Ladakh — on the Leh–Nubra road, approximately 40 km north of Leh.Directions in Google Maps

• From Leh Main Bazaar

  40 km · 75–100 min

  Included within Nubra Valley taxi packages (₹5,500–₹8,500 one-way to Diskit/Hunder); a dedicated round-trip to the pass alone is uncommon and not recommended given the altitude exposure for minimal payoff

• From Leh Main Bazaar

  ₹800–₹1,200

  40 km · 75–100 min

  Per day rental, fuel extra; requires prior acclimatisation and cold-weather riding gear

• From North Pullu checkpost

  15 km · 25–35 min

  Included in vehicle hire; ILP checked here before proceeding

Khardung La Pass FAQs