Khardung La (Khardung Pass, la means pass in Tibetan) is a mountain pass located in the Ladakh region of the Indianstate of Jammu and Kashmir. The local pronunciation is "Khardong La" or "Khardzong La," but, as with most names in Ladakh, the romanised spelling varies.
The pass on the Ladakh Range lies north of Leh and is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. The Siachen Glacier lies part way up the latter valley. Built in 1976, it was opened to public motor vehicles in 1988 and has since seen manyautomobile, motorbike and mountain biking expeditions. Maintained by the Border Roads Organisation, the pass is strategically important to India as it is used to carry supplies to the Siachen Glacier.
The elevation of Khardung La is 5,359 m (17,582 ft.) Local summit signs and dozens of stores selling shirts in Leh incorrectly claim that its elevation is in the vicinity of 5,602 m (18,379 ft) metres and that it is the world's highest motorable pass.
Khardong La is historically important as it lies on the major caravan route from Leh to Kashgar in Central Asia. About 10,000 horses and camels used to take the route annually, and a small population of Bactrian camels can still be seen at Hunder, in the area north of the pass. During World War II there was an attempt to transfer war material to China through this route.
Location
Khardung La is 39 km by road from Leh. Earlier, the first 24 km, as far as the South Pullu check point, were paved. From there to the North Pullu checkpoint about 15 km beyond the pass the roadway was primarily loose rock, dirt, and occasional rivulets of snow melt. Now, all the way is properly paved. Road approaching Nubra Valley is very well maintained (except in a few places where washouts or falling rock occur). Hired vehicles (two- and four-wheel-drive), heavy trucks, and motorcycles regularly travel into the Nubra Valley, though special permits are required to be arranged for travellers.
The 5,359 m (17,582 ft.) elevation measure from hundreds of GPS surveys matches SRTM data, ASTER GDEM data, and Russian topographic mapping. It is broadly consistent with numerous GPS reports.
Climate
Khardung La has an arctic tundra climate (ET) with short, cool summers and long, very cold winters.
Best time to visit
March-June is best time to visit in Khardung La Pass.
Tourist places near Khardung-La-Pass
Shanti Stupa:
Shanti Stupa Road | 500 steps from Changspa Road, Leh 194101, India.
12 km from Khardung La.
Leh Royal Palace:
Leh India
12.6 km from Khardung La
Jama Masjid-Leh:
Main Bazaar, Leh India
13.1 km from Khardung La
Tibetan Market
Leh India
13 km from Khardung La
Sankar Monastery:
3 Km from Leh, Leh 194101 India
11.8 km from Khardung La
Prayer Wheel:
Fort Road, Leh India
13.4 km from Khardung La
Namgyal Tsemo Gompa:
Namgyal Hill, Leh 194101 India
12.5 km from Khardung La
Monastery Circuit:
Leh India
12.9 km from Khardung La
Phyang Monastery:
Leh Srinagar Highway, Leh 194101 India
14.7 km from Khardung La
