Khardung LA Pass, Ladakh: How to Reach, Best Time & Tips

Khardung LA Pass is an outstanding mesmerizing destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Khardung La Pass is located in Ladakh, in the stunning Karakoram Range. Its historical significance, stunning views, and the thrill of driving on its winding roads attract a huge number of tourists every year. Here in this guide, we are providing you with some valuable information and tips for your memorable trip to Khardung LA.

Historical Significance of Khardung La

Being a vital military and economic route, Khardung La Pass has a long and rich history. In the past, it was a component of the Silk Road, which connected the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. Through this path, dealers used to travel across the areas. Also, they brought with them commodities and creative inspirations.

Khardung La rose to prominence in more recent times throughout the 20th century as the Indian Army used it as a vital supply route. This route was vital to the Indian Army’s posts and facilities located in the world’s highest battleground—the Siachen Glacier. This is because it provided supplies of necessary goods. The difficult terrain and severe weather made this crossing even more important for military operations.

Exploration and Accomplishments

It is a huge achievement to reach the summit of Khardung LA. Khardung LA Pass is at an elevation of 5,602 meters (18,379 feet). It would be best if you had special vehicles to get there because the road is tough. But you can drive there!

Getting to the top of Khardung La Pass is a big deal for many people. It shows they didn’t give up and they love adventure. Going there is fun and you won’t forget it! You must drive up steep hills, twisty turns, and rough ground.

How To Reach Khardung La Pass

By road, Khardung La is 39.7 km from Leh. It doesn’t have an airport, so you’ll need to fly to Leh before taking a taxi to get to Khardung La Pass.

Read Also: Best Time to Visit Leh Ladakh

Here Are a Few More Routes From Leh to Khardung La Pass:

Using a bike or cab to get to Khardung La from Leh is strongly recommended. You will arrive at the location by car in one hour and twenty-three minutes. And, if you ride a bike then you will get to the pass in one hour and fifteen minutes
There is a daily bus service from Leh to Nubra Valley, which travels via Khardung La Pass.

Vehicle Entry Hours of Leh to Khardung LA:

Opening hours: Starting from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Exist hours: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Conditions of the Road to Khardung La Pass:

The trip from Leh to Khardung La is 39 km long.
It’s a pretty smooth first 25 km until you reach the South Pullu Checkpoints. The road is generally in decent shape, though there may be a few rough spots.
After the South Pullu Checkpoint, the route gets worse to the peak. It is made up of landslides, shattered rocks, melted snow, etc.
As one approaches the Nubra Valley, the road deteriorates significantly until one reaches the North Pullu Post. Things start to improve when you pass the post.

The Best Time to Visit

The best times to visit the Mountain Pass are mostly from March to May and from September to October.

March-May(summer): There is a lot of sunshine in this area, and summer time temperatures stay around 21°C. The temperature drops significantly to 7°C or below at night. This makes the night comparatively colder than during the day.

June-August(Spring): Due to the constant rain in June and August, Khardung La is unreachable.

January-February: Winter is even more difficult because of the area’s frequent, heavy snowfall. During winter the temperature may fall to minus 30 degrees.

Necessary Tips:

Adaptation: From Leh, one travels to Khardung La Pass. The altitude is very elevated. It’s important to give your body time to adjust before climbing the pass. So, spend a couple of days staying in Leh first. This helps your body adjust to the high altitude and thin air. Try to avoid overexerting yourself physically at first to reduce your chance of altitude sickness.

Layered Clothes: Temperature swings occur every day at high mounds, causing the weather to change rapidly. Adding layers of clothing makes it simple to modify your attire according to the weather.

Physical fitness: Along the route to Khardung La, there are challenging road conditions as well as steep climbs and descents. Make sure you are in good enough physical condition to enjoy this holiday. If you are worried about your level of fitness or if you have any pre-existing medical concerns, see a doctor.

Altitude Illness: Symptoms of altitude sickness can include fatigue, headache, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Take note of these signs with caution. If you have only mild symptoms, however, take it slowly and give your body some time to acclimatise. But if symptoms appear or worsen, immediately drop to a lower altitude and get help from medical professionals.

Respecting local culture: Consider the environment, dress sensibly, avoid polluting, and show respect for the way of life in the area. Leave the area as you found it to preserve its natural beauty.

Things you Should Carry To Khardung La Pass:

Medical Kit
Water
Pain killer
Medicines and medical kit
Proper shoes
Large Containers of Fuel
Food packages
Sunscreen lotion
Sunglasses
Proper woollen clothing
Raincoats
Portable oxygen cylinders, etc.

Necessary Information:

Medical Facilities: The area itself lacks pharmacies and medical amenities. Travellers in need of medical attention should proceed to the town closest to the Pass. Travellers who experience a medical emergency can visit the SNM hospital, located in Leh.
It’s also a good idea to have a medical kit with you that includes aspirin, Diamox, or Disprin Dexamethasone, along with other essential drugs to prevent sickness.
Mobile Connectivity: You can only use postpaid connections in the area. Only MTNL and BSNL are reliable network providers in this area. They have the most comprehensive coverage, followed by Airtel.
Petrol Pumps: Leh has a functional petrol pump. Furthermore, in the breathtaking region of Diskit, there’s a manually powered petrol pump.
ATMs: There aren’t any ATMs in the area. Still, there are plenty of ATMs in Leh that visitors can utilise.

Conclusion

So, now you have an idea about how you can reach Khardung La and many more necessary tips and information. The journey from Leh to Khardung La Pass is a breathtaking experience that leaves you feeling accomplished and with breathtaking sights. Even though there may be difficulties on the road, taking the right medication, making the required adjustments, and following safety procedures will guarantee a secure journey. Prepare yourself, witness the breathtaking view, and create lifelong memories at the Khardung La Pass entry to the alluring Nubra Valley on the Himalayan stage.

FAQs:

Q. How Do You Go to Khardung La Pass?

You can go by road to Khardung La from Leh. The Nubra Valley road takes you 39 km to get there from Leh.

Q. What is the best way to travel from Leh to Khardung La?

The best way to go from Leh to Khardung La is by shared jeep or taxi. There are no direct buses to Khardung La and no stops for buses heading to Nubra Valley at the pass.

Q. What Is The Best Time to Visit Khardung La Pass?

The best times to visit the Mountain Pass are mostly from March to May and from September to October.

Q. What Is a Pass? Why is Ladakh Called The Land of Passes?

A pass is a low point or opening in a ridge or mountain range that permits passage between two sides.

The northern Indian region of Ladakh is referred to as the “land of passes” due to the number of high mountain passes that exist there. These routes are essential for travelling, military operations etc.