The world’s Highest Motorable Passes or Roads Every Rider Must Ride On!

 

Highest Motorable Road or Pass 

Before going into the details of the world’s highest motorable passes or roads, we must first understand or settle the meaning of “motorable pass or motorable road”. As defined in one of the articles linked below in the reference section, we define “motorable road or pass” as a pass or a road on which:

1. Any average experienced driver can drive or ride any car or bike like a hatchback, SUV, sedan, low powered bike, high power bike, etc.OR;
2. Any average experienced driver can drive or ride an equipped motor vehicle such as only a 4×4 SUV, or an ATB or a hefty power bike, etc. OR;
3. Any greatly expert driver can drive an equipped motor vehicle such as only a 4×4 SUV, or an ATB, etc..;
4. Only army movement is allowed and is closed for civilians but still considered as motorable pass or where anyone, at least local native of that place can drive or ride over it with prior permits or permissions…
5. Whether the road is metalled or tarred or is it an unpaved road or dirt track with rocks on it but in drivable conditions at least for High GC vehicles or bikes or the road is abandoned but once built.

So, you can see that the fact about being the highest motorable road in the world or the highest motorable pass in the world will depend upon, how we define the motorable term.

Umling La or Umlingla Pass

Umling La Pass in Ladakh, at an altitude of 19000 Feet or 5883 Mtrs, became the highest motorable pass in the world dethroning the Mana Pass in Uttarakhand and the road to Uturuncu in Bolivia when BRO opened this road to civilians in 2017.


The route you can take is Hanle to Photi La Pass to Photile Village (57 km). Then follow the route from Photile Village to Umlinga La pass for about 50 km at an altitude of 19300 feet. You will come across two bridges/ water crossings while going to Umlingla Pass from Photile Village. There is another route from Ukdungle village as well, but it is more of a dirt track only except a few kilometers.

It’s certainly breathtaking and it has a fearsome reputation. It still remains an adrenaline-pumping journey and is definitely not for the faint of lungs, heart, or legs. This strategic road has been constructed as a part of the Indian Army‘s drive to provide faster connectivity to the sensitive Demchok zone and assumes great strategic significance in consideration of recent disputes with the Chinese military and advances being made by them along the Indo-Chinese border. Do not travel this road in severe weather conditions. 

Avalanches, heavy snowfalls, and landslides can occur anytime, being extremely dangerous due to frequent patches of ice. In the initial days, when this pass came to public knowledge, a lot of people traveled to it in 2017 and early 2018. But due to its extremely close proximity to the India-China border, access to this area is now severely restricted. Civilians are no longer allowed to travel to the pass.

Dungri La or Mana Pass 

Mana Pass or Dungri La is situated at the border between Tibet and India in the state of Uttarakhand. Civilians, though native to India, with prior permits from the army can travel up there to reach India’s second-highest Motorable road.

Deo Tal is a sacred lake atop Mana Pass, it is considered very holy since this lake is believed to be the origin of the Mythical Saraswati River. You can also see Rajas Tal and Nag Tal before Deo Tal on either side of the road. Deo Tal is just 3 km before Mana Pass Zero Point.

This lake is surrounded by icy peaks and remains frozen all year round except for the month of September. In Sanskrit, the lake stands as 'Lake of The Gods’.

Marsimek La or Marsimik La 

Marsimek La or Marsimik La is situated in Ladakh, India where civilians, though native to India, with prior permits from the army can travel and scale this daunting pass at an altitude of 5,582 Mtrs. Getting a permit to Marsimik La is a little easier in comparison to getting a permit to that highest road Umling La or to Mana Pass or Dungri La road.

The road to Marsimik La bifurcates through Pobrang on the way to Pangong Tso Lake and is about 20 odd KMs from there at a steep climb. People have scaled Marsimik La by their ordinary SUVs (4×2) or average powered bikes in the past.

Located in the Chang-Chemno Range, the road to the summit, also known as Marsimek La, has disastrous conditions and only 4wheel drives are allowed with competent drivers. The road up is partly paved. The mettle road soon turns to dust and then to rubble and this is where you need to be really careful. The track to Marsimek La was built in 1983 under the supervision of Sonam Paljore, an Everest. There is also a small temple called "Chak Mandir" which has a picture of Lord Shiva.

Starting from Pangong Lake, the ascent is 31.04 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 1.290 meters. The average percentage is 4.1 %. The track will challenge you with the steep slopes (towards the last few km), loose soil, and lots of sharp stones and big rocks all around. And with rarified air, your car will run out of breath. Nearing the top of the pass, the roads are even worse as the loose sharp stones give way to larger rocks that will make the ride a nightmare on a two-wheeler. No special military permit is required. However, the Protected Area Permit for foreigners does not include access to the pass so there is no way for anyone who is not an Indian citizen and resident to drive up there.

The road is impassable in winters. If your car is not properly prepared, it will not have enough power to do the climb, and especially considering that the track is very steep and rough. The zone is a hostile, barren land. Make sure you leave enough time to make the journey back down in daylight.

Photi La 

The latest unknown entry into the world’s highest motorable passes or roads is Photi La pass which is situated in the India – Ladakh region at an altitude of 5,524 Mtrs or 18,124 Feet. Photi La is about 30 odd KMs from an amazingly beautiful place on this earth called Hanle that is present in the Changthang region of Ladakh further away from Tso Moriri lake.

Photi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.524m (18,124ft) above sea level, located in south-eastern Ladakh in the eastern Jammu and the Kashmir state of India. It’s one of the highest mountain roads in the country.

The road to the pass is very dusty. It’s called Photi La road and starts in the Hanle village. It’s 30km long. The road offers amazing scenery and the Hanle valley can be seen from. The approach is very steep and almost no road and no soul around with very little oxygen. The road is impassable in winters. Great trail for experienced wheelers. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. The road is a dirt track with the last 5 kilometers being a very steep climb. If you cross the pass and continue further, you will reach Umling La.

4x4 required. Stay away if you're scared of heights. Expect a trail pretty steep. Wet conditions may make for tough driving along the muddy road. The climb is simply terrible, with a notorious lack of oxygen that tests the organisms and a high degree of steepness. Most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters. Near the pass, oxygen is in short supply. Before you get anywhere near the pass, you will see signposts that say that the ILP permit zone ends and you are not allowed to keep going. If you keep going, you may be arrested and prosecuted by the Indian army.

Dongkha La or Donkia La Pass

On number seven, we have Dongkha La or Donkia Pass situated at an altitude of 5,486 Mtrs or 17,999 Feet connecting Sikkim in India with Tibet. This pass is located in North Sikkim having Tso Lhamo Lake or Cholamu Lake (14th Highest lake in the world) very near to it.

Tso Lhamo Lake or Cholamu Lake is considered one of the origins of the Teesta river along with glacial lake Khangchung and Gurudongmar Lake. It lies about 10-12 km (if I am not wrong) away from the Dongkha La or Donkia La Pass. 

Dzongkha La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.533m (18,152ft) above sea level, located in the Sikkim Himalayan region, in the state of Sikkim, India, near the Chinese border. It’s one of the highest mountain roads in the country.

The road to the summit was recently asphalted. Expect extreme temperatures. Due to the high elevations and exposure, the road is subject to strong winds and rapid weather changes. Be prepared for the cold and wind! High winds blow here all year long. The pass, also called Donkia Pass, connects Sikkim in India and Tibet in China. Atop the mountain pass, one can capture the picturesque Tibetan plateau.

Do not take this drive if you have respiratory problems or any type of heart condition. The high elevation with its risk of altitude sickness, weather concerns, steep road grade, and overall inaccessibility make travel dangerous and difficult. The ride is rather remote, so you need to be prepared. You may not find food in proximity here so be well-stocked.In case of a breakdown, there is very little in the way of passing traffic or inhabitants around, and no cell phone service in parts. Located about 4 kilometers from the India-China border, obtaining the permit for it is next to impossible. It regularly gets used by Indian Army vehicles.

Kaksang La

Next, in the list, we have another least known surprise entry by the name “Kaksang La” pass which is situated in the Changthang region of Ladakh at an altitude of 5,438 Mtrs or 17,841 Feet. It comes on the route from Mahe to Nama – Chusul – Pangong Tso when going over Hora La Pass that comes first as you start ascending from Mahe ahead of Chumathang near Tso Moriri.
Kaksang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.436m (17,834ft) above sea level located in Leh District, Jammu, and Kashmir in northern India. It’s one of the highest mountain roads in the country.

The road to the summit, also known as Kakasang La, is called Chushul-Mahe road. It’s a very challenging road. Locals claim the road as ‘hell’. It’s probably the highest mountain pass foreign drivers can reach in the country. You can access it with just the regular Protected Area Pass/ILP. No other permits are required. The high mountain road climbs up several unnamed mountain passes and the scenic Yaye Tso and Mirpal Tso lakes along their way. The track to the summit runs north-south linking the small towns of Chushul and Mahe. Another road links both villages. The other route is via Chushul, Tsaga, Loma, and Nyoma. It starts paved in good conditions but then becomes a mule track near its highest elevation, at 5.436m (17,834ft) above sea level.

The climb is very steep and you really need a 4×4 vehicle for it. Do not travel this road in severe weather conditions. The weather can be extreme and the cold wind hits like a knife. The climb is simply terrible, with a notorious lack of oxygen that tests the organisms and a high degree of steepness. Most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters. Near the pass, oxygen is in short supply. Expect tiny landslides, with rocks lying here and there. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous dropoffs. This completely isolated road is rarely used and hacked into the mountain ranges. It’s 67.5 km long.

Chang La

Changla La is the third highest motorable pass in the world and serves as a gateway to the famous Pangong Tso Lake. The arid landscape, snow-capped peaks, and panoramic views of rolling valleys are the scenic attractions of this place. The site is situated at an altitude of 5,360 m above sea level and tourists can only stop long enough to have a hot cup of tea.

Chang La Pass is located at an altitude of almost 5,360 meters and gets its name after a famous saint called Changla Baba. A temple that stands here is dedicated to him. The pass itself is about 15 kilometers long and is maintained by the Indian Army.

The entire stretch of Chang La Pass is composed of loose dirt & slush on either side and during summers, is cut by small streams across the road, which makes crossing it a challenge for the bikers.

The foremost attraction of Chang La Pass is its breathtaking beauty & the gorgeous views everywhere. There is the Chang La Temple, dedicated to Changla Baba, whose blessings are a must before crossing the pass. There is also a tea point where one can rest & enjoy various snacks. There is also a signpost that tells you that you are in Chang La and is great for clicking photographs beside it.

Khardung La

Famously known as the gateway to the Nubra and Shyok Valleys in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the highest motorable pass in the world. It is filled with tourists crossing over from Leh and stopping long enough to click some photographs. Adventure bikers from all parts of our country and across the world visit this mountain pass on their motorcycles for an adventure-soaked experience. Khardung La Pass is positioned on the Ladakh range, which is 40 km from Leh, at an altitude of 18,379 ft (5602 m).

Thousands of tourists travel every year to this mountain pass, and I assume that it may be one of the most clicked passes in the world for sure with maybe thousands of photographs produced every year by tourists over the Internet who visit Ladakh. Almost, everyone who visits Ladakh, do visit Khardung La pass and gets a picture clicked up there with its signboard.

Almost all kinds of bikes or cars have traveled up there as the ascend to it is not that treacherous as compared to some other even less altitude passes. Do not miss a black tea or tomato soup up there at the Canteen similar to Chang La. You can also get some souvenirs of the world’s highest motorable road.

Taglang La

The second last on the list is Taglang La or Tanglang La pass at an altitude of 5,328 Mtrs or 17,480 Feet which is located in Ladakh, India. It comes on one of the most beautiful & adventurous roads in the world that is Manali – Leh Highway. It is one of my favorite passes in Ladakh.

Like Khardung La, Taglang La is also incorrectly claimed to be the second-highest motorable pass in the world followed by Chang La pass. 

Taglang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.328m (17,480ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

It’s one of the highest mountain roads in the country. On the top, there’s a local sign that incorrectly claims 17,582 feet, which would be 5,359 meters. It’s traversed by the Leh-Manali Highway. The road to the summit is paved. Do not take this drive if you have respiratory problems or any type of heart condition. Oxygen level is half of that at sea level. On ascending the pass from the Moore plains the road is well paved with occasional streams crossing.

During winters, it’s almost impossible to cross this road. Altitude and extreme weather are always a factor. The road is an exciting challenge. If you happen to be scared of heights, you should probably stay away from driving through this pass. It is reasonably easy to drive compared to most of the other roads on the area and is frequented by trucks and buses so you should do just fine in whatever you're driving, oxygen and weather permitting.

Wari La

Wari La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.312m (17,427ft) above sea level, located in the Nubra valley, to the northeast of Ladakh valley, in northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir state. It’s one of the highest mountain roads in the country.

The road to the top is terrible. It’s very steep and the surface is really bad. Starting from Agham there are plenty of steep sections and you will be grinding up in your lowest gear for quite a few hours. The road is impassable in winters. Great trail for experienced wheelers. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. 4x4 required. Stay away if you're scared of heights. Expect a trail pretty steep. Wet conditions may make for tough driving along the muddy road. 

heavy snowfalls and landslides can occur anytime and can sometimes block some sections of the road, being extremely dangerous due to frequent patches of ice. Only some tourist vehicles use the road. Well, there was one, but now it’s no longer there. Only prayer flags mark the pass. The climb is simply terrible, with a notorious lack of oxygen that tests the organisms and a high degree of steepness. Most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters. Near the pass, oxygen is in short supply.

Saser La Pass

A formidable mountain pass in Ladakh, Saser La is a place that must be experienced to be believed. It is an impressive pass and a dangerous one, and crossing it is a thrilling experience that stays on in the memory for a long. The pass connects Ladakh to Yarkand County in China and provides visitors with a breathtaking experience. 

The roads along the pass are very rough and ready and driving across them is not an easy task. The steepness of the pass and the low-oxygen supplies there only add to the challenge. But for those who are able to overcome these obstacles and manage a ride through the pass, the experience is rewarding.

Tucked away in the Karakoram mountain range, the road to the summit, also known as Saser Pass or Sasser Pass, is extreme. It’s a jeepable mud track braving extremely adverse weather conditions. The pass lies on the ancient summer caravan route from Leh in Ladakh to Yarkand in the Tarim Basin. 4x4 vehicle with high clearance required. Accessibility is largely limited to the summer season. Facilities like electricity, medical aid, hot running water, western toilets, etc. are rare to find. 
A new road to the summit called Sasoma–Sasser La Road is being constructed. Built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under Project Himank, it will be the World's first glaciated motorable road. The road will be paved and will start from Sasoma, near the base of Siachen Glacier, going eastwards to Saser La and then descending at Gapsam near Murgo in Depsang plains. 

Road to Uturuncu

The road to Uturuncu above col is situated in Potosi, Bolivia which was used to be considered as the world’s highest motorable road at a staggering altitude of 5,777 Mtrs or 18953 Feet until India opened up Umlingla.

South America's (and likewise the world's) highest rideable road is situated at double-peaked volcano Uturuncu in southwest Bolivia. The roadway leads up to the saddle between the two summits of that mountain and gets to a maximum elevation of 5,768 meters. Until mid of 1990s, there was a sulfur mine on the lower peak at an altitude of some 5,900m which could be accessed via that road. Nowadays the runway is only maintained for touristic purposes by few local guides. There is no other runway on the Bolivian Altiplano, in the Chilean Atacama desert, or even in the Himalayas where cyclists can get higher. 

Ride safe!

There may be many higher motorable roads or passes built up in China / Tibet / Andes like Ojos del Salado (6,646 Mtrs), Aucanquilcha (6,176 Mtrs), the road to Luo La (5,593 Mtrs), Bodpo La (5,767 Mtrs), Jang Rang La (5761 Mtrs), etc.. all mentioned in the articles present in the reference links below.

So, next time you think or say to anyone that you have been to Khardung La, that is the highest motorable pass in the world, then you know how many more passes or roads are still left for you to scale before feeling that you have been to the top in the world by a motor vehicle.