Khardung La — Leh to Hunder

Khardung La takes you out of Leh on a steady, switchbacked climb through army camps and prayer-flag-strung ridges to a pass at roughly 17,582 feet (5,359 m). Many signs claim higher, but this is the number to trust. The Border Roads Organisation maintains it, and the road alternates between good pavement, broken tarmac, and loose gravel with melt-water running across it. Over the top, the descent drops through Khardung village and the Shyok River gorge into the Nubra Valley. You finish in Hunder, with its double-humped Bactrian camels and sand dunes at 10,000 feet. It’s a long day, and altitude is the real challenge here, not the terrain.

Difficulty is moderate, mostly because of thin air and weather. Acclimatize in Leh for at least two or three days before attempting it, and don’t linger at the summit. A high-clearance 4WD or capable SUV is the sensible choice. Landslides, snow, and stream crossings can close or slow the road, so check conditions with Leh locals before you roll. Carry spare fuel, water, and warm layers, since there’s nothing on the climb itself. Foreign travelers and Indian citizens alike need an Inner Line or Protected Area Permit for Nubra, arranged through the Leh district office or online. Best season is June through September. Camp only at designated guesthouses and camps in Nubra, not on the pass. Have a dirty day.