Khardung La to Nubra Valley Circuit
World's highest pass to desert oasis
At 18,379 feet, Khardung La claims the title of world’s highest motorable pass, where military convoys and overlanders share oxygen-starved switchbacks above Leh. The route descends through the Shyok River valley into Nubra’s surprising sand dunes at Hunder, where double-humped Bactrian camels graze against Himalayan peaks. Military checkpoints at Khardung village and South Pullu demand permits and patience, while landslides and rockfall regularly close sections without warning.
This is serious high-altitude driving requiring acclimatization, emergency oxygen, and mechanical reliability. Stock vehicles manage the gravel and broken pavement, but altitude sickness kills engines and people alike. May to September offers the only reliable window, with permits mandatory for the restricted border zone. The payoff: standing on the roof of the world, then camping under desert stars with glacial peaks towering overhead. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 75 mi / 120.7 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 18379 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Leh, Ladakh |
| Land manager | Indian Army Border Roads Organisation |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4WD handle Khardung La, or do I need a built rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can make it, but the engine will suffer at 18,379 ft — naturally aspirated vehicles lose roughly 40% power at this altitude. Turbo diesel rigs handle it better. Mechanical reliability matters far more here than lift or lockers; breakdowns happen in places where help is days away.
When does the route actually open and close each season?
The BRO typically opens Khardung La in late April or May depending on snowpack and closes it by October or November after early snowfall. May through September is the reliable window. Don't plan a shoulder-season run without checking current BRO status — the pass can shut for days after a single storm.
What permits do I need and where do you get them?
You need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Nubra Valley — foreign nationals get it from the DC Office in Leh, Indian nationals can often get it online through the Ladakh government portal. There are military checkpoints at Khardung La and South Pullu where permits are verified; have printed copies, not just a phone screenshot. Permits are issued per person, not per vehicle.
What's the hardest section of the route and what makes it dangerous?
The switchbacks between South Pullu and the Khardung La summit are the crux — narrow shelf road with sheer drops, frequent rockfall, and oncoming military truck traffic that owns the road. Above 16,000 ft the air is thin enough that driver judgment and reaction time genuinely degrade. Take it slow, pull over early for anything coming the other direction, and don't push through if weather is closing in.
Is there anywhere to get fuel between Leh and Nubra Valley?
No fuel stations exist on the pass itself — Leh is your last guaranteed fill-up before the route and Diskit in Nubra Valley has a petrol pump, but supply is inconsistent. Leave Leh with a full tank and carry a jerry can; 120 km at altitude burns more fuel than the same distance at sea level, especially in low range on the switchbacks.
Trail track
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