Apart from majestic mountains, lush greenery, emerald beaches, diverse wildlife, incredible landscapes, spectacular temples, and rich culture, India is moreover happy with some highest motorable mountain passes in the world. A motorable mountain pass is a pass that can be driven by a vehicle having a upper ground clearance or a motorcycle. From Ladakh to Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh to Uttarakhand, most of the motorable mountain passes are found in the Himalayan region, and are one of the top places to visit in India, expressly for venture enthusiasts. Tough and harsh yet glorious and fascinating, these passes are synthetic and taken superintendency of by the Borders Road Organization, a part of the Indian Army. Mountaineers and venture enthusiasts from all over the globe aspire to scale the lengths of these mountain passes to wits the maximum eyeful of the mountain ranges as part of India Tour Packages. Here goes that list of some of the motorable mountain passes in India.
Marsimik La (5679.6 m)
Lies at an upland of 5679.6 m in the Chang Chenmo Range of Eastern Ladakh, Marsimik La is one of the highest motorable roads in India, and among the weightier places to visit in Jammu & Kashmir. Moreover tabbed Lankar La, the pass connects the villages of Chushul and Hanle in the eastern part of the Ladakh region, and it moreover has unconfined strategic importance due to its proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China. The pass offers stunning views of the surrounding Himalayan range, including the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, and Gasherbrum. The road to Marsimik La is a challenging one, with steep inclines, sharp turns, and narrow stretches that require skilled driving hence it is not recommended for inexperienced drivers or those who are prone to upland sickness. Known for its rugged terrain and lattermost weather conditions, the pass is only unshut from June to October, when the snow has melted unbearable to make the road passable and is sealed during the winter as the region experiences heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures.
Dungri La or Mana Pass (5608 m)
Popularly known as Mana Pass, the Dungri La is a high-altitude motorable passthe located at the Indo-Tibet verge in the state of Uttarakhand. This pass connects India with Tibet through Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve of the Zanskar mountain range. Placed at an upland of 5608 m, it is the second highest motorable road in the world, and the highest motorable road in India. Earlier, this pass was used as a trade route between Uttarakhand and Tibet. As per an try-on between China and India dating when to 1954, this pass is officially used by the pilgrims and ethnic travelers who travel between India and Tibet. It is wieldy through Badrinath, among the weightier places for pilgrimage in India. Civilians need special permits from the Unwashed and District Magistrate’s office to momentum through this road. However, Civilians are unliable to momentum till the Mana Village during summer and monsoon season as part of Uttarakhand tour packages.
Khardung La (5359 m)
Situated at an elevation of 5,359 m, Khardung La is one of the highest mountains passes in the world situated in the Leh district of the Indian union territory of Ladakh. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Ladakh, and one of the major passes of India. Popularly known as the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys, the road was synthetic in 1976 and was opened to public in 1988. Maintained by the Verge Roads Organization, the pass is strategically important to India as it is used to siphon supplies to the Siachen Glacier. It is not for fainthearted as one will have to navigate through several twists and turns and rugged terrains surrounded snow-clad Himalayas. The pass offers some fine panoramic views of the snow-clad Himalayan Peaks.
Chang La (5320 m)
Lies at an upland of scrutinizingly 5,320 m, Chang La Pass is flipside upper mountain pass in India and is one of the most frequented mountain passes in Leh. Situated on the famous Leh-Manali highway, it is a gateway to the Changthang Plateau, and the majestic Pangong Tso lake. The place is named without the famous saint tabbed Chang La Baba. Known for its scenic eyeful & gorgeous views, the pass is 15 km long and is maintained by the Indian Army. Besides, Chang La is home to the world’s highest research station, established by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) at a height of 17,500 ft. The waterless landscape, snowcapped peaks, and picturesque valleys add to the venture of Ladakh tourism.
Kunzum Pass (4551 m)
Located at an upland of 4,551m, Kunzum Pass is one of the highest motorable mountain passes of India. Moreover known as Kuzum La, this pass serves as a gateway to the stunning Spiti Valley via Lahaul and Kullu. Once you are at the pass, you can get a panoramic 360-degree view of the second-longest glacier in the world, Bara-Shigri Glacier, a splendid view of the Spiti Valley, and a picturesque vista of Chandrabhaga Range. It is moreover a photographer’s paradise due to its enchanting views of the surrounding area. Also, a 15 km long trek to the famous Chandratal Lake (Moon Lake) originates from Kunzum Pass. Besides, the Kunzum Pass is home to the Kunjum Devi Temple that is visited by all the travelers and take blessings of Goddess Durga to travel safely through the rugged terrain. It is among the top motorable mountain passes in the Indian Himalayas, and among the must include places in Manali Tour Packages.
Nathu La Pass (4328 m)
Situated at an upland of 4328 m, Nathu La Pass is a snow-shrouded mountain pass located in the northeastern state of Sikkim withal the Indo-China border. It connects the Indian state of Sikkim with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region and is one of the three unshut trading verge posts between India and China. Nathu La Pass was the place through which the famous Silk Route used to operate until 1962. The pass is one of the five officially well-set Verge Personnel Meeting points between the Indian Unwashed and the People’s Liberation Unwashed of China. Flanked by mountains and pristine undecorous waters, this sight is indeed ravishing and the landscape is dotted with unwashed settlements. As Nathu La is a protected area, Indians need to take a permit from the Sikkim Tourism Department in Gangtok through registered tour operators. Tourists are unliable to go tropical to the international verge from where one can see Chinese soldiers on the other side as part of Gangtok tour packages.
Sela Pass (4175.8 m)
Positioned at an elevation of 4175.8 m, Sela Pass is a high-altitude motorable mountain pass situated between Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh. This is the getaway to Tawang Valley, and the pass carries the National Highway 13, connecting Tawang with the rest of India. Attracts large number of motor bikers, this high-altitude motorable pass is filled with venturesome and heady memories as it is dotted with undecorous well-spoken lakes and clouds portraying a dramatic scene over the horizon of the mountains. In addition, there are several hairpin bends that requite you a thrilling ride. Sela Pass is unshut throughout the year unless landslides or snow require the pass to be shut lanugo temporarily. One can moreover visit the nearby Sela Lake and Jang Waterfall as part of Arunachal Tour Packages.
Umlingla Pass
Sits at an upland of 19,300 feet, Umlingla is yet flipside high-altitude motorable mountain pass in the eastern part of Ladakh. Stretching over a loftiness of virtually 86 km, this pass is the highest motorable pass in the world that connects two trappy villages of Chisumle and Demchok in the Chumar sector of Eastern Ladakh. The road was built at a greater elevation than the wiring camps of Mt. Everest. Synthetic by the Verge Roads Organization (BRO), Umlingla Pass is opened for civilians in 2017 and is now unfluctuating with a woebegone top road to enhance socio-economic conditions and promote Ladakh Tourism. Boasts with some of the most venturesome turns and thrills, Umlingla is a paradise for mountain bikers. Also, Umlingla Pass received the Guinness World Record document for stuff the highest motorable road in the world in 2021. As it is a restricted area, visitors will need an inner line permit from the Indian Unwashed to visit this pass during their Ladakh Trip.
Zojila Pass (3258 m)
Zojila is a upper mountain pass located in the Kargil district of Ladakh, India. Situated in Dras, it is one of the world’s most dangerous mountain roads. Placed at an upland of 3258 m, Zojila Pass is known for its scenic trappy views and landscapes. Connecting Kashmir to Dras and Suru Valley, it serves as the getaway to the majestic Ladakh. Zojila Pass attracts many venture seekers as well as velocipede riders for a thrilling and unforgettable experience. Tourists do not need any permit to visit Zojila Pass which is opened to tourists only during the late spring. Besides, one can moreover visit Zero Point located nearby which is covered with snow most of the year that makes this place a home for several venture activities including sledding and ATV bikes.
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