5N/6DLadakhLeh Ladakh Classic
2N Leh · 1N Nubra · 1N Pangong · 1N Leh- Hotels
- Meals
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
Starts from
₹18,900
per person
Khardung La, Leh
The high pass on the road from Leh to Nubra
- Type
- Mountain pass
- Location
- Leh, Ladakh
- Time needed
- 15 to 20 minutes at the top
- Best time to visit
- May to September, when the road is most reliable. The pass is kept open much of the year but can close for a few hours or days after heavy snow.
About Khardung La
Khardung La is the pass between Leh and Nubra Valley, at about 5,360 m. It is one of the highest motorable passes in the world, and for many visitors it is the highest point they will ever reach by road. The pass is usually covered in snow for much of the year, with prayer flags strung across the top.
The road climbs steadily from Leh through the South Pullu checkpost, with wide views back over the Indus valley and the Stok range. The last stretch near the top can be rough and slow, especially after snow. On the other side, the road drops past North Pullu into the Shyok valley and on to Diskit.
There is a small army café and a shop at the top, but this is not a place to linger. The air is very thin, and spending too long can bring on a headache or breathlessness. Most people stop for 15 to 20 minutes, take photos and continue. Bikers and cyclists often ride up from Leh as a challenge.
Things to do at Khardung La
- Take photos at the signboard and prayer flags at the top
- Look back over the Indus valley and the Stok range on the climb
- Have a hot tea at the army café at the top
- Ride up by motorbike or bicycle if you are acclimatised and experienced
How to reach Khardung La
- By road from Leh: about 40 km, about 1.5 to 2 hours by car, on the way to Nubra Valley.
Tips before you go
- Cross Khardung La only after at least two nights in Leh
- Keep your stop at the top short and avoid running or climbing around
- Carry a warm jacket, gloves and a cap, as it can snow even in summer
- Carry the Nubra permit and ID copies, which are checked at the Pullu checkposts
Packages that cover Khardung La
5N/6DLadakhView
6N/7DLadakhLeh Ladakh Explorer with Turtuk
2N Leh · 2N Nubra · 1N Pangong · 1N Leh- Hotels
- Meals
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
Starts from
₹22,900
per person
8N/9DLadakhKashmir and Ladakh Road Trip
2N Srinagar · 1N Kargil · 2N Leh · 1N Nubra · 1N Pangong · 1N Leh- Hotels
- Meals
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
Starts from
₹34,900
per person
Nearby places to visit
Must visit
Town
Leh
Ladakh's main town, with Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa and a busy main bazaar. Your base for the first and last nights, and the place to acclimatise.
Time needed: 2 to 3 days, split between the start and end of the tripRead more →Must visit
Valley · Diskit
Nubra Valley
Reached over Khardung La, Nubra has the Diskit monastery and its giant Maitreya Buddha, and sand dunes with Bactrian camel rides at Hunder.
Time needed: 2 nightsRead more →Must visit
Stupa · Leh
Shanti Stupa
A white Buddhist stupa on a hilltop in Changspa, built by Japanese monks and inaugurated in 1991. Known for sunset views over Leh and the Stok range.
Time needed: 1 hourRead more →Khardung La: FAQs
How long should I stay at Khardung La?
About 15 to 20 minutes is enough. The air is very thin at the top, so take your photos and drive on.
Is Khardung La open all year?
The road is kept open for much of the year, but it can close for some hours or days after heavy snowfall. Check the road status in Leh before you set out, especially outside summer.