Umling La
Circuit
The world’s highest
motorable pass
This 9-day circuit from Leh covers the full spectrum of Ladakh — the sand dunes of Nubra, the electric blue of Pangong Tso, the remote dark-sky village of Hanle, and the crown jewel: Umling La at 19,300 ft, the highest motorable road on the planet. Around 1,100 km of some of the most extraordinary mountain roads in the world.
Arrive in Leh (3,500m). Full rest day — acclimatization is essential before heading to higher passes. Short walk to Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace in the afternoon if feeling well. Overnight Leh.
Half-day Leh sightseeing by car: Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Magnetic Hill, Pathar Sahib Gurudwara, Hall of Fame. Afternoon visit to Sangam Point where the Indus and Zanskar rivers meet. Overnight Leh.
Cross Khardung La — one of the world’s highest motorable passes — and descend into the Nubra Valley. Visit Disket Monastery. Short camel ride on the sand dunes at Hundar (optional). Overnight Nubra.
Drive to Turtuk, one of the northernmost villages accessible to tourists. Then on to Thang — the last village before the Pakistan border. A completely different culture, Balti people, apricot orchards. Return to Nubra for overnight.
Drive along the Shayok River to Durbuk, then up to Pangong Tso (4,350m). The lake appears suddenly — 134 km long, spanning India and China, shifting between turquoise, blue, and silver as the light changes. Overnight in camp at the lakeside.
Leave the lake and head south through Chushul, Rezang La War Memorial, and over Tsaga La pass into the remote Changthang plateau. Arrive Hanle — one of the darkest sky locations in Asia, home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory. Overnight homestay.
The highlight of the trip. Drive to Umling La, the world’s highest motorable road at 19,300 ft. The landscape is completely barren and Mars-like — almost no vegetation, just rock and sky. Return to Hanle for overnight.
Long drive back to Leh via Nyoma and Chumathang — natural hot springs at Chumathang are a welcome stop. Arrive Leh by evening. Overnight Leh.
Airport transfer. Trip ends.