Umling La Pass is a must-visit if you’re planning on a bike ride in Ladakh. Located at an elevation of 19,300 feet, it is recognized as World’s highest motorable road. Located at such a high altitude, incidentally, the road is at a higher altitude than the North and South base camps of Mount Everest.
Spanning over 86 kilometers, the Umling La Pass connects the picturesque hamlets of Chisumle and Demchok, both of which are found on the Indo-China border. The Umling La Pass also serves as a place to appreciate the beauty of nature, with its little to less vegetation, rocky roads, and huge stretches of snow-covered roads.
Location of the Umling La Pass
If you try to reach the destination using google maps you will be disappointed, as the Umling La Pass as it is not yet present on google maps. However, According to credible sources, the nearly 86-kilometer-long Umling La Pass connects the settlements of Chisumle and Demchok. In the eastern sector, both of these villages are located near the Indo-China border.
How To Reach Umling La Pass
From various locations in Ladakh, there are two major routes leading to the Umling La Pass. The first route begins in Leh and concludes in Hanle, covering 275 kilometers over the course of 9 to 10 hours. Alternatively, you can take the 176-kilometer road from Pangong Tso Lake to Hanle, which can take between four and five hours. The Umling La Pass is around 105 kilometres from Hanle and takes up to 2.5 to 3 hours to reach by bike or jeep.
Why you must visit Umling La Pass?
The landscape surrounding the Umling La Pass is completely desolate, with no sign of humanity. You can feel the wind smacking your face from both directions as you travel through the pass. The views on the way to and from the Umling La Pass will keep you on your toes at all times. Of course, deciding to travel via this pass is no easy task. The pass is as dangerous as it is magnificent. You will feel an unbelievable adrenaline rush while your heart beats rapidly. If you can conquer all of these fears, you will have the experience of a lifetime.
Tips to remember when visiting the Umling La pass.
- At an altitude of 19,300ft, the air is exceedingly thin, making even regular breathing quite difficult.
- The Umling La Pass is situated at an altitude of 19,300 feet and is characterized by exceptionally thin air, making AMS (Altitude Mountain Sickness) a common problem. Therefore, it is vital to acclimatize before travelling to the pass.
- It is essential to keep an emergency first aid kit in your bag because medical services may take some time to reach you in case of some mishappening.
- It is recommended to pack enough warm clothes to stay safe from freezing cold temperatures here.
- If you are suffering from respiratory problems or any other kind of heart condition, you should avoid traveling to this pass.
- Keep in mind that specific permits are required in some places. The nearest fueling station is at Karu, which is close to Leh, so stock up on supplies.
Best Time To Visit
The Umling La Pass is best visited between mid-May and October when the weather is clear and the roads leading to the pass are accessible. The entire route to the pass is buried in snow for the remainder of the year, making it difficult and nearly impossible to reach Umling La Pass.
If you are planning your trip to Ladakh to experience the adventure and culture of the beautiful landscape, stay at our heritage hotel in Ladakh, an endearing landmark, historically, aesthetically, and architecturally, overlooking the Indus River.
featured image credits: thehindu.com
