Height elevation road
Here are some striking views of Umling La Pass, the world’s highest motorable pass located in Ladakh, India.
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What’s Special About Umling La?
• Elevation: Umling La is situated at approximately 19,024 feet (5,799 m) above sea level—making it the highest motorable road and pass in the world.  
• Record Holder: It surpassed Bolivia’s Uturuncu volcano road (18,953 ft) when it was built, gaining recognition, including from Guinness World Records as the highest road in the world.  
• Road Details: A 52 km paved road constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) connects the villages of Chisumle and Demchok.  
• Geography: The pass lies on a ridge dividing the Indus River and Koyul Lungpa valley and forms the source of the Umlung stream (flows into Indus) and a tributary to Kiungdul (draining into Koyul Lungpa). 
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Additional Highlights & Context
• Extreme Conditions: Temperatures in winter can plummet to –40 °C, and oxygen levels are nearly 50% lower than at sea level—posing serious risks such as altitude sickness and hypoxia.   
• Adventure & Accessibility: Opened to civilians since 2017, Umling La draws adventure travelers and motorcyclists. Prepare well—routes are rugged, weather is intense, and proper acclimatization is essential.    
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Routes and Visiting Tips
Main Routes to Reach Umling La:
• Chisumle–Demchok: Direct paved route across the pass, constructed by BRO.   
• Via Hanle–Photi La: A preferred route for travelers, starting from Leh and passing through Hanle. Requires a regular permit.   
• Via Ukdungle/Hanle or multiple circuits: Alternate, more rugged options with varying permit requirements and controlled access beyond sensitive border areas.   
Best Visiting Time:
• Ideal months: Between May and September (or June to early October)—when snowfall subsides and roads become more navigable.    
Travel Advisory:
• Mandatory acclimatization is key; altitude-related illnesses are common. 
• Depending on route, special permits (from Leh DM) may be required—especially for border-adjacent areas.   
• Facilities are scarce—bring essentials, spare fuel, food, clothing for extreme cold, and possibly oxygen or first aid.  
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Noteworthy Occasions
• In June 2025, a 10-member Freemason team from Nagpur held a full lodge meeting at Umling La in honor of Universal Brotherhood Day—an extraordinary event given the altitude and extreme conditions.