Ride to World's Highest Motorable Pass Khardung La

Woke up early morning, we all were very excited and it seemed finally the day I had been waiting for , one of the number of our bucket list was about to be fulfilled today and its our last destination in this trip. It was the day, the ultimate drive up the Khardungla pass, known to be the world’s highest motorable pass.

 As usual decided to start the trip by 8AM and Finally we managed to move out by 10.00 am and we start our journey towards South Pullu where we were requested to submit our inner line permit to Indian Army, The road from “South Pullu” onwards was majorly a dirt track mixed with mud & snow, and to make it further more difficult it was complemented with occasional rivulets of melted snow, it’s the highway to hell!!!!!

As we progressed uphill, the view of hills on all sides emerged more and more spectacular. The snowcapped mountains with clear blue sky was a view to count on.

We crossed lot of landslide prone areas and we were stopped by BRO workers for almost 2 hours while ascending and descending due to land slide, with melting snow hanging on head. The water on road had increased drastically and it was really difficult to ride with a stable pace.

We drove to khardung la which is around 40 kms from leh. The road was smooth in the beginning and the climb is also not very steep. But later in the last 5 – 8 kms, the road turns very bad and broken with snow all over.

As we pass the road up, we pass thru some funny signage cautioning drivers about the lurking danger while driving.

“  Be Gentle on my Curves”;

“ On my curves check your nerves”;

“ Feel the curves don’t test them”;

 “ Lower your gear curve is near”;

 “ I am curvaceous please slow down”….after seeing the first signage, I was looking out for more and the above list is complete as far as the curves go. 

As we say, great things does not come easy, similarly Day 6 ride proved very tiring and hard on me despite its shortest distance among other days we rode so far. At one point in time I was looking forward eagerly to reach the Pass not out of excitement but just to finish the ride.

Finally we manage to reach Khardung La and believe me, in fraction of seconds I forgot the tiredness I had, and I could feel goose bumps thinking that I was standing at one of the world’s highest vantage points.The place offers a soothing effect of its aura on people. The snow all over and smiling faces of people makes one feel proud. The colorful flags dominantly present in every corners where human being can reach were flourishing in Air and making a smooth noise in ears. The sun was also feeling soft on head now.

There was lot of vehicles and people celebrating their moment of success at the top of the world. It feels great to have reached such heights. There was hardly any valley view or scenery visible from that height as it was all covered with snow & clouds. Few things that still kept that place alive & beautiful were the “colorful Ladakhi Prayer Flags” & continuous support of our Indian Army Jawans with Medical & Canteen facilities. There is a souvenir shop at the K-top selling “KhardungLa” memorabilia.

The feeling of achievement, pride and success made me completely overwhelmed. I was wondering whether I will be able to make to this place ever in my life.

Once I arrived at the Pass, it took me a while to get myself and True photographed next to the signboard which says “Khardung La, 18380ft, Highest Motorable Road in the world” – there were so many tourists around – I could see people from all part of the the world!

The weather at Khardung La can be really tricky – we were there on an absolutely superb day – bright sun shining over our heads and very little chill to worry about. See myself and bhayya relaxing in the glory of sun-rays! 

Don’t you get tricked by this,I would like to remind you that last year, the Army and police rescued more than 400 people trapped at the Khardung La, between South and North Pullu, due to landslides triggered by heavy rains in Ladakh!

Also, once here, do follow the basics – do not stay for long and don’t exert too much in excitement. It can be fatal! Read on the signage below…

 

We missed vikky here. as he was busy enjoying BABA JI KA BOOTI 

You see the above colourful signage? It belongs to the café at the Pass, claiming itself to the highest café of the world; where one can have a much-needed cup of  tea along with some snacks. We had a short photo session at Khardung La. Post photo session, we headed to the restaurant run by military for some food as our stomachs had started starving for lunch break. At such places when it comes food, what else can be other than Maggi. But zeddy wanted to have the snack which will take 30 minutes to prepare and me and bhayya were having breathing problem still he wants to wait and have the snack and make us suffer more. I felt like pushing him from the top of the pass to valley that time . J , The oxygen levels were pretty low, but we were all doing ok ok,

The walls of this café speak about the story of Maggi! A very interesting read…

Maggi Story.... How many of us know about this??? 

 after a short black tea break we started descending and got stuck at high altitude for almost an hour and half due to landslide and BRO workers were fixing the track.

Fixing the track due to land slides

I have never experienced this much tiredness, pain, cold or breathlessness to the extent I experienced that day on the way to Khardung La. We met many people who cycled their way to Khardung La, we cannot understand the level of strain that put on the system

On our way back we visited Ladakh Shanti Stupa, from there you can get full view of beautiful Ladakh Town, and then we came back to the hotel with wonderful memories of visiting yet another extreme place on earth in our trip.