THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Drive high into the Karakoram foothills on a private day trip from Leh to Khardung La, one of the world’s highest motorable passes. Expect dramatic switchbacks, prayer flags, and high-altitude conditions that reward careful planning.
Drive high into the Karakoram foothills on a private day trip from Leh to Khardung La, one of the world’s highest motorable passes. Expect dramatic switchbacks, prayer flags, and high-altitude conditions that reward careful planning.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Discover Activities · Leh, Ladakh
You leave Leh at dawn and the cold air seems to dare you—thin, bright, and clean—pushing through the car vents as the road climbs. The approach to Khardung La tightens into switchbacks, broad ridgelines scoured by wind, and the pass itself appears as a high, flat shoulder where drivers pause and cameras click.
easy.
4–6 hours.
Minimal fitness required for the ride, but you should be able to walk short distances at high altitude and tolerate sitting for a few hours.
On a good day the drive takes about 1.5–2 hours one-way; plan 4–6 hours roundtrip including stops.
Yes—Khardung La is above 5,300 m. Spend 24–48 hours in Leh before the trip, hydrate, avoid alcohol and tell your driver if you feel unwell.
Facilities are limited; basic stalls may appear near the pass but bring snacks and use hotel facilities in Leh before departure.
Yes—most parties use private cars (up to 5 passengers), but expect uneven surfaces and occasional loose gravel; experienced drivers are recommended.
Khardung La became a strategic caravan route linking Ladakh to Central Asian trade routes; its modern fame grew with motor access and military logistics into Nubra Valley.
This is a fragile high‑altitude environment—pack out all waste, avoid wood fires, and follow local guidance to reduce erosion and litter from increased vehicle traffic.
Discover Activities operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
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