There is no parallel to the adrenaline rush of riding through sharp turns of a valley and inhaling the fresh mountain breeze.
If you are a thrill seeker, then this will interest you.
The Border Roads Organisation has constructed the world’s highest motorable pass 'Umling La' in the Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir.
It passes through Umlingla Top at a height of over 19,300 feet.
Earlier, Khardung La was considered as the world’s highest motorable pass at 5,359 m (17,582 ft), but there have been reports which claim that a well-graded Indian military road at 5,610 metres (18,406 ft) 250 meters west of the 5,545 metres (18,192 ft) Mana Pass on the India-Tibet border also exists.
The Umling La pass has now stolen that title. It was constructed under “Project Himank" of the BRO. It is a mix of smooth road and a dirt trail but a regular four wheeler can easily make it to the top without troubles.
Here are some facts if you plan a trip:
• "La" means pass, so Umling La means Umling pass and its highest point is the Umling La top at 19,300 feet
• Location : It stretches upto 86 km and links the small villages of Chisumle and Demchok, 230km far from Leh in southern Ladakh
• Weather: The temperature remains in minus degrees throughout the year ranging from around minus 10-20 degrees Celsius in summers to minus 40 degrees in winters
• Best time to visit: Visit when the road starts to open in June or just before when it closes in October since there will be less tourists then and also because in peak summer (July and August) the crossing of few nallas on the way would be difficult due to full flow of the Indus river• Preferred Route: Hanle-Photi La-Umlingla. Follow GPS and head straight from Leh to Photi La via Hanle. Hanle is famous for its Observatory and one of the few places in India where you can gaze at the magnificent center of our Milky way galaxy
• Accommodation: The nearest place you can find accommodation is Hanle
Precautions:
- Obtain the required travel permits as certain areas bave restricted access
- Fill your reserves as the nearest filling station is Karu near Leh.
- Habituate yourself to the weather conditions before your visit Umling La or else you will find it difficult and do carry oxygen supplement. There is a real risk of AMS (altitude mountain sickness) and death due to Pulmonary Edema and Cerebral Edema
- Do not take this drive if you have respiratory problems or any type of heart condition. Most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters.
- There is extremely low oxygen for engine combustion. The summit has around 50% less oxygen than at sea level, thus breathing is difficult. You will feel increase in your pulse rate and movement will be more laborious.
- The high elevation, altitude sickness, weather concerns, steep road, and overall inaccessibility make the summit trips dangerous and difficult.
- Don’t stuff your belly too much as eventually, you might feel like vomiting on the circling roads at higher altitudes
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