Khardung La
5,359 m
The pass over the Ladakh range into Nubra.
All routes
The Ladakh circuit
Leh, Nubra & Pangong
Khardung La into the Nubra dunes, the Shyok road to Pangong, and enough acclimatisation built in to enjoy it.
- Distance
- 500 km
- Recommended
- 7 days
- Highest point
- 5,359 m
- Best time
- May–Sep
- Difficulty
- Moderate
The ride
The classic Ladakh loop starts and ends in Leh. Khardung La lifts you over the Ladakh range into the Nubra valley, where sand dunes and Bactrian camels sit beneath snow peaks.
From Nubra the Shyok river road runs east to Pangong Tso, the long blue lake on the edge of the Changthang. The ride back to Leh crosses Chang La, one more pass above 5,000 metres.
Inner Line Permits are needed for Nubra and Pangong; sort them out in Leh before you leave.
Destinations on the way
-
1
Leh
3,500 m · 2 nights
Acclimatise here before the high passes.
-
2
Nubra Valley
3,140 m · 2 nights
Dunes, camels and the Diskit monastery.
-
3
Pangong Tso
4,250 m · 1 night
The long blue lake on the Changthang.
Popular attractions
Diskit Monastery
Hilltop monastery with a giant Maitreya Buddha.
Hunder dunes
Cold-desert sand dunes and Bactrian camels.
Chang La
5,360 m
The pass between Pangong and Leh.