When you think of Ladakh, the breathtaking trans-Himalayan scenery, beautiful lakes, and winding roads immediately come to mind. Among the many high-altitude passes in the region, one, in particular, stands out for all the right reasons: the Umling La Pass. Situated at an elevation of 19,024 feet, it is the highest motorable pass in the world. And guess what? It has reopened for vehicles nearly two months ahead of schedule, thanks to the rapid snow removal efforts by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). In 2021, Umling La Pass earned a Guinness World Record for being the ‘world’s highest motorable road.’ Read on to know more about this.
Umling La Pass remains inaccessible for much of the year, typically closed during the severe winter months due to significant snowfall. Although it usually reopens in early summer, unexpected snowstorms can still disrupt access during warmer weather. Authorities from BRO express optimism that the delayed reopening will draw early visitors to the recently opened Changthang region and facilitate military operations.
BRO took to Twitter to share this update and said, “Border Roads Organisation has thrown open the iconic Umling La Pass, the world’s highest motorable road at 19,024 ft two months ahead of schedule. This provides bikers & tourists a head start into Ladakh. Overcoming extreme altitudes and harsh conditions, the BRO team has once again demonstrated unmatched dedication and engineering brilliance. ”
Border Roads Organisation has thrown open the iconic Umling La Pass—the world’s highest motorable road at 19,024 ft—two months ahead of schedule. This provides #bikers & tourist a head start into Ladakh .
Overcoming extreme altitudes and harsh conditions, the… pic.twitter.com/IicXmMVMao
— 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (@BROindia) April 13, 2025
This announcement is timely, as May through September is recognized as the prime visiting period for Umling La Pass.
What To Know About Umling La Pass
To get to Umling La Pass, the closest airport is in Leh. It’s important to spend at least two days acclimatizing to the altitude before embarking on your journey to the pass. A popular route is Leh – Upshi – Chumathang – Hanle – Photi La – Umling La. The roads on this path are relatively good, and you can enjoy the stunning observatory in Hanle, which offers spectacular stargazing opportunities at night.
Be sure to pack a warm jacket and ensure you have all necessary safety gear before you set out.
