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Whether you're a die-hard motorhead or just ride for the thrill, you can't ignore that the Himalayas are home to some of the world’s loftiest motorable roads. Right now, Umling La reigns supreme. A soaring 19,024 ft pass, slicing the sky between Chisumle and Demchok. And this stretch holds the record for being the highest motorable road on the planet.
But soon enough, India’s Border Roads Organisation is all set to change it. Meet Mig La! The highest point of the road between Hanle and Fukche, Mig La, will soon be the highest motorable pass in the world. The 65-odd km long road is part of the Border Roads Organisation’s Himank Project, and is one of the most strategic developments in the area.
At a mere 3 km distance from the LAC, this is a project that will significantly impact the defence strategy, as well as be immensely helpful to improve the connection to these remote areas.
What is Project Himank?
Established in August 1985, Project Himank was launched to develop road infrastructure in Ladakh and select regions of Jammu and Kashmir as part of the India–China Border Roads initiative. It also plays a critical role in ensuring year-round access to military bases and outposts near the Siachen Glacier, along the Line of Actual Control, and in areas surrounding Pangong Tso lake.
In the past, Project Himank has played a vital role in supporting the Indian Army during key operations in the region. The project was especially instrumental during Operation Vijay, keeping both the Leh–Manali highway and the Zojila Pass open, thereby ensuring strategic road access to areas near the Line of Control with Pakistan. And with Mig La, LAC will also be way more accessible to the defence forces.
All women team behind Mig La
The soon-to-be highest motorable pass in the world, Mig La also has another feather to add to its cap. At the forefront of this groundbreaking initiative is the five-member All-Woman Border Road Task Force, led by Colonel Ponung Doming from the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers.
As a part of the BRO’s All-Women BRTF, this remarkable team operates at an altitude of over 19,000 feet, enduring year-round temperatures between -50°C and -20°C. These women are not just breaking barriers; they’re making history, proving their strength and skill in one of the toughest terrains on Earth.
Highest motorable pass in the world currently
Standing at an elevation of more than 19,000 feet in Eastern Ladakh, Umling La is more than just a mountain pass; it is the world's highest motorable road. This engineering wonder, which was constructed by the Border Roads Organisation as part of Project Himank, links Demchok and Hanle close to the India-China border, greatly enhancing connectivity in one of the most strategically important and isolated areas of the nation.
With its panoramic views, thin air, and the exhilaration of actually being on top of the world, Umling La provides tourists with a voracious hunger for the extraordinary with a memorable high-altitude trip. But it's not just a bucket-list ride; it holds immense military and logistical importance, reinforcing India’s presence in a sensitive border zone.
Khardung La
Not many years ago, before Umling La opened, Khardung La used to be the highest motorable road in the world, and a holy grail for every petrol head. One of the most exhilarating places you’ll ever visit, this Himalayan pass connects the Indus River valley and the Shyok River valley.
A motorable road through the pass was constructed in 1976 and opened to public vehicles in 1988. Maintained by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the pass holds significant strategic value for India, serving as a crucial supply route to the Siachen Glacier. Its role in facilitating military logistics in this high-altitude region makes it one of the most vital and closely monitored routes in the country.
Chang La
Chang La, one of the world's highest motorable crossings and a key entry point to the eastern frontier, connects Leh to the otherworldly Pangong Tso Lake. It is extremely valuable strategically, allowing military access to advanced areas close to the India-China border and is maintained by the Border Roads Organisation.
It's not all military convoys, though; daring tourists come here for the breathtaking scenery, flying prayer flags, and dreamlike snow-dusted roads. Just be sure to acclimatize before making the climb—Chang La is as breathtaking as it is breathless.
Tanglang La
One of the highest motorable passes on the Leh–Manali route, Tanglang La is situated at an elevation of approximately 17,582 feet and serves as a vital connection between Leh and the More Plains. The pass, which is strategically important and is kept up to date by the Border Roads Organisation, is essential to military connectivity and transportation throughout the area.
For travellers, Tanglang La is a surreal experience. Flanked by rugged Himalayan peaks and wrapped in silence, it offers an unmatched panoramic view that feels like being on the top of the world. If you think you’re an adventurous motorhead, we’re sure you’ve at least once planned to experience the excitement of crossing Tanglang La, despite the hard ascent and the thin air.
Famous Himalayan passes
There are plenty other big names constructed and maintained by the Border Roads Organisation. Bara-Lacha La connecting Lahaul in Himachal to Leh is a famous one. There’s Nathu La in Sikkim, connecting Kalimpong and Gangtok to Chumbi Valley in Tibet. It is one of the biggest attractions in Sikkim, and needs prior permits. And of course, the list of highest motorable roads is incomplete without the best known of them all, Rohtang La. It isn’t the pass of the dead anymore, and with Atal Tunnel, you don’t even need to head towards the pass. But if you’ve been to Rohtang, you know it’s not an experience one should miss!
Kalindi Pass
Now, if you’re looking for the highest motorable pass in the world, it’ll soon be Mig La. But what about the highest pass in India that isn’t motorable?
Kalindi Pass, sitting at a staggering 19,520 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, is one of India’s highest and most challenging trekking routes. It connects Gangotri to Badrinath, bridging two of the holiest sites in Hinduism while cutting through glaciers, crevasses, and dramatic alpine terrain.
This high-altitude pass isn't motorable, which means, it’s earned step by step, breath by breath. Traversing Kalindi is a spiritual and physical journey, often attempted by seasoned trekkers looking to test their endurance in one of the most remote and breathtaking corners of the Indian Himalayas.
So, which of the highest passes are you excited to explore on your next trip?