Leh to Khardung La- A Detailed Travel Guide

Since the distance between Leh and Khardung La Pass is just roughly 39 kilometres, a return trip can be performed in as little as 2-3 hours. The road from Leh to South Pullu is good, but from there to the summit of Khardung La, it's all gravel and slushy trail. The journey to Nubra Valley, on the other hand, can take anywhere between 6 and 8 hours depending on where you are in the valley.

 It is preferable to leave Leh early to avoid the tourist horde. Take the Khardung La path and ask any locals for directions if you get lost. The road will continue to ascend until you reach South Pullu, when your permits will be verified. The ascent will become even steeper beyond South Pullu, and you will soon arrive at Khardung La Pass.

Plaaning a Ladakh Trip Checkout Now: Leh Ladakh Tour Packages

The road from Leh to Khardung La is relatively smooth for the first 25 kilometres until you hit South Pullu. There are some difficult sections throughout the trip, but the most difficult stretch begins 14 kilometres from South Pullu to Khardung Peak. As you near the summit, the road will continue to worsen.

It will be severely damaged in certain areas due to a large amount of slush and water streams created by melting snow. The road will degrade again as you approach Nubra Valley until you approach North Pullu.

Must Read: Manali to Leh Ladakh Highway Guide

The Leh to Khardung La Pass distance is around 39 kilometres. With terrible portions of road, winding roads, and stops in between,

the drive from Leh to Khardung La summit may easily be completed in a couple of hours. Unless you plan to proceed to Nubra valley from there, a round trip with some time spent at the top of the pass will take between 3-4 hours

Planning To Rent a Bike in Ladakh, Checkout: Leh Ladakh Bike Rentals

In order to travel from Leh to Khardung La, you will need to carry an inner line permit. You can apply for authorization either in person or online at the DC office in Leh. Make a lot of photocopies of the permit once you obtain it because you'll have to show one at each checkpoint. Before going on to Khardung La, you must stop, register, and provide a copy of your permission at the checkpoint in South Pullu.

if you wish to visit Nubra Valley as well, you'll need to present a copy of your permit to the North Pullu check post on the other side of Khardung La.

Click Here To Book: Leh Ladakh Bike Tour Packages
                                   Leh Ladakh Family Tour Packages

The months of April to June and September to October are ideal for visiting the Leh to Khardungla pass.

The trip is less perilous during the summer because the roads are dry. The sun is shining brightly, and the temperature is still hovering about 21 degrees Celsius.

Also Read: Delhi to Leh Ladakh by Road Guide

• Clothes

• Jackets

• Warmer

• Shoes

• Camping backpack

• Zip lock pouch and dry sack 

• Medicines 

• Oxygen cylinder

• Sunscreen 

• Sunglasses & hat/cap 

• Toilet paper 

• Snacks 
  
  Must Checkout: Srinagar to Leh Road Trip Guide

The weather at Khardung La, like the rest of the high altitude passes, can only be described as unpredictable. Days in Leh can be quite hot, but once you start climbing up Khardung La, the air will get noticeably cooler. The weather at the summit of the pass is always cold and windy.

 Snow can be found here all year and there is always a chance of snowfall, even in the summer. Despite the fact that Ladakh is a rain shadow region, there was a lot of rain in Khardung La in 2017, resulting in landslides. Tourists were delayed in Nubra Valley for days before being able to return to Leh as a result of this.

You Can Also Book: Manali to Leh Bike Trip Package from Delhi
                                   Leh Ladakh Packages From Delhi

You can find basic medical facilities and amenities in Leh city only. En route from Leh to Khardungla, there are little to no medical facilities, so an extensive first-aid kit is advisable to carry.

Click Here To Book: Leh Ladakh Honeymoon
                                   Romantic Getaway to Leh Ladakh

Your phone will work normally in Leh to Khardungla, regardless of the network you are on, as long as it is a postpaid connection. Your phone may go out of network a few kilometres after you leave town and go towards Khardung La.

You won't be able to connect again until you return to Leh or the Nubra Valley. This is, however, slowly improving.

Planning a Bike Trip in Ladakh, Book Now: Leh Ladakh Bike Trip from Delhi

Snow towards the top of Khardung La usually remains throughout the year, no matter which month you are travelling in. Chances of finding a lot of snow are more towards the opening months of tourist season, in May or early June. As summer arrives, snow starts to melt, and only some remains in the months of July and August. It starts to snow at the top again in the latter half of September.

If you are planning a trip to Ladakh, you can checkout: Leh Ladakh Bike Trip

The cost of driving from Leh to Khardung La and returning back will cost you between INR 2,300 - INR 2,600, depending on the type of vehicle you rent and the distance you want to go from Leh to Khardung La. If you want to include Nubra Valley in your schedule, the fee will go up.

Taking a shared cab from the Leh Bus Station is also an option, and all of them go early in the morning towards Nubra Valley. The fee will be a few hundred dollars per person. The disadvantage of this option is that you will be dropped off at the pass, leaving you to hitchhike or wait for another cab.

You Can also Book: Premium 6 Days Leh Ladakh Sightseeing Tour
                                  Group Trip To Ladakh

If you're taking public transportation, there are a number of buses that drive to Nubra Valley from Leh. You can also take the bus from Nubra Valley to Leh on the way back. The timing, on the other hand, can be a little tricky. Another option is to take a bus from Leh to Khardung La summit and hitchhike the rest of the way.

You will have no trouble catching a transport back home during peak tourist season.

Suggested Read: Delhi to Leh Ladakh Guide

You can rent a bike to get from Leh to Khardungla Pass if you don't want to use a taxi and want to cycle up the mountain on your own. You should anticipate to pay anywhere between INR 800 - INR 2000 per day depending on the sort of bike you rent.

 If you commute by bike, the only thing you need to be certain of is that you have completed all of the necessary documentation. You must register the bike in your own name. Your journey will be interrupted and you will be sent back to Leh if it isn't. You'll have to rent a bike and leave your bike at the hotel if you want to go sightseeing in the area.

Must Read: Mumbai to Ladakh -Travel Guide

Obviously, Cycling in Khardung La is meant for those who enjoy riding and have a lot of stamina and experience. If it is your very first time in Khardung La, then it is certainly going to be a bit of a challenge. Despite the fact that the distance is only 39 kilometres, the climb is rather steep, and the entire journey is uphill.

You'll be huffing and puffing in no time if you combine it with a low oxygen level. You can rent a bicycle in Leh for the trip to Khardung La if you have prior cycling experience. It is only recommended to take part in this if you are comfortable riding a bicycle in both flat and hilly terrain. If you haven't ridden a bicycle for a couple  of months or are merely a casual rider, you won't be able to do it.

You Can Also Book: Leh Ladakh Tour Package from Delhi by Air
                                   Ladakh Tour From Pune