Where is the highest drivable road in the world?
The highest drivable road in the world is the Umling La Pass in Ladakh, India. Located in the eastern Ladakh region near the Indo-China border, Umling La sits at an astounding altitude of 19,024 feet (5,882 meters) above sea level. That’s higher than Mount Everest Base Camp, Higher than Mount Elbrus in Russia and Higher than any civilian airstrip on Earth. The oxygen level drops to nearly 50 percent. So even walking for a few minutes at the pass feels like sprinting up ten floors without a break.
In 2017, the Border Roads Organisation started building this road under Project Himank. It was built for strategic reasons, not for tourism. The purpose was to connect remote villages like Demchok and Chisumle to mainland India. But what was built as a military grade access road is now a playground for hardcore travellers who want to test their limits.
Driving here is a true test of endurance, skill, and vehicle performance. Umling La not only symbolizes India’s engineering prowess but also serves as a vital lifeline for border communities in this extreme environment.
