On the highest road in the road, temperatures can reach as low as -40C in the winter.

Umling La is the highest paved road and mountain pass in the world. It is located in Ladakh, India, on the ridgeline between Koyul Lungpa and the Indus River.

It forms the source for the Umlung Stream, which drains into the Indus, and a tributary of the Kiungdul River, which drains into Koyul Lungpa.

The Umling La Pass is traversed by a road between Chisumle and Demchok, also called the Umling La Road. In the vicinity of the pass, the road ascends to a height of 5,799 metres, making it the world’s highest drivable road.

It surpassed the record previously held by the 5,777-metre Uturuncu volcano road in Bolivia. It is higher than Mount Everest’s South Base Camp and over half the cruising altitude of commercial jet airlines.

The environment posed severe challenges for construction, with winter temperatures falling to −40C and oxygen levels 50% lower than at sea level. This road is usually impassable from autumn through to the summer, depending on snow.

The area around the pass is an endless expanse of barren terrain, with views of the snow-capped Himalayas. It’s windy, with hard winds coming from two directions at the same time. At the summit, there is a small bar-cafe.

The Border Roads Organisation of India constructed 32 miles of paved road between the villages of Chisumle and Demchok in 2017. It is the only access to Hanle, a remote village in Ladakh, which is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory.

It was built as part of the Indian army’s drive to provide better connectivity and strategic advantage to the Demchok region due to disputes along the border with China.

As it is a sensitive area, visits may be restricted by the Army and due to its close proximity to the Indo-Chinese border, getting permits to access the area can become a problem, requiring permission from Leh DC office.

Tourists can reach the pass by taking a flight to Leh airport and then hiring a taxi or a private car to reach Chisumle village. Visitors are advised to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness, carry warm clothes, food, and water, and keep an eye on the weather forecast.