Introduction
It’s a dream of literally every passionate biker to visit Umling La atleast once in this lifetime to experience the joy of riding their vehicle at a gracious height of 19,024 ft. I got a chance to visit Umling La in October ’24, back then it was the highest motorable road of the world. But recently Mig La has recently opened up, which is now the current Highest Motorable Road in the world.
Nonetheless, topic is to discuss what all are the possible ways to visit Umling La to have a fulfilling memorable riding experience. Umling La is located at the Hanle sector, at the south east part of Ladakh at a very remote place. It was constructed by BRO to connect Hanle, Chisumle directly to Demchok which lies few metres away from LAC. Here are the different ways/circuits you can plan to reach Umling La.
Route 1: Conventional Hanle-Nurbula Top-Chisumle Bridge
This is the most common route taken to reach Umling La. 8 out of 10 people take this route and probably this is the shortest one among all the others.
Route : Hanle – Nurbula Dirt Track – Nurbu La Top – Chisumle Bridge – Umling La
Google Map : Nurbula Dirt track, Nurbula Top points are seen, road maps can’t be used
Condition: Hanle-Nurbula Dirt track, complete muddy, one water crossing and good road after Nurbula Top until Umling La
Highlight: Nurbu La(17,421 ft) top is one of the highest passes of the world
Route 2: Hanle – Photi La Pass – Chisumle Bridge
This is second most common and exciting route. We went through this route and came back by Route 1. Not much preferred because Photi La climb is extremely steep, even more steeper than Umling La. This is the only route shown when you check Hanle to Umling La bridge (Chisumle Bridge). Umling La pass exists on Google Map, but route isn’t visible.
Route : Hanle (Take right before monastery on Loma road) – Photi La Pass – Chisumle Bridge – Umling La
Google Map : Hanle to Chisumle Bridge clearly seen, later road isn’t visible
Condition: Entire stretch is good, but Photi La ascent and descent is very steep and challenging.
Highlight: Photi La(18,124 ft) is the seventh highest motorable pass of the world
Route 3: Loma – Dungti – Fukche- Lekeng Yok – Chisumle Bridge
This is another route which doesn’t need to reach Hanle. You bypass Hanle entirely and even during return Hanle can be bypassed with Route 5 (stay has to be planned properly)
Route : Loma Bridge – Dungti – Fukche – Koyul – Lekeng Yok – Chisumle Bridge – Umling La
Google Map : Loma Bridge to Chisumel Bridge clearly visible on maps. Distance is 91 kms till Chisumle Bridge.
Condition: Very bad in few stretches. Very few people and small villages. Very less stay options after Loma
Highlight: One of the remotest routes of Ladakh. Hanle can be skipped easily
Route 4: Loma – Dungti – Demchok – Umling La
This is an adventurous route which takes you to Umling La from the other side. Very adventurous, breathtaking views of Indus valley and road passes very close to China.
Route : Loma Bridge – Dungti – Fukche – Koyul – Demchok – Umling La
Google Map :Loma Bridge to Fukche is visible on maps, Fukche-Demchok-Umling La isnt available
Condition: Very bad in few stretches. Very few people and small villages. Very remote area, Indian Army might be very strict in checking and may not allow sometimes. Demchok is partially in China even today, so its a very high risk zone for tourists
Highlight: One of the remotest routes of Ladakh. Only way to climb Umling La from other side
Route 5: Karzok – Chumur – Hanle
This is another adventurous road of Ladakh circuit from Tso Moriri Lake. Although this is not a direct road to Umling La but to Hanle and then to Umling La with other route
Route : Karzok – Chumur – Salsal La Pass – Hanle
Google Map : Chumur to Hanle on maps, Karzok to Chumur not available
Condition: Road condition is extremely bad. Mostly offroad and very less people in this area. Chumur is extremely close to China, so Army is very active here and might send back sometimes too
Highlight: One of the remotest routes of Ladakh. Great views of Tso Moriri lake all the way
Route 6: Hanle – Likaru – Mig La- Fukche – Umling La
This is an epic journey to explore both highest and second highest motorable roads of the world. Extreme adventure and needs terrible riding skills. As there is no much details available regarding roads, will update once I have
Route : Hanle(Loma road) – Likaru – Mig La – Fukche – Umling La (via route 3 or 4)
Google Map : Likaru, Mig La aren’t been seen even as locations on google map now, have to wait for more updates
Condition: As per latest videos, complete offroading with extreme climb before Mig La
Highlight: Very tough offroading and difficult climb. Road is closed sometimes due to repair work. No idea of any stay, shops or other help.
Conclusion
So this was all about the ways to explore Umling La, the second highest motorable pass of the World. Don’t forget to add this in your next trip to Ladakh and keep trying with all the roads to get the best experience of Ladakh.
