Nomad Saikat
Ladakh located at the northernmost part of India is known for its rugged terrain and breathtaking beauty. Another thing that Ladakh is also known for are the multiple passes there. No wonder it is popular as the Land of High Passes. As a destination Ladakh has a lot to offer to its visitors and that is the reason why it is a destination that the tourists love exploring too. One such interesting location to explore in Ladakh is the Chang La Pass. It is one of the highest motorable passes in the world located at a breathtaking altitude. From the landscape, to the journey to the majestic beauty this site is an all rounder. It can be extremely exciting to visit a location like this.
So if you are ever visiting this location and if you wish to enjoy some thrill in life this can be the ideal location for you. You must try to visit Chang La Pass once and you would get a fairly good idea on how beautiful the rustic rugged mountainous stretch can be. So keep on reading this article as I will mention every single thing that you probably need to know about Chang La Pass. This is going to be a helpful read for you if you are planning a trip to this mesmerizing spot any time soon.
Chang La Pass
Chang La Pass in which state?
At present Chang La Pass is located in Ladakh which is the Union Territory of India. Prior to that, this region was a part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Overview of Chang La Pass
Chang La Pass located in Ladakh is one of the most picturesque locations that you can visit in Ladakh. The altitude of Chang La Pass is 17, 590 feet or 5360 meters and it is the third highest motorable pass in the world. Journey to Chang La Pass can be one of the most thrilling yet rewarding trips for any traveler. It is not like any other location, but is a very strenuous route as well. Chang La Pass is also a part of the ancient Silk Route and is a 15 km long route itself. The Indian Army maintains this pass unlike other passes in India after the border disputes with China. Chang La Pass connects India with Tibet and the tourists trying to reach the Pangong Tso Lake takes this pass. This pass is also the connection between Leh in Ladakh and the Nubra Valley.
For every traveler seeking some adventure it will be a breathtakingly beautiful journey. With pristine views of snow capped mountains and rugged landscape this one is a much crucial route. This pass is in between Leh and Pangong Lake and is also the main gateway to Nubra Valley Region. Roads on this route are mostly paved and open for tourists from mid May to the month of October. Among bikers also this is a thrilling route to explore but it would undeniably require a lot of skill to drive through a route like this.
What’s more?
Due to the Chang La Pass elevation travelers may experience symptoms of altitude sickness. It is highly necessary to acclimatize well and every precaution should be taken for that. In case of breathlessness and uneasiness the journey should stop immediately. Also according to doctors you should not stay at the location for more than 15 to 20 minutes to avoid altitude sickness. Most of the time of the year the location remains covered in snow.
How to Reach Chang La Pass
In Ladakh the Chang La Pass connects Shyok Valley to Leh. It is located on the road to reach the Pangong Tso and it is open for travelers and vehicles. Most convenient form of transport would be to reach by a jeep or a bike here. You can easily rent a bike from Ladakh or hire a jeep from there as well. It can be one of the most beautiful journeys ever to stop at various checkpoints and enjoy the serene location. Also you can trek to reach Chang La Pass. So if you want to try that you can try to trek.
Best time to visit Chang La Pass
Chang La Pass temperature in winter is harsh and drops down to even -15 degrees. Most of the time the roads are covered in snow and therefore it makes it impossible for any person to reach there during that time. Chang La Pass weather is comfortable for a visit from the months of May to October. The pass also remains open during that time period only. However even then temperatures are on the lower sides. So make sure you are carrying enough warm wear and also cover your head and ears.
Things to remember before visiting Chang La Pass
This is a sensitive zone because of its proximity to China and therefore an Inner Line Permit is necessary to visit this region. However it is not very tough to get the permit. You can apply online from the official website or you can also visit the DC Office in Leh to get this permit.
Due to very high altitude, acute mountain sickness is very common in this region. A lot of people complain of health issues due to the altitude here. So you must be careful about that. At any point of your journey if you feel out of breath take necessary actions. Also do carry necessary medicines along with you as well.
Before going forward with this journey you must get yourself a proper medical check up to know if you are fully fit for this journey. For people with breathing troubles like Asthma or with Bronchitis and any sort of heart ailments are advised to take proper guidance from their physician to know if they can visit a location with such high altitude.
If you are travelling on a bike you must be extra cautious. The road often gets too slippery due to the streams of water from melting snow. So you should be extra careful.
Tourist attractions near Chang La Pass
Chang La Baba Temple
This is a temple located on the top of the pass and holds some relevance too. According to popular beliefs there was once a saint named Changla Baba and the temple is dedicated to him. People here believe that one must seek blessings from Changla Baba here before starting off with their journey.
Tangste Village
This is a serene village located 38 km away from the pass. It is a small village with only 126 households. Even though there isn’t much to see here, you can definitely visit here to witness the greenery along with the Harong Stream here.
Pangong Tso Lake
To reach this lake you need to go via the Chang La Pass so you can surely visit this spot too. This lake is located at a height of 14270 feet above sea level. During the winter the lake completely freezes and during summer it looks pristine.
Hemis Gompa
This is a Tibetan Monastery that the king of Ladakh, Sengge Namgyal, reestablished in 1672. This is a beautiful looking monastery located 48 km away from the pass. So you can visit here too.
Stakna Monastery
This monastery is located 53 km away from the pass, also popular as the Tiger’s Nose Monastery. The shape of the monastery looks like a tiger leaping up to the sky because of which it got its name. One of the major attractions here is the tall 7 feet statue of Lord Buddha. Also there is a massive assembly hall inside the monastery as well.
Thiksey Monastery
This monastery is one of the most popular and one of the largest monasteries that you can visit in Ladakh. It resembles a lot like the Potala Palace in Tibet. Some of the major attractions in the monastery are Maitreya Buddha Statue, Lamokhang Temple and Tara Temple. This is one of the most visited locations in Ladakh as well. The monastery is located at an alluring height of 3600 meters. So you can surely plan to make a visit to this monastery.
Wrapping Up!
Locations like Chang La Pass call for some thrill and adventure for sure and if you are an adventure lover then you cannot miss out on visiting this location. Even more than the location itself the journey to reach there would be something that you are surely going to enjoy a lot. So if you are looking for an adventurous spot that would offer you a lot of excitement you should consider visiting the pass. The alluring location with mesmerising view and the rugged landscape will totally take your heart away in every possible ways. So do not be late and start planning a trip now. And let me know if this particular article is helpful for you in planning a trip to this beautiful location.
