
Driving the exciting road to the top of Nakee La Pass
India, asia
23 km
4,769 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Nakee La Pass in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India, is calling your name. This high-altitude gem clocks in at a whopping 15,647 feet!
You'll find it along the famed Manali-Leh Highway, nestled between Sarchu and Pang, on the way from Taglang La to Manali. It's the third of five major passes on the Manali-Leh route, so get ready for an epic road trip.
The road is mostly paved, but don't get too comfy! You'll need your wits about you, because the road conditions can be pretty rough and will definitely test your driving skills.
The ascent up the infamous "22 Gata Loops" is a highlight – or lowlight, depending on how you feel about hairpin turns! It’s a 23km climb up from 13,746ft to 15,255ft. Once you're over the pass, prepare for a seriously dry landscape with no water in sight.
Oh, and here's a quirky local legend: they say the pass is haunted by the ghost of a trucker who met a tragic end here. So, tradition says you should leave a cigarette or water offering to appease him! But honestly, most folks just cruise right through without even realizing they've crossed it.
Where is it?
Driving the exciting road to the top of Nakee La Pass is located in India (asia). Coordinates: 24.1044, 78.3378
Road Details
- Country
- India
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 23 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,769 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 24.1044, 78.3378
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