
Here's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Kaldang Kildang La
India, asia
44.9 km
4,095 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! You HAVE to check out Kaldang-Kildang La in Ladakh, India. This insane mountain pass tops out at a whopping 13,435 feet!
You'll find it chilling south of Shashi La, up in Jammu and Kashmir – seriously, the northernmost part of India.
Now, fair warning: this ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. The entire "Shakar Road" leading up is completely unpaved. Think crazy switchbacks (we're talking hundreds!), nerve-wracking drop-offs, and some seriously steep climbs, hitting a 12% gradient in places.
The whole thing stretches for about 28 miles from Lotsum to Shakardo, running roughly west to east. A 4x4 is your best friend, especially if there's been rain. But hey, the views are absolutely mind-blowing!
Where is it?
Here's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Kaldang Kildang La is located in India (asia). Coordinates: 21.7860, 76.0581
Road Details
- Country
- India
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 44.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,095 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 21.7860, 76.0581
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