How long is Photi La?
India, asia
16 km
5,532 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're craving some seriously high-altitude thrills, you HAVE to check out Photi La in southeastern Ladakh, India. This beast clocks in at a staggering 5,532m (18,149ft), making it one of the highest roads you can tackle in the country.
Starting from the historic village of Hanle, you'll be hitting the pavement (mostly!) for about 16km (almost 10 miles) of pure adrenaline. The views? Unreal. You can see the entire Hanle valley spread out beneath you. But don't let the scenery distract you too much, because this road is no joke!
We're talking steep – like, REALLY steep. Some sections crank up to a 15% gradient, with hairpin turns galore. The climb is intense, gaining 1,274 meters from Hanle. You'll definitely want a 4x4 to handle this terrain. Oh, and fair warning, winter makes it impassable.
Word to the wise: pay attention to the signs! This area is restricted, and continuing past the permit zone can land you in hot water with the Indian army. But, if you're prepared and respectful, Photi La will reward you with an unforgettable, high-altitude experience.
Road Details
- Country
- India
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 16 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,532 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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