How to drive the wild paved road to Yongko La?

How to drive the wild paved road to Yongko La?

Bhutan, asia

Length

256 km

Elevation

1,760 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for Yongko La! This beast of a pass clocks in at a cool 1,760m (5,774ft) in Bhutan's Mongar District.

This route, also known as the Bumthang-Ura Highway (PNH1), was carved out back in the 90s. Get ready for a wild ride! The pavement can be pretty rough, sometimes giving way to gravel, and the road gets seriously steep. We're talking thousands of curves, including hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. Some sections are incredibly narrow, so keep your eyes peeled!

Stretching 256km (159 miles) from Chamkhar to Trashigang, prepare for jaw-dropping scenery. You'll wind through thick forests teeming with Rhododendron trees, chattering monkeys, and other crazy exotic wildlife. Plus, the prayer flags draped along the roadside add a magical touch.

Nestled high in the Black Mountains near Phrumsengla National Park, Yongko La can get hit hard by winter snow, closing it down for a day or two. Strangely, by April and May, the snow is usually gone. Be warned that the summit is often shrouded in mist, adding an extra layer of mystique to your journey.

Where is it?

How to drive the wild paved road to Yongko La? is located in Bhutan (asia). Coordinates: 27.4660, 90.3105

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Bhutan
Continent
asia
Length
256 km
Max Elevation
1,760 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
27.4660, 90.3105

Related Roads in asia

What is the history of the Darvaza Gas Crater?hard

What is the history of the Darvaza Gas Crater?

🌍 Turkmenistan

Okay, picture this: You're smack-dab in Turkmenistan's Ahal Province, surrounded by the endless Karakum Desert. You're not just seeing sand; you're heading toward the infamous "Door to Hell." This isn't your average tourist trap; it's a fiery crater that's been blazing non-stop for over half a century. Getting there is an adventure in itself. You'll be cruising about 7 kilometers (4.35 miles) off the main highway near Derweze. Don't expect a smooth ride, though. This isn't a paved paradise; it's all soft, shifting sand dunes. You're going to need a 4x4 and some serious sand-driving skills. Trust me, getting stuck out here is no joke. So how did this flaming spectacle come to be? Back in '71, some Soviet geologists were drilling for gas when the ground gave way, creating this massive crater. To prevent toxic gas from spreading, they lit it up, thinking it would burn out in a few weeks. Well, fast forward over 50 years, and it's still raging! Heads up: the Turkmen government has put up a fence around the perimeter because the edges are unstable. There are no facilities here; it's just raw desert. That means you're packing in everything you need – water, food, extra fuel. Most people camp out in the dunes or stay in yurts that nomadic camps have popped up. This place is the real deal; it's you, the wind, and the roaring fire. But seriously, check the weather before you go. Sandstorms can roll in, and you don't want to be caught unprepared. The "Door to Hell" demands respect, so come prepared and be ready for an out-of-this-world experience.

How’s the Jumla Airport?extreme

How’s the Jumla Airport?

🇳🇵 Nepal

Okay, picture this: Jumla Airport, perched way up in the Himalayas at a breezy 7,700 feet! This little domestic airport is your gateway to exploring Nepal, with regular flights hopping to places like Kathmandu and Nepalgunj. The runway is a modest 2,198 feet long—nothing fancy, and definitely no late-night landings since there are no lights. Heads up: the airport's seen a bit of rough history, including a crash back in '08. But, it's a lifeline for the surrounding area, especially nearby Jumla, boosting trade and travel. Now, about getting there by land… get ready for the Karnali Highway! It's mostly paved, but throws in some gravel sections to keep things interesting as it snakes through the high mountains along the Karnali River. This road was finally finished in 2018! This isn't your average Sunday drive. It's a "challenging" road, to put it mildly. Think narrow bits, landslides, rocks, river crossings, potholes galore, huge drop-offs, and super steep cliffs, all coated in a thick layer of dust. Buckle up for a seriously bumpy ride! Clocking in at 144 miles, this road stretches northwest from Kohalpur to Jumla. Basically, you'll be hugging the Karnali River the entire way.

Bamtso La: Driving to the 5,465m military frontier of Sikkim and Tibethard

Bamtso La: Driving to the 5,465m military frontier of Sikkim and Tibet

🇮🇳 India

Straddling the India-China border, Bamtso La Pass is an insane mountain road soaring to 5,465m (17,929ft)! Tucked beneath the Kangchengyao range, this spot is one of the highest places *ever* you can drive. Think North Sikkim in India connected to Kamba County in Tibet. Seriously high, and seriously cool. But heads up, this isn’t just some scenic route; it’s a high-security military zone. Picture this: you, at these GPS coordinates (28.077870, 88.708760), surrounded by military outposts. The summit’s buzzing with activity, and the air is thick with isolation. Guarded 'cause it's north of the famous Gurudongmar Lake, the road’s mainly for army supply runs. The adventure starts from the tiny village of Bamzey. The road snakes for about 36 km (22 miles), all unpaved. The incline averages only about 5%, but the altitude climb is a whopping 1,683 meters. As you rise towards that insane summit, oxygen gets scarce. Even beefy 4x4s struggle in the thin air. The road itself is about as raw as it gets, a military track at the mercy of the Himalayas. Expect extreme temps, even freezing in summer! The wind’s relentless, whipping up dust storms or whiteouts in seconds. Don't expect any help: no medical aid, no electricity, nada. You absolutely need to be self-sufficient. Access is super restricted because of the whole India-China thing. Coming from India (North Sikkim), you'll need a special permit from the Indian Army and local police/government, which they basically hand out if you're extremely lucky. Seriously, unauthorized travel gets you detained by border patrols ASAP. If you manage to snag a permit, prep is everything. Bring oxygen tanks; altitude sickness is a real threat. Your ride needs heavy-duty tires, extra fuel, and winter gear. Bamtso La isn’t just a drive; it’s an expedition to a remote frontier where the road stops, and pure wilderness takes over.

Dare to drive the dangerous Chattarga La roadextreme

Dare to drive the dangerous Chattarga La road

🇮🇳 India

Chattarga La in Jammu and Kashmir, India, sits way up high at 3,045m (9,990ft). Forget your sports car - you'll need a motorcycle or high-clearance vehicle for this unpaved adventure. This is the wild Basholi-Bhaderwah road, and trust me, it's not for beginners. Prepare for some serious drop-offs! The first part of the 164 km (101 mile) journey from Basholi to Bani is paved, but after Bani, things get rough, turning into a rugged trail after Sarthal. Plan for at least 6 hours behind the wheel. This route is closed from December to April due to snow, so plan accordingly. Seriously, this isn't for the faint of heart. One wrong move, and... well, you get the picture. Starting from Bhaderwah, you'll climb over 25 km with an average gradient of 5%, hitting a maximum of 13.6% in places. And if heights aren't your thing, maybe just stare straight ahead! Despite the challenges (we're talking landslides and countless twists and turns that pretty much demand 4WD), the scenery is unreal. One crucial tip: there are no fuel stations along the way, so fuel up beforehand! And if you're a hiking fan, keep an eye out for treks to Seven Falls and Kailash Kund.