How to drive the wild road to Kori La?

How to drive the wild road to Kori La?

Bhutan, asia

Length

256 km

Elevation

2,406 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits! Kori La Pass in Bhutan's Mongar District is calling your name. This baby climbs to 2,406m (7,893ft), so get ready for some serious views.

The Bumthang-Ura Highway (PNH1), built back in the '90s, is your path. Word to the wise: the pavement's seen better days (think rough patches and even some gravel). Plus, it’s a real rollercoaster with steep climbs, hairpin turns galore, and sections so narrow you might want to fold in your mirrors! But trust me, it's mostly a blast to drive, especially with those twisty bits at the start and end.

This 256km (159-mile) stretch connects Chamkhar and Trashigang, and the scenery is unreal. You'll be winding through lush forests, spotting playful monkeys, and hearing the exotic sounds of the jungle. Prayer flags flutter everywhere, adding a touch of magic to the journey.

Keep an eye on the weather! Kori La, nestled in the Black Mountains, sometimes gets snowed in during winter, causing short closures. It's weird, but even at this altitude, the snow often disappears by April or May. And heads up, the summit is usually shrouded in mist, adding to the mystique.

Where is it?

How to drive the wild road to Kori La? is located in Bhutan (asia). Coordinates: 27.2457, 90.3362

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Bhutan
Continent
asia
Length
256 km
Max Elevation
2,406 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
27.2457, 90.3362

Related Roads in asia

Travel guide to the top of Chyangchumi Lahard

Travel guide to the top of Chyangchumi La

🇨🇳 China

Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! Today we're talking about Chyangchumi La, a seriously high-altitude pass straddling the border between China and Nepal. We're talking 5,177 meters (that's nearly 17,000 feet!) of pure, unadulterated mountain air. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about a rugged, unpaved track connecting Mustang District in Nepal to Xigazê in Tibet. It's a Chinese military road, so a high-clearance 4x4 is essential to even attempt this beast. The summit itself is home to a Chinese military outpost. Be aware, access is primarily limited to the summer months. Don't expect any luxuries up here – electricity, medical assistance, or even decent restrooms are basically non-existent. Civilian access is restricted. Oxygen is thin, and the weather can turn on a dime.

Driving the Chapursan Valley Road: A high-frontier journey in Pakistanmoderate

Driving the Chapursan Valley Road: A high-frontier journey in Pakistan

🇵🇰 Pakistan

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're craving a taste of the real, untamed Pakistan, then the Chapursan Valley Road is calling your name. Tucked away in the Gojal region of Gilgit-Baltistan, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a 51km (31 mile) stretch of raw, rugged road that serves as the lifeblood for eight isolated villages, all the way up to the doorstep of Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor. You'll jump off the legendary Karakoram Highway at Khuda Abad, and from there, it's a westward trek alongside the Chapursan River. Get ready to be blown away by the otherworldly scenery – think dramatic granite peaks and expansive plains that look like they belong on the moon! The road tops out at Yashkuk village, sitting pretty at 3,357m (11,013ft). Many travelers make their final stop at the Shrine of Baba Ghundi, a super important spiritual spot for the local Ismaili people. This is where the road ends and ancient yak trails begin, right near the Afghan border. Word to the wise: due to its remote location and proximity to Afghanistan, you'll want to take precautions before heading out.

Jingyangling Pass is worth the white-knuckle drivehard

Jingyangling Pass is worth the white-knuckle drive

🇨🇳 China

Okay, buckle up, road trip adventurers! Today we're tackling Jingyangling Pass in China's Qinghai Province. Picture this: you're snaking your way up the G227, a fully paved road that climbs to a whopping 3,770m (12,368ft)! Located high in the Qilian Mountains, get ready for some serious hairpin turns. If your travel buddies get carsick easily, maybe pack some ginger ale! This isn't a Sunday drive - the road is steep, with gradients hitting 8% in places. Stretching for 67.9km (42.19 miles) between Ebuzhen and Yaocaoliang, Jingyangling Pass will throw some amazing views your way. Just remember, snow usually closes it from late October to late June/early July, so timing is everything! Get ready for an unforgettable adventure.

Jiabo Cohard

Jiabo Co

🇨🇳 China

Alright adventure junkies, listen up! I just found your next thrill: Jiabo Co, a stunning high-altitude lake chilling way up at 15,662 feet in Tibet's Ngari Prefecture. Getting there? Buckle up, buttercup. We’re talking gravel, rocks, bumps, and a whole lotta "tippy" moments along the infamous 711 County Road (X711). Forget about it in the winter – totally impassable. This is strictly a 4x4 kinda trip, and definitely not for the faint of heart (or those scared of heights!). Think steep climbs and potentially muddy conditions if it's wet. The views? Absolutely insane. The challenge? Seriously real. You'll find yourself in a super remote area with hardly any traffic, so make sure you are self-sufficient and prepared. This is one for experienced off-roaders only!