
The New Road from Jomsom to Rara Lake: A High-Altitude Frontier in Nepal
Nepal, asia
N/A
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Get ready for an epic adventure in the Himalayas! A brand-new road is being carved through the remote and mystical Dolpo region of Nepal, connecting the legendary Upper Mustang to the pristine Rara Lake. This is going to be one seriously scenic – and seriously wild – ride!
Your journey kicks off near the Kali Gandaki River at Ekle Bhatti, nestled between Jomsom and Kagbeni. From there, hold on tight as the road throws you straight into a relentless climb into the heart of the rugged mountains.
This ambitious route punches its way west toward Rara Lake, cresting a series of crazy-high passes that create a direct link across the watershed. Keep an eye out for these key landmarks; they mark your progress through this incredible landscape.
But be warned, this is still a work in progress! Expect a narrow, unpaved track of dirt and loose gravel clinging precariously to steep slopes. In many places, it's barely wide enough for a single 4x4, and sheer drops without guardrails are the norm.
The plan is for this new road to eventually connect with other remote tracks, like the Sangda La and Mo La. When it's all finished, it'll offer a vital (if somewhat nerve-wracking) connection to the Rara Lake region, bypassing the busier routes below. Buckle up – this is a drive you won't soon forget!
Where is it?
The New Road from Jomsom to Rara Lake: A High-Altitude Frontier in Nepal is located in Nepal (asia). Coordinates: 28.6018, 84.5946
Road Details
- Country
- Nepal
- Continent
- asia
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 28.6018, 84.5946
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