The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Bumiktse La

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Bumiktse La

India, asia

Length

N/A

Elevation

4,420 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up adventure seekers, because Bumiktse La (also called Bumice La) in Ladakh is calling your name! This beast of a pass tops out at a whopping 14,501 feet, so be prepared to feel the altitude. Forget smooth pavement – we're talking a totally unpaved, winding track that snakes its way up with hairpin turns galore. Seriously, you'll NEED a 4x4 to conquer this one – it's steep and the road is rocky with some serious potholes. This north-south route connects Photoksar and Yulchung, plunging you deep into the Zanskar mountains. You'll be surrounded by the lush Photang valley, and if you time it right during the summer months, you'll be rewarded with insane views of hanging icefalls. Trust me, the scenery alone makes the bumpy ride totally worth it!

Where is it?

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Bumiktse La is located in India (asia). Coordinates: 26.1981, 79.6614

Share this road

Road Details

Country
India
Continent
asia
Max Elevation
4,420 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
26.1981, 79.6614

Related Roads in asia

Lowari Pass is the Grand Daddy of the passesextreme

Lowari Pass is the Grand Daddy of the passes

🇵🇰 Pakistan

Buckle up for Lowari Pass, aka "Hell's Road," in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Think of it as the Grand Daddy of hairpin turns, snaking up to a dizzying 10,230 feet. This stretch of the N45 connects Dir and Chitral through tribal lands bordering Afghanistan. Parts are paved, but don't be fooled; much of it quickly devolves into a super-rough dirt track that’ll test your suspension and your nerves for about 40 km straight! High in the Hindu Raj mountains, Lowari is a beast of a road, notorious for its steep climbs and impossibly narrow sections. Loaded trucks crawl along, their drivers navigating a gauntlet of tight turns and sheer cliffs. Avalanches are a real threat in winter, tragically claiming lives each year. The pass is usually shut down from late November to late May due to heavy snow. Originally built by the British, this road is not for the faint of heart. While the Lowari Tunnel (8.75km + 2km) now bypasses the most treacherous section, you're still in for an adrenaline-pumping ride. The tunnel is open to all vehicles and has a speed limit of 40 km/h. Get ready for a wild, unforgettable adventure with views that will leave you breathless... if the road doesn't first!

Bunggar Lamoderate

Bunggar La

🇨🇳 China

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Bunggar La in Tibet is calling, and it's a wild one. We're talking a lung-busting 5,228 meters (17,152 feet) up in Maizhokunggar County, Lhasa. Forget smooth tarmac; this is a rocky, gravelly adventure with some seriously sharp stones just waiting to shred your tires. You'll need high clearance, skid plates, and diff lockers – this is strictly off-limits for your average rental car! The views? Epic! But be warned, the altitude isn't the only challenge. This is a mine road so expect a rough ride. Weather changes on a dime, with fierce winds year-round and even summer snow. And winter? Brutal. Make sure you're prepped for serious cold and gusts that'll try to blow you off the mountain. This road is for drivers with nerves of steel only.

Bulun Kul Lakemoderate

Bulun Kul Lake

🌍 Tajikistan

Bulun Kul Lake is a fresh-water alpine lake at an elevation of 3.751m (12,306ft) above the sea level, located in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province, in southeast Tajikistan. Nestled in the center of the Pamir Mountains in the Alikhur valley, the road to the lake is unpaved. It is subject to winter snowfalls with such a high summit altitude, and it can be closed anytime when the access is not cleared of snow. 4wd vehicle required. The lake is also known as Bulunkul. After rain, even a single rainfall, conditions of the road can be challenging. Watch out for sudden loose-gravel breaks. The area offers many “lunar landscapes”, scenic views and spectacular sunsets. The terrain here is desolate but grandiose. The water is fresh and has rich flora and fauna. It is known as one of the coldest places in the former Soviet Union, with a record minimum temperature of -63 degrees Celsius recorded. Even in summer, you should dress warm once the sun goes down. Pic: Gianfranco di Summa How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Uy-Bulak Pass Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

How long is Panlong Ancient Road?moderate

How long is Panlong Ancient Road?

🇨🇳 China

Deep in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, near Kashgar, lies the Panlong Ancient Road. Don't even think about attempting this drive if you're queasy! This 36km (22-mile) stretch of road, also known as Pamir Plateau Sky Road and Wacha Road, opened in 2019 to help local mountain communities. Heads up, foreign travelers: you'll need a border pass for Tashkurgan. Starting from Habu Sikalai in Waqia (next to the Bandi Dailiya River) on the X614 county road, it twists westward to Taxkorghan township (right off the G314 national road/KKH by the Tashiku'er River). Prepare for a wild ride with over 208 bends! Drive super carefully, especially in rain or snow, and watch out for potential mudslides. The highest point, Wuguliyate Daban, sits at a breathtaking 4,269m (14,005ft). The climb is seriously steep, with some sections hitting an 11.8% gradient. Luckily, it's been fully paved since 2020, making it a true driver's dream. Keep in mind, Panlong Ancient Road is usually closed from late October to late March each year.