
Travel Guide to the Top of Nyi La
Nepal, asia
16.5 km
3,932 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Nyi La! This beast of a mountain pass clocks in at a whopping 12,900 feet, way up in the wild and untamed Upper Mustang region of Nepal.
You'll find it nestled in the Kali Gandaki River valley, practically spitting distance from the Chinese border in north-central Nepal.
Now, getting to the top is no Sunday drive. This is Kaligandaki Road Corridor territory, a rough-and-tumble gravel track carved out by the Nepal Army. Trust me, you'll want a 4x4 for this one! Think serious mountain climbs, and be warned, winter can shut this baby down completely.
The stretch from Ghami to Syanboche is about 10.25 miles of pure adrenaline. The scenery? Absolutely mind-blowing. Get ready for views that'll stay with you long after you've bounced your way back down.
Where is it?
Travel Guide to the Top of Nyi La is located in Nepal (asia). Coordinates: 28.1886, 84.4553
Road Details
- Country
- Nepal
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 16.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,932 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 28.1886, 84.4553
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