Taglang La Pass is the second highest mountain pass in Ladakh, with Khardung La Pass being the first. Located at an altitude of 5,328m above sea level, it’s the residence of nomadic Changpa herdsmen who are primarily cattle and goat herders. Taglang La Pass are situated adjacent to the Leh-Manali highway and can be reached through 21 Gata loops. Two of the nearest settlements to Taglang La Pass are Sarchu towards Manali and Upshi towards Leh. At Upshi, which is a stopover on the route to Leh, tourists stop for a cup of tea.

Importance of the Pass

Located at an altitude of 17,582ft, the Taglang La Pass is one of the highest mountain roads of the country and is traversed by the Leh-Manali highway. During winters, it’s almost impossible to cross this road. However, for those who are experienced behind the wheel, this pass can present an exciting challenge.

Precautions to observe while crossing the Taglang Pass

Taglang Pass should be avoided by those who are unaccustomed to driving on unpaved mountain roads. However, for experienced drivers, it can be extremely exciting. If you happen to be scared of heights, you should probably stay away from driving through this pass. Wet conditions make driving along this road even more challenging. It should also be remembered that in Taglang Pass, oxygen is in short supply and people start feeling altitude sickness while nearing the pass. It’s important to prepare yourself thoroughly in order to have an enjoyable trip on the road.

Although the road is asphalted, from 5,000m upwards it’s mostly an unpaved stretch of dirt. The ascent to Taglang La Pass consists of 20km of loose stone road along with an oxygen level which is half of that at sea level.