Where is Pele La?
Bhutan, asia
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hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits at Pele La! This beast of a mountain pass sits way up high in Bhutan's Wangdue Phodrang District - seriously, it's one of the highest roads you'll find in the country.
Pele La acts as a natural divider, marking the spot where western Bhutan transitions into the central region. Keep an eye out for the chorten that marks the summit. On a clear day (good luck with that!), you might catch a glimpse of the majestic Mount Jomolhari (7,314m) and Jichu Drakye (6,989m). Feeling adventurous? There's a gnarly gravel track near the top that climbs to a radio/TV Repeater Station. Only attempt that with a 4x4 with serious clearance!
This road is a lengthy ride, stretching from Wangdue Phodrang (the district capital) all the way to Trongsa (the capital of its district).
What's the road like? Well, let's just say it's "paved" in the loosest sense of the word, with plenty of rough patches and gravel thrown in. Get ready for a steep climb and what feels like a million hairpin turns on the highway. Built back in the 90s, it's a real rollercoaster hugging the cliffside. Located in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, be warned, this route is crazy narrow. If you're prone to vertigo, maybe sit this one out.
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hardMount Haiz
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Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Mount Haiz! This epic pass, sitting pretty at 15,249 feet in China's Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is one for the books. You'll be cruising on asphalt (it's the S217 Provincial Road connecting Xiangcheng and Litang), but don't get complacent. This isn't your average Sunday drive! We're talking remote territory, seriously steep inclines, and air so thin your lungs will sing opera. Think you can handle it? Trust me, the views are worth it. Plus, there's a glacial lake waiting for you at the summit. Just remember to prepare accordingly.
extremeNangpa La: Driving the unpaved border pass in Baiyü
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Okay, adventure junkies, let's talk Nangpa La! This insane mountain pass punches through the western Sichuan province in China, teetering right on the edge of Tibet. At a whopping 4,884m (16,023ft) high, you're basically breathing space dust up here. Forget paved roads, this is raw, untamed terrain for serious off-roaders only. Seriously remote doesn't even begin to cover it. We're talking no services, no help, just you, your trusty 4x4, and some seriously stunning views of the Tibetan Plateau. The climb kicks off north of Shamaxiang and winds for almost 24 kilometers. Don't let the distance fool you - this isn't a Sunday drive! Expect an average gradient of almost 8%, but hold on tight because some sections crank up to a gut-busting 31%! You'll need every ounce of horsepower you can muster, especially with the altitude robbing your engine of its mojo. Think hairpin turns galore, loose gravel under your tires, and views that'll make your jaw drop. And keep an eye on the sky – weather here changes on a dime, and snow can shut things down any time of year. Oh, and one more thing: this being a sensitive border zone, you'll need to sniff out local intel on road conditions and snag any necessary permits before you even think about heading up. Happy trails!
moderateAn epic drive to Ulan Daba
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Okay, fellow adventurers, let's talk about Ulan Daba, a crazy-cool mountain pass straddling the Khovd and Bayan-Ölgii Provinces in western Mongolia. We're talking Altai Mountains scenery here, folks! This baby tops out at a lung-busting 3,197 meters (10,488 feet). Now, hold on to your hats because this road is *completely* unpaved. Yep, all 107 kilometers (66 miles) of it, stretching from Bosgo (Khovd Province) to Jargalant, a.k.a. Bulgan (Bayan-Ölgii Province). You're gonna need a serious 4x4 for this one. Pro tip: Plan your trip for summer – that's when it's usually accessible. Get ready for a wild ride!
hardWhere is Nathu La located?
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Nathu La Pass sits way up high at 14,140 feet, right on the Indo-China border! This epic spot connects India's Sikkim state with Yadong County in Tibet. Where can you find it? About 34 miles east of Gangtok (Sikkim's capital) and 270 miles from Lhasa, Tibet. It's one of the few spots where trade happens between China and India. Heads up, getting here isn't a breeze. You'll need a special permit if you're Indian. Sadly, no cameras allowed, but there is a world’s highest ATM! The drive itself, nicknamed Nathula, Natu La, or Natula, is completely paved. Think twisty roads, rugged mountains, and major cliff views as you cruise part of the old Silk Road. Road conditions can be rough because of snow and crazy weather. The air is thin at this altitude, so hydrate and take it easy to avoid altitude sickness. Speaking of weather, this high Himalayan pass is closed part of the year because of snow. Heavy snowfall makes it impassable for about 4-5 months. Even when the snow stops around May, landslides are common because of the heavy rain. If you're planning a trip, the border is only open Wednesday to Sunday, and is guarded by soldiers from both countries.