You have to be a pro to drive on these roads in India

Even the most honed driver in the world may get a chill down their spine if they visit some of the roads in Indian Hills. The nerves of steel and a heart of stone are required to drive on these roads. The sharp turns, narrow roads, harsh climate, and low hanging cliffs can lead to death rather than their planned destination. In addition to bad maintenance, the location of a scary road gives rise to a dangerous drive. However, this does not cease people from taking up the challenge and gear up to take a drive on some of the most petrifying roads. If you have the brave soul residing in you, take a look at the following mountain passes and decide whether you want to drive on them or not.

Khardungla Pass: the Highest Motorable Road of the World

The Khardungla Pass lies in Ladakh among the snow-clad mountains and is the highest motorable road in the world. It lies on the Caravan Route where the Silk Route existed between China and India. The fact that makes Khardungla Pass scary is its height of more than 5,600 meters above the level of the sea. To add to the bloodcurdling things on the pass, the road is not surfaced and is very slippery because of dirt and frozen snow. Moreover, the frequent hairpin bends of the road make even the most seasoned drivers think twice about driving here.

Kishtwar Kailash Highway

The Kishtwar Kailash Highway has the low overhanging cliffs without any guardrails, which does not allow tall vehicles to pass through it easily. The terrifying stretch of 234 kilometers is located in the eastern region of Jammu in the Kishtwar district. Do not get distracted by the GPS of your phone if it mentions Kishtwar Kailash Highway on your way. The valleys on the side of the road run thousands of feet downwards. The highway, being a part of NH 26, becomes even scarier on a windy day. If you look down the valley, you need to hold your breath to have the view. The road surface is made of sand, stones, and gravel. If you are a novice, do not even attempt to drive along this path.

Killar – Kishtwar Route

The Killar – Kishtwar Route is just an imitation of Kishtwar Kailash Highway. The road lies in the Pangi Valley in Himachal Pradesh, and it runs without any guard rails with its sharp turns and overhanging hills. Even if you drive in broad daylight, it is hard for you to cover the road, forget driving at night.

Zoji La Pass

The Zoji La Pass is an important road in the country located at the height of 3,528 meters above the level of sea. The road is situated in Srinagar and the Western Himalayan Ranges. The pass is not meant for a casual drive; you have to have a strong heart to drive on this 9 kilometers long stretch. During winter, the pass remains closed; you must have extraordinary driving skills along with the supreme confidence to cross this pass. You must keep in mind that the arid atmosphere of this area makes Zoji La Pass susceptible to landslides. Moreover, the mixture of dirt and snow makes the road even more slippery.

Chang La Pass: the third Highest Motorable Road in the World

The Chang La Pass lies between Leh and Pangong Lake at the height of more than 5,300 meters above the level of the sea. The snow-clad road remains slippery round the year, and you can also feel the paucity of oxygen while driving or traveling on this road. If you cannot tolerate extreme cold temperature, this region is not meant for you. The Chang La Pass got its name from Sadhu Changla Baba. You can also find a temple on this road that was constructed after him. Although it is not an easy road to drive, people still come to Chang La Pass to experience the serene and scenic natural beauty. The tiny village of Tangste is the only closest settlement near this place, which is the main gateway for Changthang plateau located in the Himalayas.

NH 22 Kinnaur Road

The NH 22 Kinnaur Road is carved out of hard rocks to provide accessibility to Kinnaur. The Taranda Dhank is disreputable for claiming many lives. The narrow dark holes, blind turns, and low overhanging hills add to the terror of this road. Just one mistake you do, and your vehicle will go down into the River Baspa. Even if the vehicle does not fall into the river, you have to be acutely aware of the collision with other cars at the fatal blind turns.

Rohtang Pass

The Rohtang Pass is also known as the ground of cadavers and is one of the narrowest stretches of the Leh-Manali highway. Situated at the height of more than 3,900 meters above the sea level, the entire stretch of 479 kilometers is dangerous. Moreover, the snow-clad highways are disposed to landslides, particularly in regions surrounded by mountains on each side.

Nathula Pass

Nathula Pass is one among the highest motorable highways of the world, and it joins China and Sikkim. The road, situated on the border of India and China, is a major tourist attraction and it attracts flocks of trekkers in the valley. In addition to the scenic beauty, the various waterfalls gushing along the pass also provide a serene atmosphere. You will also find various snow-clad peaks surrounding the area.

India, in the last few years, has developed the culture of taking adventurous trips at any cost. This adventurous streak is unseen in a traditional country like ours. That is why; people do not shy away from taking Self-Drive Car Rental India to come and experience the thrill of driving even on such scary roads. You just have to possess a strong heart if you want to come to these places and admire the country in its most raw form while experiencing the most dangerous experiences of your life.

I, Manoj Upadhyay, a digital marketer by profession, believe in just that! I cherish each aspect of life, which has driven me to the idea of my blogging website, namely Wandererfoodie.