Chang La, the 3rd Highest Motorable Road in the World, in winter

Marsimek La is a killer climb, Khardung La rises out of nowhere, but the climb is pretty easy. Chang La is one of the more steeper climbs. It is known for the boulders that greet everyone during the climb. At 17,586 feet, Chang La (Pass towards the South), is the third highest motorable road in the world after Marsimek La and Khardung La.


This is the pass that connects the rest of Ladakh with the picturesque Pangong Tso lake. I was here in the peak of winter and it was quite an experience. Thankfully, the roads were not snowed in due to a lack of snowfall. But, as we climbed up towards Chang La, we found a whole lot of boulders blocking our path.


It took us a good 25 minutes and after a lot of huffing and panting (due to lack of oxygen), we were finally able to remove the boulders or at least create enough way for our jeep to go by. The sensational snow covered Chang la and the heated tea shop on the top helped in getting our breath back and also some warmth back into our cold bones (especially our feet).


From this pass onwards, the landscape changes into more desert-like and this forms the Changthang Plateau and Tangtse is the main village in it. The aura of the spectacular vistas here is totally worth the drive to this place. One should definitely experience this place.