Driving the most spectacular roads of India

Nestled in South Asia, India is a canvas of colors, sounds, and landscapes, and its roads serve as mesmerizing threads weaving through this intricate tapestry. Each route is not just a passage but a storyteller, chronicling tales of time, terrain, and tenacity.

The Grand Trunk Road, one of Asia's oldest and longest roads, whispers stories of empires, traders, and pilgrims from times immemorial. If you seek sheer adrenaline, brace yourself for the road from Kishtwar to Keylong, often touted as India's most harrowing road, where each turn can make even seasoned adventurers skip a heartbeat. Delve deeper into the mountains and the Spiti Valley Road awaits, a challenging path carved amidst raw, untamed beauty, giving 'off the beaten track' a whole new meaning. Then, for those who aim to quite literally reach dizzying heights, Umling La stands tall, crowned as the highest paved road on our planet, offering views that can make you feel on top of the world.

Journeying on India's roads isn't just about going from one point to another. It's about embracing its soul, understanding its contrasts, and marveling at both its ancient allure and present-day puzzle. So buckle up and embark on a drive through India, where every mile narrates a saga and every horizon beckons a new adventure.

Kongka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.192m (17,034ft) above the sea level, located on the disputed region of Aksai Chin in the Chinese-Indian Line of Control.

Kondaveedu Fort is an ancient hill fortress at an elevation of 292m (958ft) above the sea level, located in Guntur district, in the Coastal Andhra region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Namshang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.960m (16,273ft) above the sea level, located in Ladakh region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kungzhag La is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.780m (18,963ft) above the sea level, located on the Indian (Sikkim) and Chinese (Tibet) border. It’s one of the World's highest motorable roads.

Rangdum Monastery is an imposing 18th century Buddhist monastery, at an elevation of 4.031m (13,225ft) above the sea level, located in the head of the Suru Valley, in Ladakh, a region of India in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kaldang-Kildang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.095m (13,435ft) above the sea level, located in the Ladakh region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Demchok-Dêmqog is a high mountain border at an elevation of 4.219m (13,841ft) above the sea level, located on the Line of Actual Control between Jammu and Kashmir (India) and Tibet Autonomous Region (China).

Umba La, also known as Umbala Top, is a high mountain pass standing at an elevation of 4.496m (14,750ft) above sea level. It is situated in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, nestled within the Suru Valley near the Line of Control (LoC), which delineates the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled territories of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jalebi bends is a series of 23 hairpin bends located in the Leh district of Ladakh, India. It’s an epic enthralling road.

Sapi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.397m (14,425ft) above the sea level, located in Ladakh, a region of India in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jot Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.440m (8,005ft) above the sea level, located in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

Natha Top is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.677m (8,782ft) above the sea level, located in Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tso Moriri is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.522m (14,836ft) above the sea level, located in the Ladakh region of the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Padri Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.037m (9,963ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of  Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, in northern India.

Ane La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.370m (17,618ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Hamboting La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.056m (13,307 ft) above the sea level, located in Ladakh region, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Tsaka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.646m (15,242ft) above the sea level, located in northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir state.

Rezang La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.199m (17,057ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Namika La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,823m (12,542ft) above sea level, located in Ladakh, India.

Chorbat La is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.141m (16,866ft) above the sea level, on the border of India and Pakistan. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

At an elevation of 4.358m (14,297ft) above the sea level, Col Chewang Rinchen Setu bridge is India's highest altitude all-weather permanent bridge.

Thit Zarbo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.107m (16,755ft) above the sea level, located in south-eastern Ladakh, in northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir state. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Lipulekh Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.099m (16,729ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border.

Kiagar La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.859m (15,941ft) above the sea level, located in the Ladakh region of the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sengge La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.952m (16,246ft) above the sea level, located in the Zanskar region in the state of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir in northern India.

Jelep La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,434m (14,547ft) above sea level, located on the border of India and Tibet.

Hatu Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.184m (10,446ft) above the sea level, located in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

Murgum La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.397m (14,425ft) above the sea level, located in the Leh district of Ladakh, India.

Mayudia Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.645m (8,677ft) above the sea level, located in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Patnitop (or Patni Top) is a hilltop tourist location at an elevation of 2.048m (6,719ft) above the sea level, located in Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Khungyami La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.844m (19,173ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and India. It’s one of the world's highest motorable roads.

Lungnak La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.084m (16,679ft) above the sea level, located in the Chopta valley, in the Indian state of Sikkim. The India-China border is just a few kilometres away from the summit.

Mt. Saraswati is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,532m (14,868ft) above sea level, located in Ladakh, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Cho La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.593m (16,068ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayas.

Karakoram Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.542m (18,182ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Lungar La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.795m (19,012ft) above the sea level, located in the disputed Demchok sector between China and India. It is one of the highest motorable roads on Earth.

Nurbula Top is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,310m (17,421ft) above sea level, located in the Leh District of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Kaatu Bannari and Talamalai are 2 viewpoints located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.