The New Road from Jomsom to Rara Lake: A High-Altitude Frontier in Nepal
A monumental road project is currently underway in the remote Himalayas of Nepal, aiming to connect the iconic district of Upper Mustang with the pristine Rara Lake in the far west. This route is set to become one of the most scenic and dangerous high-altitude drives in the world, traversing the isolated and mystical region of Dolpo.
Where does the road start?
The journey begins at Ekle Bhatti (28°47'19"N 83°44'11"E), a small settlement located between Jomsom and Kagbeni on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River. From here, the track leaves the main valley floor and starts a relentless ascent into the rugged mountains.
🏔️ Nepal High-Altitude Route Data
| Highest Point (Current) | 4,463m (14,642ft) |
| Route Goal | Jomsom to Rara Lake |
| Region | Upper Mustang / Dolpo |
| Surface | Unpaved (Construction in progress) |
The High Passes of Upper Mustang
As the road pushes west toward Rara Lake, it crowns several high-altitude passes, providing a direct link across the watershed. These are the key milestones of the current construction:
An Ongoing Engineering Marvel
The road is still an ongoing project. The recent images captured on-site show a narrow, unpaved ribbon of dirt and loose gravel carved into steep mountain slopes. In many sections, the road is barely wide enough for a single 4x4 vehicle, with sheer drops and no guardrails.
This new artery is expected to eventually link up with other remote tracks, such as the Sangda La and Mo La. Once completed, it will provide a vital, albeit treacherous, connection to the Rara Lake region, bypassing much of the lower, more congested transit routes.
Driving Challenges
- Extreme Altitude: Drivers quickly ascend from 2,700 m to over 4,400 m, making altitude sickness a serious risk.
- Surface Conditions: As a construction project, the surface is raw earth and crushed rock, highly susceptible to landslides and washouts during the monsoon season.
- Isolation: This is one of the most sparsely populated areas on Earth. There is no mobile coverage, no fuel stations, and virtually no mechanical support for hundreds of kilometers.
Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson