Karakoram Pass The Karakoram Pass (18,250 ft) lies in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It lies on one of the highest trade routes in the world for Yarkand in Central Asia. The route takes one from the Nubra Valley in Ladakh over the Tulimpati La, Siser La and over camp sites like Murgo, Burtso, Kazilangar, Daulatbeg Oldi and finally leads to the pass.

The region is barren with absolutely no vegetation. Temperatures drop to -30 C and storms, blizzards and snowstorms rage throughout the year.

On the ancient Central Asian trade route. Credit: Karamjeet Singh

 From the Daulat Beg Oldi camp site, there is a long trek of 16 km along the dry river bed. One can never miss the route if one follows the trail of bones and skeletons of dead men and animals -- silent reminders of the hostile conditions that took the toll of so many lives in olden times when this route was used intensively for trade with Central Asia.

The last stretch winds up to the right from the river bed towards the Karakoram Pass. Though the gradient is gentle and not particularly difficult, it is the rarefied air that makes the crossing of this pass particularly arduous. At the end there is a climb of about 1,000 ft and in the distance a depression is visible, which is the Karakoram Pass.

At 18,250 ft the pass is formed by a saddle between the two gentle mountain tops. It is only about 50 yards wide. On the other side is a gradual descent, barren and gentle mountain features between 19,000 ft and 20,000 ft in height.

On one side of this Great Himalayan ridge lies India. On the other side lies China.