Pensi La

About Pensi La

Sitting at 4,400 m, Pensi La connects Suru Valley to Zanskar and offers a jaw-dropping panorama of the Drang-Drung glacier — one of the largest in Ladakh.

History & significance

For centuries Pensi La was the only practical summer crossing between Zanskar and the outside world, used by traders, pilgrims and herders. The road has been steadily upgraded by the Border Roads Organisation.

Travel tips

• Start very early from Kargil — it's a long, slow drive.
• Stop at the glacier viewpoint for one of the best photo ops in Ladakh.
• Carry emergency snacks and water; there are no shops at the pass.
• Watch for marmots on the alpine meadows below the pass.

Nearby attractions