A road with countless curves to the summit of Pele La
Pele La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.423m (11,230ft) above the sea level, located in the Wangdue Phodrang District of Bhutan. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.
The road to the summit is paved in very bad conditions (even gravel sections) and pretty steep, with hundreds of turns. The pass itself takes you over the Black Mountains, the physical boundary between western and central Bhutan. Very long and spectacular climb from Wangdi. In countless curves the road climbs often along the sheer rock face.
Located in the Black Mountains, the road is very narrow. It’s called Bumthang-Ura Highway. The road was built in the 1990’s. It is not recommended if your passengers are prone to car sickness. On a clear day (which is rare in these parts) mount Jhomolhari (7.314m) and Jichu Drakye (6.989m) are visible.Adverse weather conditions are common. Ice and snow can be on the way. The pass is marked by a chorten and an array of prayer flags.
Remember this is is a mountainous area, climbing up a high mountain, with a notorius absence of oxygen. Altitude and extreme weather are always a factor. A gravel side road at the summit climbs up to 3.568m (11,706ft) to a radio/TV Repeater Station. Very steep and narrow. 4x4 with high clearance vehicles only.