Nathang valley and Kupup on the high road
Nathang, also written Gnathang, is a broad valley with a small village of herders, an army presence and a British-era war cemetery from the 1888 campaign. Yaks graze on the slopes in summer. In winter the whole valley can be white, and nights there are bitterly cold.
Beyond Nathang the road passes Old Baba Mandir and reaches Kupup, near a small lake called Elephant Lake for its shape when seen from above. From here you can see towards Jelep La on clear days. Spend only a few hours at this height unless you have acclimatised, and carry water and snacks.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Can I stay overnight in Nathang?
A few homestays operate in Nathang, but at about 4,000 m nights are very cold and altitude sickness is more likely. It suits travellers who are already acclimatised. Most people stay in Zuluk and visit Nathang by day. Check your permit covers an overnight stay there.
What is Elephant Lake near Kupup?
It is a small high-altitude lake near Kupup, so called because its outline looks like an elephant when seen from the road above. It is often frozen in winter. The lake sits close to the Jelep La area, so stop only where your driver says it is permitted.
Is the road over Nathang open in winter?
It is often open but can close for days after heavy snowfall until the Border Roads Organisation clears it. Drivers fit chains when needed. Ask your homestay host about the road the evening before, keep a backup plan to return via Rongli, and check current status before you travel.
Also in Zuluk
More hours to plan around
