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10 of the World's Highest Points in India

From the highest battlefield to the highest cricket pitch, Forum M Gandhi tells you about ten of the world's highest touristic and/or service points that are in India on World Mountain Day

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Highest Motorable Road: Khardung la
Location: Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
Elevation: 5,602 m (18,380 ft)

If you're an avid biker, you shouldn't miss a ride on the highest motorable road in the world! The bumpy, murky route starts at Leh, 40 km from Khardung la (la means mountain pass in Tibetan), and goes through Phyang. It will take you about an hour to reach and some travellers say that the constant stretch of the white of snow hurts their eyes, but also exclaim that the beauty is unbeatable. If you're not into bikes, there are public and private buses to ply you, alternatively you can hire a car or taxi. You can carry your bicycle in the vehicle and ride it on your way down. While the signage at Khardung la tells you that the altitude is 18,380 ft, according to Google Earth, GPS and SRTM the elevation is 17,582 ft. According to the same reports, Marsimek La, which is further above Khardung la at 18,953 ft in the Chang-Chemno Range, is the Highest Motorable Road, but is not open to civilians as it is near the India-China Road of Control.

Highest Cafe: Rinchen Cafeteria
Location: Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
Elevation: 5,602 m (18,380 ft)


Image by Himanshu Khagta

After an hour's bumpy journey to Khardung la, a stop at Rinchen cafe—the world's highest cafe–allows travellers to rejuvenate and also gives them the much required warmth. Besides maggi, momos, tea etc., served by a few army men during the tourist season (summer), the cafe also takes you through the various sights, scenes and stories of Ladakh with beautiful paintings and quotes by the army. The cafe's tinned exterior and prayer flags further immerses you in the Ladakh experience, which a peep outside completes with breathtaking views of Ladakh's snow-capped mountain peaks to the south and that of Karakoram range to the north. This cafe was named after Col. Rinchen, for seizing Pakistan occupied Kashmir. You can also shop at the small souvenir store set up by the army officials. Tour guides and army officials suggest that tourists vacate the area in an hour due to low oxygen levels and high pollution. However, the army has oxygen cylinders and basic medical aid for emergencies.

Highest Post Office: Hikkim Branch
Location: Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Elevation: 4,572 m (15,500 ft)


Image by Tamayee Pathre 

If you're planning a trip to Spiti valley, make it a point to send a letter to your loved ones from the world's highest post office, at the Hikkim village, as a memoir. Hikkim has a population of 600 and each day its post office, which was inaugurated in 1983, handles around 20 letters that take 15-20 days to reach their destination. It also caters to about 50 savings accounts. Post master Rinchon Chhering, its only employee, who has been working there since its inception, walks down to the main post office in Kaza, 25 km away and delivers all posts himself. Even the nearest hospital is in Kaza. In June 2014, a special cover was launched by the H.P. Postal Circle, Shimla to commemorate the post office's presence for over 30 years.

Highest Petrol Pump: Indian Oil Corporation Pvt. Ltd
Location: Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Elevation: 3740 m (12270 ft)


Image by Rishi Raj

Located at the Losar road of Kaza Village this petrol pump of Indian Oil's is not only the highest in the world, but it's also quite old-fashioned. According to the travellers one can refill the tanks, however, the fuel dispenser is outmoded–it only shows the amount of petrol filled, but doesn't calculate the money to be paid by the customer.

Highest Battlefield: Siachen Glacier
Location: Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
Elevation: 6,700 m (22,000 ft)


Image by RNA

The Siachen battlefield was a disputed area between India and Pakistan, with both countries claiming sovereignty over the glaciers due to its valuable topography. In 1984, Indian army’s Operation Meghdoot gave India control over the Siachen Glacier located in the Karakoram range, including its tributaries and ever since then both countries have deployed troops there. Siachen battlefield has been listed in Guinness World Record (GWR), as the highest battlefield in the world. According to GWR, “Almost all of the war's 2,000 personnel casualties (between 1984-1997) were due to the extreme weather conditions.” Due to its low temperature the army at Siachen still continues to face personnel casualties. Siachen glacier is also the proud owner of the world’s highest helipad, which is again used only by the army to refill their stocks.

Highest ATM: Axis Bank
Location: Nathu La, Sikkim
Elevation: 4023 m (13,200 ft)


Image by Avi Sabarvala

In case you fall short of cash while on Nathu La, you can try your luck at the highest ATM setup there by Axis Bank (formerly UTI bank). Travellers and locals call it “Ram bharose ATM” because once the card goes in, there's no guarantee that it will come out. This happens due to the harsh weather conditions; the machine freezes sometimes. And due to inadequate power supply, the ATM only functions during the day.

Highest Cricket Pitch: Chail Cricket Ground
Name: Chail Military School
Location: Solan, Himachal Pradesh
Elevation: 2,220 m (7283 ft)


Image by Girish


Surrounded by thick forests of deodar, Chail's cricket ground lies on a hilltop that was leveled by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala to build the pitch in 1983; he also developed Chail village as his summer capital. However, he donated most of his buildings as well as the ground to Chail Military School and Government of India after accession to the Indian Union. During the colonial era, friendly matches were held here, but now it is also used for various other sports like polo and football by the kids. In winters the fog makes the ground seem spooky, but that doesn't stop the kids from playing. It was listed in the Guinness World Records, but the title was taken back because no competitive matches are held here. However, its record still hasn’t been broken. The best way to reach Chail is via train from it's nearest railway station, Kandaghat, 30 km away.

Highest Polling Booth: Anlay Phu
Where: Leh, Jammu and Kashmir
Elevation: 5,000 m (15,000 ft)


Image by Betwa Sharma

2014 elections saw a new turn of events not only politically, but also geogrphically. Earlier the highest polling booth in the world was atHikkim in Spiti Valley. But this year 85 voters—astonishingly 47 women and only 38 men–cast their votes in makeshift tents at Anlay Phu, a hamlet about 250 km from Leh. Sand storms are a common occurrence and the ride too is bumpy and the weather is dry and cold. According to a traveller, the higher you reach the closer you get to the snow-capped mountains and the fewer campaign posters you'll see. As you near the top you'll find small settlements, cattle and people (the numbers are few.)

Highest Tea Estate: Kolukkumalai Tea Plantations
Location:Munnar, Kerala
Elevation: 2408 m (7900 ft)


Image by Kerala Tourism

38 km from Munnar, the smell of fresh tea spread across 200 acres of the 500-acres property entices people to take a 3-4 hour bumpy jeep ride (private vehicles are prohibited) through the hills to reach Kolukkumalai Tea Plantations, the world's highest tea estate. On your way you'll see waterfalls as well as the beautiful plains of Tamil Nadu. Built in 1930 by a Scottish planter, there's no documentation about the reason for its name, but there are stories galore. While some locals believe that it is a combination of the Tamil words kaluku (eagle) and malai (mountain), others believe it was previously called Kuliratti Malai meaning "The Cold Mountains" and later changed to Kolukkumalai.

Unlike modern tea estates that use the CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) method, this plantation still uses the Orthodox method, where in leaves are handpicked as part of the weathering process, then rolled, cooled, fermented and finally dried. The estate is currently applying for the organic certification and offers various varieties of tea—flowery orange pekoe, broken orange pekoe, dust etc., of which the first two are more popular among Western tourists. You can make your own tea at the tea factory, take some tips from the salesmen to derive the best flavourfrom each tea, or simply indulge in a tea-tasting session. You can also stay over-night at one of the guest houses or camps in the estate and for the adventurous there are activities like trekking and mountain biking too. It's best to visit from October to May, but it may rain in November.

Highest Golf Course: Yak Golf Course
Location: Kupup Valley, Sikkim
Elevation: 3,970m (13,025 ft)


Image by Shital Pradhan

The eighteen-hole ‘Yak Golf Course’, which was inaugurated in 1972, is part of a 6026-yard- long Indian Army base. Located in the Kupup valley of Sikkim, It was redesigned in 1979 by Brig JM Singh, Cdr 164 Mtn Bde, and has been further developed by golf lovers. It was listed in GWR on 10 October 2006. However, one can play there from May to December only. The course has challenging fairways meandering across mountain streams in their full flow and its marshy and uneven ground tests the golfing skills of one and all. During winters it also hosts ice hockey, ice skating, skiing and baseball.

With inputs from Himanshu Khagta, Sudhakar Solomon Raj, Supraket Meshram, Yash Singh, Sandesh Satish Samant, Haris Bukhari, Shital Pradhan, Betwa Sharma, Sinna, Johnny, Kamlesh Lalan, Tondup Dorjee, Kerala Tourism

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