| Marsimik La | |
|---|---|
  Location of Marsimik La in Ladakh  Marsimik La (India) | |
| Elevation | 5,582 m (18,314 ft)[1] |
| Location | Ladakh, India |
| Range | Himalaya |
| Coordinates | 34°05′36″N 78°37′04″E / 34.09333°N 78.61778°E |
Marsimik La or Marsemik La,[2] also called Lankar La,[2] elevation 5,582 metres (18,314 ft) is a high mountain pass in the Chang Chenmo Range in the Indian union territory of Ladakh, 96 km (60 mi) east of Leh as the crow flies. Ladakh's route to the Chang Chenmo Valley traverses the pass.
Marsimik La is located about 20 km (10 mi) northeast of Lukung at the tip of Pangong Lake, and 15 km (9 mi) southwest of Pamzal in the Chang Chenmo Valley. The ridge line of Marsimik La divides the basin of the Pangong Lake from the Chang Chenmo River.
About 4 km to the east of Marsimik La is another ridge line with the pass Kiu La (also called Kangseng La). Via this pass lies the Ladakhi route to the valley of Chang Parma (also called Changlung Lungpa), leading to the Khurnak Plain in the middle of the Pangong Lake.
The description of Marsimik La in the Gazetteer of Kashmir and Ladak (1890) states:
This pass, though very high, is by no means difficult in summer. It is free from glaciers, and generally clear of snow during the summer and early autumn.[2]
The pass is on the shortest route from Lukung to Kongka Pass area some 45 km (28 mi) away, where the China-India Line of Actual Control runs. Within the vicinity of Marsimik La, the line runs at a distance of 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) to the east on a sharp ridgeline.
The "Phobrang-Marsimik La-Tsogtsalu-Hot Springs Road" (PMTHR) or "Marsimik La Road" via Phobrang-Marsimik La-Tsogstsalu to Hot Springs,[3] [4] This Marsimik La Road via Lukung to Pamzal, constructed by India's Border Roads Organisation, traverses the pass. It is regarded as one of the highest motorable passes in the world.[5] The other alternate route to Tsogtsalu is the 55 km long "Changchenmo-Tsogtsalu Road" (CTR) from confluence of Changchenmo & Shyok River to Tsogtsalu.[6]
