Passes In Ladakh
Overview
Many refer to Ladakh as the “land of high passes,” and with good reason there are several high-altitude routes that are equally sought after by locals and visitors. Admire breath-taking vistas from the passes while satisfying your spirit of adventure. Only a small number of passes in Ladakh are accessible to tourists. At one point in time, the majority of Ladakh’s mountain passes played a significant role in the historic Silk Road. Before continuing, traders from the modern South Asian nations would halt there. This connected to the rest of the globe through these routes, especially the Central Asian countries. The passes are still very significant to the people. A significant portion of the Indian subcontinent, along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan, were accessible to the outside world by way of the major Himalayan passes. These routes were utilized in India for the trading of goods, including spices and silk. These passes now serve as a vital military supply route for a variety of military facilities, including ammunition, gasoline, and food.
Because of bad weather, not all high mountain passes are accessible to tourists like Khardung la, chang la, zoji la, baralacha la and fotu la. The numerous “la,” or mountain passes, are the focal point of the Ladakh road trip. The high mountain passes that give the region its name. Ladakh literally translates to “land of many passes” because “la” means passes and “dhak” means many. The natural entryways to the other summits and mountains are called passes and because these passages are so high up in the mountain, people have constructed temples there and hung prayer flags and bells there to ward off bad luck.
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Highest Mountain Passes In Ladakh
01. Khardung La Pass
Khardung La which is very popularly called as the highest motorable pass in the world by BRO (Border Road Organization). It serves as the entry point to the Shyok and Nubra valleys and 40 kms away from Leh. The allure is enhanced by the vibrant, dancing prayer flags of Tibet. This pass is easily accessible between May and October and is crucial since it is situated along the caravan route that leads from Leh to Kashgar. In the past, tradesmen transported valuables and products by riding horses and camels. Currently, this route is very important to the Indian Army since it makes it easier to transport supplies to the Siachen Glacier. The closest accessible town connected to both Srinagar and Manali, is Leh.
Best Time: May to September
Altitude: 17,582 feet
Distance from Leh: 40 km
Duration: 2 hours
02. Bara-Lacha La Pass
A key crossing in Leh Ladakh that links Lahaul Valley and Ladakh is Baralacha La crossing, which is in the Zanskar mountain range. The Great Himalayan Mountain Ranges, Zanskar, and Pir Panjal meet at this 8 km long crossing. Baralacha La,which translates to “summit with crossroads from Spiti, Ladakh, Zanskar, and Lahaul,” was formerly a trading route. The Chandra River flows southeast, and the Bhaga River sits to the north-west. Surya Taal Lake is located nearby. It is conveniently reachable from April to October and is situated approximately 75 km away from Keylong (on the Manali-Leh road). Numerous treks, including the well-known Suraj Tal and ChandraTal treks, start at the Baralacha La mountain pass.
Best Time: April to November
Altitude: 16,040 feet
Distance from Leh: 283 km
Duration: Approximately 6-7 hours
03. Lachulung La Pass
Lachulung La Pass is a mountain pass located in Ladakh that possesses a similar majestic quality to the other passes. Situated at 5,059 meters above sea level. Lachulung La Pass’s natural beauty and breathtaking scenery vistas are its main draws. Situated 54 miles from Sarchu on the Leh Manali Highway, Lachulung La Pass is one of the highest motorable passes in the world. At a height of 5,059 meters above sea level there’s a marker with Buddhist prayer flags on it that announces your arrival to Lachulung La Pass and it follows the Manali-Leh Highway. The Leh-Manali Highway passes via Lachulung La Pass, which is about 8 km from La Nakee and 24 km north of Pang.
Best Time: April to November
Altitude: 16,600 feet
Distance from Leh: 195 km
Duration: Approximately 7-8 hours
04. Tanglang La Pass
Enjoy breath-taking views of the surroundings from Taglang La pass. The thick greenery on both sides adds to the already frigid air. The hair-raising turns in the route provide a good dose of excitement. IfThere are several sign boards that might help you with information about the passes in ladakh altitude and other statistics, like Leh’s 11-kilometer distance away. This resting area which lies in the Zanskar range is used by nomadic Changpa herdsmen who travel great distances in search of pasture with their flocks of sheep and goats. It is frequently falsely claimed that Taglang La is the second-highest motor accessible pass in the world. It’s situated alongside the Leh-Manali Road.
Best Time: April to November
Altitude: 17,480 feet
Distance from Leh: 108 km
Duration: Approximately 4-5 hours
05. Zoji La Pass
Zojila Pass is located between Srinagar and Leh on National Highway 1. Situated just 9 kilometers from Sonamarg, it serves as a crucial link between Kashmir and Ladakh. It is the second highest pass on this highway, behind Fotu La. When you get to the pass, which opens at the end of April, you may take in the magnificent views of the Himalayan Mountains. The scenery dramatically changes when one crosses the pass, leaving behind the Kashmiri hills clothed in forests and giving way to the exposed highlands of the Drass area. This route is only accessible during the summer, from June to September, as the Zoji La Pass is snowbound throughout the winter.
Best Time: April to November
Altitude: 11,575 feet
Distance from Leh: 120 km
Duration: 4-5 hours
06. Pensi La Pass
Pensi La Pass, one of highest passes in Ladakh at 4,400 meters above sea level, is well-known as the entry point to Zanskar Valley, often called the Gateway to Zanskar, is a mountain pass in the Ladakh area. located 4,400 meters (14,436 ft) above sea level and the mountains are 6,873 meters (22,549 feet) The Suru Valley and the Zanskar Valley are connected by this pass. The Suru River, a significant Indus tributary, flows on the west side of Pensi La, the source of the Doda River, while the Drang Drung glacier is located on its eastern side. Because of the high snowfall, this pass is only open for three months out of the year.
Best Time: April to November
Altitude: 14,436 feet
Distance from Leh: 240 km
Duration: 8-10 hours
07. Namika La Pass
Namika La, one of the two highest mountain crossings on the Leh-Kargil Highway Situated next to the Srinagar-Leh highway, Namika La is a 3,700-meter (12,139-foot) height pass in the Himalayan Zanskar Range. Namika La Pass is located at longitude 34°22′N and latitude 76°35′E. You must navigate treacherous terrain and tight twists to reach one of Ladakh’s most significant and stunning passes. Namika La Pass is also sometimes called “Pillar of the Sky Pass,” and features a terrain of brown mountains and winding paths. From the pass, you may take in the breath-taking vista of the snow-covered peaks and verdant environs. Even seasoned drivers find the Namika La Pass’s twists and turns to be difficult.
Best Time: April to November
Altitude: 12,139 feet
Distance from Leh: 125 km
Duration: 4-5 hours
08. Fotu La Pass
The highest point on the Srinagar Leh Highway, Fotu La Pass, is regarded as one of Ladakh’s tourist attractions because of the amazing photo opportunities it offers. Situated 4,108 meters above sea level, it may be found en route from Heniskot to Lamayuru. Being the highest point on the Srinagar Leh Highway and providing great photos, Fotu La Pass is worth seeing. The pass itself is covered in a thick coating of tarmac, but there are some rather steep sections. It leads to the Zoji La pass and is also renowned as the highest point on this highway. Following the Fotu La pass, the altitude begins to drop as you go eastward toward Lamayuru town.
Best Time: May to October
Altitude: 13,478 feet
Distance from Leh: 160 km
Duration: Approximately 5-6 hours
09. Chang La Pass
Chang La Pass, one of Ladakh’s highest mountain passes, is almost 5,360 meters high, Chang La Pass receives its name from Changla Baba, a well-known saint. Here sits a temple devoted to him. About fifteen kilometers in length, the pass is kept up by the Indian Army. It links the Shyok Valley and Leh. Travelers from Leh who wish to visit Pangong Tso must pass over this mountain route. Small streams cut through the loose mud and slush that covers the entire Chang La Pass throughout the summer. Travelers from all over are drawn to the area by its exceptional natural beauty. The Changthang plateau may be accessed by the pass, and Tangste village is the closest populated area.
Best Time: May to October
Altitude: 17,590 feet
Distance from Leh: 76 km
Duration: 3-4 hours
10. Marsimik La Pass
One of the world’s highest mountain passes, Marsimik La Pass is sometimes referred to as Lankar La. This pass is in the Himalayan Chang Chenmo range, nestled at 5,590 meters above sea level. Marsimik La, which is situated at the northeast tip of Pangong Lake, separates the Chang Chenmo River basin to the north from the Pangong Lake basin to the south. The mountain pass is impassable and covered in snow throughout the winter.
Situated around 35 kilometers from Pangong Lake, on the northernmost tip of the Plateau, is one of the highest mountain passes in Ladakh.
Best Time: June to September
Altitude: 18,314 feet
Distance from Leh: 100 km
Duration: 6-7 hours
11. Saser La Pass
On the path from Leh in Ladakh to Yarkand in the Tarim Basin lies the high mountain pass known as Sasser Pass. At a height of 5411 meters, this mountain pass connects Karakoram Pass to the upper Shyok valley and the head of Nubra Valley. Other names for Sasser Pass include Saser Pass and Saser La pass. Saser Pass is situated 37 km southeast of the Siachen Glacier region, which was not adequately delineated in the 1972 Simla Agreement between India and Pakistan. Previously, the Bactrian camels, the typical herd of animals found north of the Saser Pass—could not survive here due to the extreme cold.
Best Time: June to September
Altitude: 17,753 feet
Distance from Leh: 190 km
Duration: Approximately 6-7 hours
12. Rohtang Pass
One of the most breathtaking locations in the whole Kullu area is still Rohtang Pass, which serves as the entryway to Lahaul and the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh. People travel from all over the nation to this breathtaking mountain slope to engage in adventure sports like paragliding, ice skating, and skiing. Once the snow has been cleared, the Indian Army grants clearance for travelers to go on the Rohtang Pass, which is open to tourists from April to October. The same road, known as the Rohtang Pass, links Manali with Leh Ladakh.
Best Time: June to November
Altitude: 13,051 feet
Distance from Leh: 421 km
Duration: Approximately 12-14 hours
13. Kunzum Pass
This magnificent entryway that leads to the Lahaul and Spiti regions is well known to motorbike aficionados. The Spiti Valley can be accessed from the west through this pass. Currently, a motorable road crosses this mountain to link the first village of Losar in the Spiti valley with Batal in the upper Chandra valley. One of India’s highest motorable mountain crossings, Kunzum Pass, also known as Kunzum La, is in Himachal Pradesh in North India. Many bikers come here to have the most exhilarating ride via the magnificent Kunzum Pass entryway. The Goddess Kunjum (Durga/Parvati) temple, which is perched atop Kunzum and watches over the pass and wards off bad forces, is another reason for the location’s fame.
Best Time: June to October
Altitude: 15,059 feet
Distance from Leh: 370 km
Duration: Approximately 12-14 hours
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Best Time To Visit The Mountain Passes In Ladakh
The optimum time to schedule a vacation in Ladakh and tour the mountain passes is from late April to October. You can expect an enjoyable trip with good weather and accessible passes in ladakh. Due to the high altitudes and low oxygen and air pressure in the Ladakh mountain passes, you are most prone to have Altitude Mountain Sickness, or AMS. One illustration of this is Khardung La, where visitors are recommended to spend no more than 20 minutes. It’s best to spend three to four days in Leh to acclimate before heading to the alpine passes. A constant supply of water, sunglasses, wool clothing, and medications such as Diamox are essential.
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