Manali Leh Srinagar - 12 Mountain Passes That You Can Traverse In A Single Himalayan Circuit

1. Rohtang Pass - 3,978 m

Rohtang Pass, is a high mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas around 51 km from Manali. It connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the most sought after destination for the tourist coming to Manali. It remains closed from November to June due to heavy snowfall.

 

 

2. Baralacha Pass - 4,890 m

Bara-lacha la also known as Bara-lacha Pass, or Bārā Lācha La, is a high mountain pass in Zanskar range, connecting Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, situated along the Leh-Manali highway. Suraj Tal lies at the base of Baralacha, which is fed from the glaciers and torrential streams originating from the pass.

 

3. Nakee La - 4,750 m

Nakee la is the third pass crossed while travelling from Manali to Leh. It lies between Sarchu and Pang. After Nakee la, the roads heads towards Whiskey Nullah.

 

4. Lachulung La - 5,059 m

Lachulung La, located in Ladakh separates the valleys of the Tsarap Chu Chu and the Tozay, where both are on the flow of the Zanskar and the Indus rivers. Situated on 16,600 feet above the sea level, the pass is quite close to the Sarchu and Pangong lake.

 

The pass on the Leh-Manali Highway is around 8 kms from La Nakee that is around 24 kms towards the north of Pang. The road is visible from the narrow gap of the Lachulung Lungpa. While crossing the pass, the tourist buses and taxis take a halt here most of the times, to let the tourists admire the local natural beauty of the surrounding mountains. It is one of the favorite passes amongst the hikers as well as trekkers.

 

 

5. Taglang La - 5,328 m

Taglang La pass is the second highest mountain pass in Ladakh, the first being Khardungla Pass. It is the residence of the nomadic Changpa herdsman who can be seen herding their cattle and goats. The pass is adjacent to the Leh-Manali highway and is reached via 21 Gata loops. The  two nearest settlements to this pass are Sarchu towards Manali and Upshi towards Leh. Upshi is a stopover on the route to Leh where tourists halt for a cup of tea. From Upshi, Leh is just a half an hour drive.

 

6. Khardung La - 5,359 m

Often falsely called as the highest motor able pass in the word, Khardung la lies north of Leh and is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. The Siachen Glacier lies part way up the latter valley. Built in 1976, it was opened to public motor vehicles in 1988 and has since seen many automobile, motorbike and mountain biking expeditions. Maintained by the Border Roads Organisation, the pass is strategically important to India as it is used to carry supplies to the Siachen Glacier.

 

7. Chang La - 5,360 m

The Chang La is on the route to Pangong Lake from Leh. The name literally means "Pass towards the South" or "Pass in the South" (Chang = south, La = Pass). It is falsely claimed that the pass is named after the supposed sadhu Changla Baba, a myth propagated by the dedication of a temple at the pass to the supposed Changla Baba. The nomadic tribes of the region are collectively known as the Changpa or Chang-pa.

 

 

8. Marsimik La - 5,681 m

Image Courtesy: www.overdrive.in

Marsimik La or Marsimek La, elevation 5,681 meters (18,640 ft), is a high mountain pass in the Chang-Chemno Range in northern India about 100 km (62 mi) east of Leh, further by road.

Located 20 km (10 mi) northeast of the northwest tip of Pangong Lake, the pass is on the shortest route from there to the contested Kongka Pass area some 42 km (26 mi) further northeast on the China-India line of actual control. Marsimik La is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of the sharp 6,000 to 6,500 m (19,700 to 21,300 ft) ridgeline forming the line of actual control.

 

9. Wari La - 5,308 m

Wari la is a high mountain pass in Ladakh region of the Leh District. The pass is an ideal base for trekking and is the highest pass in Nubra Valley.The pass ascends from Takthok and gives panoramic views of the nearby passes and peaks. It is as well fourth highest road in the world and it connects Khardung Village to Sakti Village.

 

10. Fotu La - 4,108 m

Fotu La or Fatu La is a mountain pass on the Srinagar-Leh highway in the Himalayas Zaskar Range in India. At an elevation of 4,108 metres (13,478 ft), it is the highest point on the highway, surpassing the famed Zoji La. Fotu La is one of two high mountain passes between Leh and Kargil, the other being Namika La.Moving eastwards, the highway begins to descend towards the town of Lamayuru after Fotu La. There is a Prasar Bharati television relay station serving Lamayuru located on the pass.

 

11. Zoji La - 3,528 m

Image Courtesy: www.i.telegraph.co.uk

Zoji La is 9 km (5.6 mi) from Sonamarg and provides a vital link between Ladakh and Kashmir. It runs at an elevation of approximately 3,528 metres (11,575 ft), and is the second highest pass after Fotu La on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway. It is often closed during winter, though the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is working to extend traffic to most parts of the year. The Beacon Force unit of the BRO is responsible for clearing and maintenance of the road during winter.

 

 

12. Razdan Pass - 3,557 m

An uphill journey from Bandipur to Razdan pass 3, 557 m has a breathtaking view points where one can stop for a photo shoot. Shrine of Peer Bubo atop Razdan pass is looked after by the army regiment on duty in the Gurez region. The saint had come from Lahore in 1933 and was buried at Razdan pass. The trekking routes from Gurez and Tilel lead up to Gangabal and Sonmarg to its east and Drass, Dahanu and Zanskar to its north.