Passes of the Western Himalayas

Jammu and Kashmir

NAME

SIGNIFICANCE (CONNECTS)

COMMENTS

Mintaka Pass

• Trijunction of India-China and Afghanistan border

Parpik Pass

• East of Mintaka pass on the Indo-China border

Khunjerab Pass

• Indo-China border

Aghil Pass

• 5000 m above sea level.
• north of K2 Peak (the highest peak in India and the second highest peak in the world)

Banihal Pass

• 2832 m
•  across the Pir-Panjal Range
• remains snow covered during winter season

• The road from Jammu to Srinagar transversed Banihal Pass until 1956 when Jawahar Tunnel was constructed under the pass. The road now passes through the tunnel and the Banihal Pass is no longer used for road transport.
• Another 11 km long tunnel provides railway link between Banihal and Kazigund. It was thrown open to railway transport in July, 2013

Chang-La

• altitude of 5360 m
• This has a temple dedicated to Chang-La Baba after whom the temple has been named

Khardung La

• 5602 m

The world’s highest motorable road passes through this pass

• remains closed in winter due to heavy snowfall

Lanak La

• this pass provides passage between Ladak and Lhasa. A road to connect Xinjiang Province with Tibet has been constructed by the Chinese

Pir-Panjal pass

Qara Tag La

• located at an elevation of over six thousand metres

Imis La

Pensi La

• remains closed to traffic from November to mid-May due to heavy snowfall

Zoji La

• The road passing through this pass has been designated at the National Highway (NH-1D)
• Border Road Organisation (BRO) is responsible for maintaining the road and cleaning it off snow during winter. In spite of all these efforts, the road through this pass remains closed from December to mid-May

Himachal Pradesh

Bara Lacha La

• Elevation: 4,890 m
• National highway connecting Mandi in Himachal Pradesh with Leh in Jammu and Kashmir passes through this pass. Being situated at high altitude, it remains snow covered in winter and is not used as a transport route.

Debsa Pass

• elevation of 5270 m above sea level
• It offers a much easier and shorter alternative route to traditional Pin-Parbati Pass route between Kullu and Spiti

Rohtang Pass

• Elevation: 3979 m
• Border Road Organisation (BRO) is responsible for constructing and maintaining roads in this area. Rohtang pass is a great tourist attraction and traffic jams are very common because this route is widely used by military, public and private vehicles.

Shipki La

• Elevation: 6000 m
• Remains closed in winter season (Nov – Apr)

Uttarakhand

Lipu Lekh

Mana Pass

• elevation of 5610
• Situated a little north of the holy place of Badhrinath
• Remains closed in winter season (Nov – Apr)

Mangsha Dhura

Niti Pass

• Remains closed in winter season (Nov – Apr)

Muling La

• situated in the north of Gangotri
• at an elevation of 5669 m in the Great Himalayas

Passes of the Eastern Himalayas

Sikkim

Nathu La

• altitude of 4310 m
• it forms part of an offshoot of the ancient Silk Route
• an important trade route between India and China
• It was closed after the Chinese aggression on India in 1962 but was reopened in 2006 as the governments of the two countries decided to enhance their trade through land routes

Jelep La

• altitude of 4538 m
• passes through Chumbi Valley
• important link between Sikkim and Lhasa

Arunachal Pradesh

Bom Di La

• altitude of 4331 m
• Situated at an altitude of 4331 m near the western boundary of Bhutan in the Greater Himalayas, this pass connects Arunachal Pradesh with Lhasa

Dihang Pass

• elevation of more than 4000 m it provides passage

Yonggyap Pass

Dipher Pass

• easy access between Arunachal Pradesh and Mandalay in Myanmar. It is an important land trade route between India and Myanmar and remains open throughout the year.

Kumjawng Pass

Hpungan Pass

Chankan Pass