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Important Passes of Himalayas

May 8, 2025
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Passes of J&K and Ladakh

Banihal Pass (Jawahar Tunnel):

  • Located in Pir Panjal Range in Jammu and Kashmir, at 9,291 ft.

  • Connects Banihal with Qazigund.

  • In the Kashmiri language, Banihal means blizzard.

Zoji La Pass:

  • Connects Srinagar with Kargil to Leh.

Burjil Pass:

  • Stretch b/w Kashmir, Gilgit, and Srinagar.

  • It is an ancient route in India

  • Connects the Kashmir Valley with the Deccan Plains of Ladakh.

  • It lies on the Line of Control b/w India and Pakistan.

  • It also connects Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Kashmir Valley.

Pensi La:

  • Situated to the east of Jozi La.

  • Connects Kashmir Valley with Kargil (Ladakh).

  • It is known as the gateway of Zanskar.

  • It connects the Zanskar Valley region with the Suru Valley region.

Pir Panjal Pass:

  • Located in the Pirpanjal range.

  • A traditional pass from Jammu to Srinagar.

  • Closed after the partition.

  • Shortest roadway access to Kashmir valley from Jammu.

Chang La Pass:

  • The pass of the Great Himalaya at an altitude of 5360m.

  • It is the third-highest motorable pass in the world.

  • Connects Ladakh with Tibet.

  • Lies on the route from Leh to Pangong Lake.

  • It is named after the temple of Chang La Baba.

Lanak La Pass:

  • Aksai Chin in Ladakh region.

  • Connects Ladakh and Lhasa.

  • China has built a road that connects Xinjiang province to Tibet.

Khardung La Pass:

  • The highest motorable pass in the world at an altitude 5602m.

  • Connects Shyok and Nubra valleys.

  • Connects Leh and Siachen glaciers.

Imis La:

  • Connects Ladakh to Tibet

Aghil Pass:

  • Situated in the north of K2 in Karakoram Range.

  • Connects Ladakh with Xinjiang province of China.

  • In winter it is closed from the first week of November to May.

Khunjerab Pass:

It is located in the Karakoram mountains on the southwestern border of China’s Zhejiang region and the north border of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.

Thang La:

  • Situated in the Ladakh region.

  • This pass is the second-highest transportable pass in India after Khardung La.

Mintaka Pass:

  • Tri Junction of India-China-Afghanistan border.

Qara Tagh Pass:

  • Located in the Karakoram mountains.

  • A subsidiary of the ancient silk route.

Passes of Himachal Pradesh

Shipki La Pass:

  • Located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

  • Located in the Zanskar Range.

  • Passes through Sutlej George.

  • Connects Himachal Pradesh with Tibet.

  • India’s third border post for trade with China after Nathu La and Lipulekh.

Debsa Pass:

  • Connect Kullu and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh.

  • This pass passes through the Parvati Valley River in Kullu.

Rohtang Pass:

  • Connects Kullu, Spiti and Lahaul.

  • Located in the Pir Panjal Range.

  • Its old name is Bhrigu Tung.

Bara – Lacha Pass:

  • Situated on the National Highway in J&K.

  • Connects Manali and Leh.

  • This is the highest pass in Zanskar Range.

Chanshal Pass:

  • Connects Dodara Quar and Rohdu in the Shima district of Himachal Pradesh.

Passes of Uttarakhand

Lipu Lekh:

  • Located in Pithoragarh.

  • Connects the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand to Purang in Tibet.

  • Pilgrims for Kailash-Manasarovar travel through this route.

  • Important border post for trade with China.

Mana Pass:

  • Located in the Great Himalayas.

  • It is also known as Chirbitaya La or Dungri La.

  • It is near the famous Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand.

  • Connects Uttarakhand with Tibet.

  • Situated in the Kumaon Range of Uttarakhand.

Muling La:

  • It is a seasonal pass.

  • Situated in the north of Gangotri.

  • Connects Uttarakhand with Tibet.

Niti Pass:

  • Connects Uttarakhand with Tibet.

Traill’s Pass:

  • Situated b/w Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot peaks.

  • Situated on the brick of the Pindari glacier.

  • Connects Pindari Valley to Millan Valley.

Passes of Sikkim

Nathu La Pass:

  • Located on the Indo-China border connects to Tibet.

  • This pass is a branch of the ancient silk route.

  • One of the trading border posts b/w India and China.

  • It was opened for the first time in 2006 after the India-China war(1962).

Jelep La Pass:

  • Situated in the Chumbi Valley, East Sikkim.

  • Connects Sikkim with Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.

Passes of Arunachal Pradesh

Bomdi La:

  • Connects Arunachal Pradesh with Lhasa.

  • Located in the east of Bhutan.

Dihang Pass: Connects Arunachal Pradesh with Myanmar

Diphu Pass: an easy and alternate route to Myanmar.

Lekhapani: Connects Arunachal Pradesh with Myanmar

Pangsan Pass: Arunachal Pradesh with Myanmar

Yonggyap Pass: Arunachal Pradesh with Tibet.

Kumjawng Pass: Arunachal Pradesh with Myanmar

Chankan Pass: Arunachal Pradesh with Myanmar