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Motorable Passes Of Ladakh
Ladakh is known as the land of the high passes, popularly known as
La's. Previously, when there wasn't any provision of aircraft, this
region of India could only be reached via high passes, one of the
reasons of this region's remote look. The Zoji La pass connecting it
to Kashmir lies at 14,000 ft and is the lowest approach from the
western part of Himalayan range. The southeast approach has to cross
the 18,200 ft high Tanglang La and to the north lie the passes of
Saser La and the Karakoram, also known as the Gateways to Central
Asia, from where trading caravans used to come in the ancient times.
The high grade trek
routes meeting on Leh via Padam in Zanskar also start from Kishtwar
over the Umasila, Udaipur in Lahaul over the Sersank and Poat La and
from Zanskar crossing the strenuous Charcharla. Perhaps the most
popular pass of all is the Shingola, which still serves as an major
route from Lahaul to Zanskar extending over the Sirsirla to Lamayuru.
The route to Kargil over the Pensila has also now become partly
motorable.
7 to 8 days trek from
Leh over moderately high passes end with visits to the Markha
valley, Stok village and the celebrated Hemis monastery.
Acclimatisation is very essential in these parts of Ladakh. Day
visits from Leh can take tourists in the Buddhist monasteries
dotting the Indus valley, high altitude polo and the unique amalgam
of Buddhism and Islam in the high altitude desert. Leh bazaar itself
takes you back to the oldest trade routes to Tibet.
On the north and eastern exits of the Indus valley in Ladakh are two
of the world's highest motorable passes: Khardungla at 18,300 ft for
the Nubra valley and Taglangala at 17,500 ft on the Manali road.
Khardungla works as the Karakoram gateway to the vast confluence of
the Shyok and Nubra rivers, Saser Kangri peak and its associated
lofty ranges. Moving eastwards in the same district, over the
Changla at 17,000 ft, the road winds its way to the salty
Pangyong-tso and Tso Moriri lakes at 14,000 ft on the edge of the
Tibetan plateau, where the traveller may sight the nomadic herdsmen
of the Changthang, the black-necked Crane or the elusive Snow
Leopard.
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Passes in Himachal Pradesh
The treks in Himachal are the jackpot for trekkers. In Himachal
Pradesh the treks vary from moderate to strenuous ones, ranging upto
two weeks, especially the one done on high altitude passes. Kunzum
Pass provides chief access to the Lahaul valley by the great Kunzum
range. This pass is safer and ascending and descending for trekking
from here is quite easy.
The Baralacha Pass is an 8-km long pass situated at a unique yet
spectacular location of 16,400 feet. Here, routes from Zanskar,
Ladakh and Lahaul meet. The popular Rohtang Pass in Himachal is the
highest motorable point, 4,112m, on the Manali - Keylong road,
providing limited skiing but numerous trekking challenges. The other
Pin Parbati Pass also provides extreme challenging treks for
trekkers.
Most of the passes in Uttaranchal provide a connection to the
various pilgrimage sites of the state. The 16-km long trek to
Kedarnath is a must for those in good physical health as it affords
fabulous views of the high Garhwal peaks. Bali Pass is situated
between the Tons valley and the Yamunotri valleys and the route
descends through open meadows and later through forests that lead to
the Yamunotri shrine. Dharashi Pass is the first pass enroute to the
Nanda Devi Sanctuary.
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Usually people go for trekking in Sikkim to enjoy the splendour of
the eastern Himalayas and Kanchenjunga, and the three mountain
passes Jelap La, Nathu la and Chiwabhanjang that lead to the Tibetan
valley, with their high altitudes, command a magnificent view of the
mountain ranges.
Trekking Provisions
For trekking in the passes professionally operated ground
transportation, trained staff and good quality equipment are
available in major hill towns and cities situated within the
Himalayan region. Ideally, by crossing a pass one may avoid
backtracking and experience the union between different valleys.
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Passes
provide the gateway to inaccessible points of the Indian Himalayan
regions. As some of the parts in Northern India get totally cut out from
the rest of the country during the harsh winter months, these passes
become the only reaching solution to those areas. Nowadays these passes
not only provide a solution to connect remote areas and people living in
those areas but have also become the most reliable source of
communication in the upper reaches of the Himalayan regions.
