Mountain Passes in India: A Guide to the Himalayan Passes

There's a moment on every Himalayan pass when the engine note drops, the prayer flags start snapping in the wind and a whole new valley opens up below you. India has dozens of these crossings, from tarmac switchbacks above Manali to glaciated cols you can only reach on foot. This guide to the mountain passes in India pulls them together in one place: where each pass is, roughly how high it sits, whether you can drive it, what it connects and when it's usually open.

We've grouped the Himalayan passes of India by region: Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim with Arunachal Pradesh. Where a TrailX route actually crosses a pass, we link it, so you can open the map, check the elevation profile and see the climb before you commit. The interactive map above shows every pass we could place reliably.

How to read this guide

A few ground rules before the tables.

• Altitudes are approximate. We give commonly cited figures, rounded, and we avoid signboard heights where better numbers exist. Signs on Indian passes are famous for optimism: Khardung La's board has long claimed about 5,602 m, while its Wikipedia entry gives about 5,359 m. Where sources disagree and we couldn't settle it, we've left the altitude blank rather than guess.
• "Motorable" means a road crosses the pass. "Yes (restricted)" means there is a road but it's closed to general traffic or civilians, or open only with special permission. "No" means foot only, and "closed border" means the pass sits on an international border that isn't open for travel.
• Seasons are typical, not promises. Snow, landslides and roadworks shift opening dates every year.
• Permits change. Much of the high country here is a permit area, and some passes are military zones. Treat our access notes as a starting point and confirm the current rules locally.
• TrailX routes are matched by GPS. We only list a route against a pass if its recorded track comes within 600 m of the pass. A dash means we don't have a crossing route yet.

Ladakh: the highest road passes in India

Ladakh is where the big numbers live. Several of the highest motorable passes in India are here, strung along the Leh–Manali Highway, the Srinagar–Leh road and the newer border roads of Changthang. If you're planning a drive, our Ladakh destination page and the Ladakh off-road routes are good places to start.

Khardung La (≈5,359 m) is the pass everyone has heard of. It climbs from Leh in the Indus valley over the Ladakh Range and drops to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. Two TrailX routes cross it: the Leh to Leh - Nubra Circuit, an on-road loop of 534.3 km with 6,736 m of climbing rated Moderate, and the epic Hanges Boots Ladakh Circuit, a 2,445.1 km off-road tour with 23,313 m of ascent rated Hard. Ignore the old signboard figure; the pass is high enough without it.

Chang La (≈5,360 m) carries the road from Leh via Karu and Sakti to Durbuk, Tangtse and Pangong Lake. The approaches can turn to loose dirt and slush after winter, so drive it early in the day. Four TrailX routes go over it, including the Nubra circuit above and the Leh - Chang chemno trail, a Hard 198.6 km off-road route with 3,948 m of ascent.

Tanglang La, Lachulung La and Nakee La are the three high crossings on the Ladakh end of the Leh–Manali Highway. Tanglang La (≈5,328 m) tops out above the More Plains, while Nakee La (≈4,740 m) and Lachulung La (≈5,060 m) follow the long climb up the Gata Loops towards Pang. The Hanges Boots circuit crosses all three, and The great Ladakh Expedition (2,105.8 km, 25,697 m of ascent, Hard) crosses Nakee La and Lachulung La.

Umling La (≈5,799 m) and Mig La (≈5,913 m) are the record-breakers. The road over Umling La, between Chisumle and Demchok, held the title of world's highest motorable road from 2017 until 2025, when the Border Roads Organisation completed a higher road over nearby Mig La. Both sit close to the Line of Actual Control, so permits and local rules matter more than usual here.

Marsimik La (≈5,582 m) links the Pangong side to the Chang Chenmo valley. It's a restricted military area. The Leh - Chang chemno trail on TrailX does cross it, but treat that track as reference only: don't attempt the pass without the special permission it requires.

Shingo La (Shinku La) crosses from Darcha in Lahaul to Zanskar. It was long a classic trekking pass and now carries the Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road; published altitudes vary between about 4,900 and 5,100 m. Three TrailX routes cross it, including the Manali to Leh - Zanskar Route, an on-road route of 422.4 km with 7,296 m of climbing rated Hard.

Pensi La (≈4,400 m) is the gateway to Zanskar on the Kargil–Padum road, open roughly six to seven months a year. The Umba La expedition, a Hard off-road route of 259.1 km and 3,639 m of ascent, crosses it. On the Srinagar–Leh highway, Fotu La (≈4,108 m) is the highest point, with Namika La (≈3,700 m) a little further west; the Hanges Boots circuit crosses both.

For trekkers, Umasi La joins Zanskar with Kishtwar's Paddar region. The short Umasi La Pass Crossing on TrailX is 9.6 km with 734 m of ascent and rated Hard: a lot of climbing for a short distance. Ganda La (≈4,980 m) and Kongmaru La are the two passes on the popular Markha valley trek in Hemis National Park, usually walked between mid-June and mid-October.

Jammu & Kashmir: the Pir Panjal gateways

The passes of Jammu & Kashmir are lower than Ladakh's, but they're the hinges of the region: Zoji La opens the road to Ladakh, and the Pir Panjal passes link the Kashmir Valley with Jammu, Poonch and Kishtwar. See our Jammu & Kashmir page for routes in the region.

Zoji La links Sonamarg in the Kashmir Valley with Drass and Kargil on NH 1, and it's the first big obstacle on the road to Ladakh. It's often closed in winter, and an all-weather tunnel has been under construction to bypass it. The Hanges Boots circuit and the Mushkoh Valley via Kaubal Gali route (937.8 km off-road, 12,176 m of ascent, Hard) both cross it. We haven't given an altitude because the sources we checked disagree.

Razdan Pass (≈3,556 m) is the only road into the Gurez valley from Bandipora and closes for three to four months in winter. The Mushkoh Valley route crosses this one too.

Sinthan Top (≈3,800 m) and Margan Top are the two road passes into Kishtwar's Warwan and Marwah valleys. Both the Warwan Valley trail (180.2 km off-road, 4,430 m of ascent, Hard) and Kishtwar to Warwan - Chenab Divide (183 km on-road, 4,418 m, Moderate) cross both passes.

Pir Panjal Pass (Peer Ki Gali, ≈3,490 m) is the high point of the Mughal Road between Shopian and Poonch. Sadhna Pass (≈3,130 m) links the Kashmir Valley with Karnah in Kupwara; the Chowkibal to Teetwal - Mountain Route crosses it in 59.6 km with 1,207 m of ascent, rated Hard. Both areas are close to the Line of Control, so check local rules first. Banihal Pass is mostly history now: road traffic has used the Jawahar Tunnel beneath it since 1956.

Himachal Pradesh: Lahaul, Spiti and the trekking cols

Himachal has the widest mix: famous road passes into Lahaul and Spiti, the long Leh–Manali Highway climb to Baralacha La, and some of the best trekking crossings in the Indian Himalaya. Browse the Himachal Pradesh destination page, or jump straight to Himachal hiking trails and Himachal off-road routes.

Rohtang Pass (≈3,980 m) was for decades the gatekeeper between the Kullu valley and Lahaul. Since the Atal Tunnel opened, the main road between Manali and Lahaul bypasses it. Check the current vehicle permit rules before you go.

Baralacha La (≈4,890 m) sits near the source of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers on the Leh–Manali Highway, close to the Ladakh border. The Hanges Boots circuit and The great Ladakh Expedition both cross it. The highway is usually open from about May to October.

Kunzum Pass (≈4,551 m) links Lahaul with Spiti on NH505 and is normally open from June or July to October or November. Sach Pass (≈4,414 m) is the narrow, unmetalled road from Chamba into the Pangi valley, open from about June to mid-October. The Chamba to Killar - Saach Pass route covers it in 173.1 km with 9,661 m of ascent, rated Hard.

Jalori Pass (≈3,140 m) is the road pass between the Tirthan valley and Ani, on the alternate route between Shimla and Kullu. On TrailX it's crossed by a long on-road route listed as Pin Bhabha pass trek (487.9 km, 9,942 m of ascent, Moderate). Chanshal Pass links Rohru with Dodra Kwar and is usually open from May to November; the Dehradun to Dehradun - Himalayan Loop (559 km on-road, 10,728 m, Moderate) goes over it.

For trekkers, Hampta Pass is the classic crossing from the green Kullu side into the stark Chandra valley. The Hampta Pass Hiking trail is 35.1 km with 2,304 m of ascent and rated Extreme. Pin Parvati Pass (≈5,319 m) is a serious, glaciated crossing from the Parvati valley to Spiti's Pin valley. Despite its name, the TrailX Pin Bhaba pass trek track crosses Pin Parvati Pass, not Bhaba Pass: 98.6 km, 4,264 m of ascent, Extreme.

Parang La (≈5,578 m) is the old trade route from Kibber in Spiti to Karzok on Tso Moriri. The Khiber - Tso Moriri (Parang La trail) is 94.8 km with 2,056 m of ascent, rated Extreme. Nearby Takling La runs parallel at a similar height. Indrahar Pass (≈4,342 m) above Dharamshala and Thamsar Pass (≈4,750 m) into Bara Bhangal are the big Dhauladhar crossings, while Bhaba Pass (≈4,890 m) links Kinnaur's Bhaba valley with the Pin valley.

A pass is only halfway. The descent on the far side is often longer, steeper and later in the day than the climb, so plan the whole crossing, not just the top.

Uttarakhand: glaciers, pilgrim routes and border passes

Uttarakhand's passes are mostly on foot, and many are serious undertakings: Kalindi Khal, Auden's Col and Traill's Pass are mountaineering-grade crossings. The northern border passes are restricted. Explore the Uttarakhand destination page, Uttarakhand hiking trails, off-road routes and scenic drives.

Kalindi Khal (≈5,942 m) is a heavily glaciated pass between Gangotri and the Badrinath side, and one of the best-known high treks in Garhwal. The Gangotri - Tapovan - Nadanvan - Kalindi khal route covers 64.5 km with 3,088 m of ascent and is rated Extreme. Go with an experienced team and the right permits.

Rupin Pass (≈4,650 m) runs from Dhaula in Uttarakhand to Sangla in Kinnaur, on trails cut into rock faces, over glaciers and across snowfields. The Rupin Pass Trail is 76.6 km with 2,767 m of ascent, rated Extreme. Its neighbours Bali Pass (Har Ki Dun to Yamunotri) and Borasu Pass (≈5,450 m) (Har Ki Dun to Chitkul) both start from the Sankri side.

In the far east of the state, Sin La links the Darma valley with the Kuthi Yankti valley, close to the border, so check the permit rules first. The Sin la pass trails route is 54 km with 2,890 m of ascent, rated Extreme.

Lipulekh Pass is the border crossing used by the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and for regulated trade with Tibet. Two TrailX off-road routes, Kalapani to Lipulekh Pass Expedition (21.4 km, 1,325 m, Hard) and Nabi to Kailash Road - Nabhidang (33.7 km, 1,847 m, Hard), run along the approach road. Access is tightly controlled, so only travel here with the permits the authorities require. Mana Pass carries a military road to the border above Badrinath, and Niti Pass has been sealed since 1962; neither is open to visitors.

Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh: the eastern passes

In the east, most famous passes are border crossings, and visits run on permits arranged in advance. We don't have a dedicated destination page for these states yet, so see our India destination page for routes across the country.

Sela Pass (≈4,170 m) carries NH 13 between Dirang and Tawang and is usually open all year, with the Sela Tunnel now running about 400 m below it. Nathu La (≈4,310 m) above Gangtok is part of the domestic tourist circuit but can only be visited with a permit, and the rules differ for Indian and foreign nationals. Bum La near Tawang needs a special permit from the Deputy Commissioner's office in Tawang plus an army stamp.

Goecha La (≈4,940 m) is the trekking highlight of Sikkim, with a view straight onto the southeast face of Kangchenjunga from inside Khangchendzonga National Park. In North Sikkim, the North Sikkim Loop (Dongkya la trail) crosses Dongkya La on a 160 km off-road loop with 2,994 m of ascent, rated Hard, in a protected area that needs permits.

Permits and restricted passes

Permits are the part of a Himalayan pass trip that changes most often, so we'll keep this general.

• Permit areas. Large parts of Ladakh, Spiti, Kinnaur, North Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are inner-line or protected areas, and Indian and foreign visitors often need different permits. Rules, fees and where to apply change, so check with the district administration or official tourism portal shortly before you go.
• Restricted and border passes. Mana Pass, Niti Pass, Lipulekh, Bum La, Nathu La, Jelep La, Cho La, Shipki La, Marsimik La, Saser La, Karakoram Pass and Mig La are on or near international borders or inside military zones. Some can be visited with special permission; others are closed. Don't try to reach them without the right paperwork, and never cross into an area you've been told is off-limits.
• National parks. Treks such as Kalindi Khal, Goecha La, Ganda La and the Nanda Devi area need park permits, and some cap visitor numbers.
• Carry copies. Checkpoints are common on the roads to the passes. Keep printed permits and ID handy.

Staying safe on high passes

Altitude, not distance, is what makes these crossings hard. The full list of do's and don'ts lives in our guide to crossing Himalayan mountain passes, but the essentials are simple.

1. Acclimatise first. Spend a couple of nights at altitude before tackling a pass above 5,000 m. Leh, Kaza and Padum are natural stops.
2. Start early. Mornings are calmer and clearer, streams are lower and roads are firmer before the afternoon melt.
3. Watch the weather. Snow can fall on high passes in any month. Turn back if conditions change.
4. Don't linger at the top. Take your photos and head down; the higher you sit, the harder your body works.
5. Prepare the vehicle. Fuel stops are far apart, so fill up whenever you can. Our first overlanding trip checklist and off-road terrain analysis guide help you size up a route before you drive it.
6. Take the map offline. Signal disappears quickly up here. Download the GPX for your route and save regional maps in the TrailX app before you leave town.

For general safety and kit lists, see our safety guidelines and gear checklist.

Sources

We checked every pass against published sources and marked anything we couldn't confirm.

• Wikipedia articles for individual passes and routes, especially List of mountain passes of India, Leh–Manali Highway and Umling La. Our full list of per-pass sources sits alongside this guide.
• OpenStreetMap (via Nominatim) for pass coordinates.
• TrailX GPS tracks, compared point by point against each pass coordinate.

Where to next?

• Crossing Himalayan mountain passes: do's and don'ts
• Ladakh off-road routes
• Himachal Pradesh hiking trails
• Uttarakhand hiking trails
• Planning your first overlanding trip
• Get the TrailX app for offline maps