La - Dvags : Ladakh, The Land of Passes
Ladakh, the word comes from the derivation of the of the Tibetan word for the region “La Dvags” which literally means the Land of Passes. Of course there are N number of Passes within Ladakh so we try and enumerate the Passes which connect Ladakh with its neighbouring Regions and well as the Passes within Ladakh connecting the different areas in Ladakh.
To the South
Zoji La (3505 m) : The most famous of all the Passes and also one of the lowest altitude Passes in the Great Himalayan Range. Its motorable for almost 7 months in the years
Bhotkol Pass/ Lonvilad Gali (4200m) : A Pass between Suru starting from Panikhar and Warwan Valley. Also called the Salt Route in the days of the old. Also connects to the Lidder Valley through the Gulol Pass.
Shafat La : Another Pass between Suru and Warwan Valley in Kishtwar. The Pass lies beyond the Shafat Glacier at the base of the Nun Kun
Chilung La (5294 m) : A Pass between Zanskar and the Marwah Valley in Kishtwar
Omasi La : (5590 m) : The Omasi La (5590m) trek is a lesser known trek in the Indian Himalayas. The trek begins from the village of Gulabgarh on the J&K - Himachal Border. The areas has been closed for many years after the insurgency began in Kashmir
Hagshu La :
Poat La (5490 m) : Poat La 5490 m/18011 ft consider to be one of the highest passes in whole of Himalaya and the Sersank pass a.k.a. Shiv Shankar La 5130 m / 16,830 ft located at the head of Lugai Nala,
Kang La : (5468 m) : The Kang La was the traditional route used by Lahaulis(people from Lahaul) to cross over into Zanskar and on to Ladakh.
Shinkun La : Connects Zanskar with Lahaul in the south. A Motorable Road is now being built here.
Baralacha La (4892 m) : I guess everyone has heard of this one. Motorable for 6 months
Parang La : Connects Spiti with Ladakh through Rupshu
Long Lacha La : Connected Ladakh with Rampur Bushahr ?
Thung Lung La : Connected Ladakh with Rampur Bushahr ?
To the North
Khardung La (5615m ?) : One of the highest Motorable Passes in the World and connects the Indus Valley to the Nubra Valley.
Sasser La (5411 m) : A Pass in the Karakorams on the old Leh Yarkand Route towards Central Asia.
Karakoram La : Ahead of the Sasser La is the Karakoram Pass. A Strategic Pass where Ladakh meets Turkestan (Xinijang)
To the West
Fotu La (4108 m) : It is a Pass which connect Leh with the Kargil Region (Purig). Fully Motorable and open almost throughout the Year.
Namika La (3719 m) : It is a Pass which connect Leh with the Kargil Region (Purig). Fully Motorable and open almost throughout the Year.
Chorbat La (5145 m) : A Pass which connected Skardu to Leh via Khaplu and the Nubra Valley over the Khardung La
Marpo La (5353) : In the Drass Sector on the Line of Control
Kaobal La : Connects Drass in Ladakh to the Gurez Valley through Muskoh. Motorable but restricted for Civilians
To the East
Chang La (5360 m) : Connects the Leh area with the Changthang.
Marsimik La (5582 m)
OTHER PASSES
Ane La : The Easternmost of the Passes listed here. Lead towards the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary from beyond Pangong Tso
Charchar La : This Pass connects Zangla to Sumdo in the Zanskar Valley
Digar La : This Pass connects Leh with Agham in the Nubra Valley. An alternative for Khardung La
Horlam La : Connects Tso Moriri and Karzok to Debring on the Manali Leh Road and comes after the Kartse La
Kakset La : This Pass connects Chusul to Mahe in Chumathang Valley
Kangla Jal La
Kanji La : Connects Rangdum to Henasku in the Indus Valley along the Leh Kargil Road
Kartse La : Connects Tso Moriri and Karzok to Debring on the Manali Leh Road after further crossing the Panguangu La.
Kiagar La : Connects the Kiagar Tso to Puga Sumdo.
Lachulung La (5059 m) : A Pass on the main Manali Leh Highway after the Baralacha La and before the More Plains
Lamzo La : This Pass connects Lukung on the banks of the Tso Moriri to Changra in the Changthang.
Lenak La : This Pass connects Hanle to Chumur
Lumkang La (5769 m) : A Pass in the Changthang close to Chamkang and Nischu
Namshang La (4960 m)
Marang La : This Pass connects Sangtha in Lower Markha Valley to Sutak in Zanskar
Panguangu La : This Pass connects Niyar by the Tso Kar to Debring on the Manali Leh Road
Parpi La : This Pass connects Pidma to Lingshet in the Zanskar Valley.
Pensi La (4400 m) : This Pass connects the Zanskar Valley with the Suru Valley.
Phitse La : This Pass comes after Shinku La on the way to Zanskar from Lahaul. Would be connected by Motorable Road in the coming future.
Pogmar La : This Pass connects Pang to Sanghta in the Lower Markha Valley
Polokong Ka La (5000 m) : This Pass connects Puga Sumdo to Nilyar by the Tso Kar.
Rubarung La : This Pass connects Tilut Sumdo in the Zanskar Valley to Hankar in Markha Valley.
Salsal La : Connects Nayoma to Chumur passing by the Chilling Tso and the Kyun Tso after coming through the Thit Zarbo Pass.
Singe La : This Pass connects Nerag in the Zanskar Valley to the Indus Valley at Hanupatta.
Tanglang La (5359m): Another famous Pass which connects the More Plains with the Indus Valley and on the main Manali Leh Highway.
Telekon La : This Pass connects Tangleb on the banks of the Tso Moriri to Pang on the Manali Leh Highway.
Thit Zarbo La : Connects Nayoma to Chumur passing by the Chilling Tso and the Kyun Tso after further crossing the Salsal La
Umba La : This Pass connects the Drass Valley with the Suru Valley and bypasses Kargil
Umling La (5883 m)
Wakha La : The Pass after Kanji La which connects Rangdum in Zanskar to Henasku in the Indus Valley on the main Leh Kargil Road.
Wari La (5300 m): Connects Karu on the Leh Manali Road to Agham in the Nubra Valley.
Yar La : Connects Sangtha in Lower Markha Valley to Khurna in the Markha Valley.
Zalung Karpo La (5200m) : Connects the Indus Valley with the Markha Valley