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 neighboring Regions and well as the Passes within Ladakh connecting the different areas in Ladakh. We try and list them up
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
Passes into Kashmir
We try and summarize a list of Passes that provide entry /. exit into the Kashmir Valley besides the Gorge of the Jehlum River.
Kashmir Valley : Passes
The Great European Explorer Godfrey Vigne was one of the first outsiders who managed to travel into Kashmir in the period of 1835 to 1838 and write at great lengths about. That was indeed a very interesting time in the History of the region as the power of the Indomitable Sher – e – Punjab was reaching its Zenith and within just a little more than a decade the mighty Empire built by the Great Ranjit Singh would lie in shambles and it would see the emergence of Maharaja Gulab Singh as the first Dogra Raja of Jammu and Kashmir. To understand the history of present day Kashmir one has to go right back to the time of Ranjit Singh to really get a grasp on facts.
But as we focus on Geography rather than history let me get back to Vigne. During his contant travels in and out of the Valley, Vigne listed atleast 20 Passes from all directions from which one could enter or exit the Valley. As I have not read his epic Travels in Kashmir, Ladak, Iskardo, the countries adjoining the mountain-course of the Indus, and the Himalaya, north of the Panjab. Volume I/ II but have just managed to land a PDF copy of the same I was trying to hazard a guess as to what all Passes does Vigne refer to. So here I got to the best of my knowledge. Please add your comments and names that you think that have been missed out.
Note that in/around Kashmir names like Gali/ Top/ La are also used for a Pass.
The Motorable Ones go first
1. The Banihal Pass : On the main Highway from Srinagar to Jammu. Of course now the Tunnel makes it very accessible.
2. The Pir Ki Gali : On the newly opened for traffic Mughal Road from Jammu to Srinagar
3. The Sinthan/ Simthan Pass : On the road linking Kashmir to Kishtwar
4. The Margan Top : Recently opened connects Kashmir to Warwan Valley in Kishtwar
5. The Zoji La : Pretty well known connecting the Kashmir Valley to the Ladakh region
6. The Razdhan Pass : Also called Tragbal Pass. Connects the Kashmir Valley to Guraiz which is actually a part of Baltistan of the old.
7. The Pir Panjal Pass : Connects Kashmir to POK. Not under Indian control
8. The HajiPir Pass : Connects Uri in Kashmir to Poonch. Not under Indian control
Other historical Passes in the Pir Panjals (South and West of the Valley). Just came across the names as classical passes which
traverse the Pir Panjal into the Kashmir Valley.
9. The RatanPir Pass
10. The Bairam Gala Pass
11. The Gulabgarh Pass
Some Passes mentioned on the Poonch/ Reasi side into the Konsarnag area in the Pir Panjals
12. Nalla Shergadi
13. Ropri Pass
14. Konsargali Pass
15. Zamian Pass
Some Passes on the Poonch to Gulmarg/ Yusmarg , Kashmir axis
16. Jamia Gali
17. Nurpur Gali
18. Choti Gali
19. Chor Gali
20. Nandan Gali
21. Jamianwali Gali
Passes from the East (Warwan Valley in Kishtwar towards Kashmir). Almost all these Passes lead into the adjoining Lidder Valley
22. Gulol Gali Pass
23. Kralsar Pass
24. Rangmarg Pass
25. Odir Gali
North towards Ladakh
26. Burzil Pass : Traditional Pass on the road from Gurez to Skardu (If we consider Razdhan Pass then this one no longer should be
in the list.
Additions by Farooq Sofi Sir
27. Nastichun Pass : Also referred to as Sadhna Pass. Connecting Kashmir with Karnah Valley
28. Tootmar Gali : Connecting Kashmir to Leepa Valley.
Thats my list.
Kiki’s Blog
Stories from the Himalayas
Five years ago the Galwan Valley was in the News for the wrong reasons after a deadly clash between the Indian and Chinese Armies in the Valley located in Ladakh lead to many deaths on the contentious Border between the two countries in wake of continued Chinese intrusions into Indian territory.
This area along the Shyok River, of which the Galwan Nallah or the Galwan River which forms the Galwan Valley has been off limits to Civilians since long but now the Indian Government has decided to open up the area for Civilians and we were amongst the First Civilians to venture into this beautifully desolate part of the Eastern Karakorams in Ladakh. Earlier Civilians could only venture upto the Village of Shyok from where the Shyok River takes a U turn and flows in a Northerly direction.