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.
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
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.
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.
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.
