Lahaul and Spiti is one region in North India that is comparatively more accessible and impeccably beautiful. Home to some of the most thrilling passes in the state; its roads can sometimes feel scary. But the natural surroundings in the region somehow feel untouched and simply serene. Lack of connectivity and infrastructure in the past would often deter many travelers from exploring these roads. However, with improving facilities, things have been steadily growing for adventure tourism in the district. To help you with your Lahaul & Spiti plans; we have brought you a comprehensive travel list for passes in Lahaul and Spiti.
Exhilarating Passes of Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh
1. Kunzum La Pass (4550 m)
2. Chaksachan La Pass (5250 m)
3. Pin Parvati Pass (5400 m)
4. Ghunsarang La Pass (5500 m)
5. Lepcha la Pass
6. Kuli La Pass (4880 m)
7. Manirang Pass (5550 m)
8. North Ratang Col (5600 m)
9. Sanugba Col (5400 m)
10. Shijbang (4820 m)
11. Parang La Pass (5580 m)
12. South Ratang Pass (5600 m)
13. Syarma La Pass (5040 m)
14. ShillaJot (5670 m)
15. Takling La Pass (5500 m)
16. Yangzi Diwan (5890 m)
17. Bhaba Pass (4865 m)
18. Zingu Top (4510 m)
1. Kunzum La Pass (4550 m)
Kunzum La Pass is often known as the western gateway of the Spiti valley. The broad and easily crossable pass is counted among the highest motorable passes in the Himachal Pradesh. The road running through the pass connects Batal in the upper Chandra valley to Losar of the Spiti valley. While the ascent from upper Chandra valley is steep, descent towards Spiti valley is almost negligible. You can cross it on foot in the warmer months from May & June to October & November. Snowfall on Kunzum La is also much lower than the snowfall on Rohtang Pass. Depending on the seasonal snowfall, the route usually remains motorable from early August to late September.
2. Chaksachan La Pass (5250 m)
Positioned towards the eastern side of the Spiti valley, Chaksachan La Pass is situated between the bend of the Lingti River in eastern Spiti. With an eye bird view of Gyagar at its top; the pass leads you to the Lingti valley as the namesake river makes a curve.
3. Pin Parvati Pass (5400 m)
Next one on our list is a name that most Himalayan trekkers and adventure travellers must already be aware of, Pin Parvati Pass. Interestingly, this wasn’t discovered by local traders but a guy named Louis Dane. After spending good time investigating this pass; Dane finally crossed it in the year 1897. As the name itself suggests, it connects Pin valley in Lahaul & Spiti to the popular Parvati valley of Kullu. Thus, it in a way creates an alternative route avoiding the long round-about journey over the Kunzum la and Rohtang. This pass climbs up gradually over snowfields from Kullu before descending to the Pin valley in order to meet the Tari Khango pass route. Mud and Sagnam emerge as the first villages of Pin valley as you’ll finally reach Spiti in this journey.
4. Ghunsarang La Pass (5500 m)
Ghunsarang La Pass is locally known as Ghulla la. It connects Mane with Ropa by a bypass on the same ridge. It is an alternative pass situated near the even more exhilarating Manirang Pass.
5. Lepcha la Pass
Lepcha la which is also known as the Hangrang Pass connects the extreme southeastern end of the Spiti valley on one side with Shailkhar and Chango of Hangrang valley in Kinnaur on the other end. Small trees, bushes and vegetation on the pass offer a refreshing change to the more barren regions of the district. The pass remains navigable even during the winter months with bits of residuary snow.
6. Kuli La Pass (4880 m)
Kuli La Pass is to the south of Chaksachan la. Joining Lingti valley in the west with the Syrma valley in the eastern parts of Spiti, Kuli La Pass is located on the west side of the Lingti River.
7. Manirang Pass (5550 m)
Connecting the valleys of Spiti and Ropa; Manirang Pass is a high pass consisting of a 5km long stretch of snow-bed on the Ropa valley side along with a 3km snow covered route on the Spiti side. Travelers approach this pass from the Mane village which eventually leads to a steep descent towards the Ropa valley via a very narrow gorge. The tiring Manirang pass is not the ones for unskilled travelers or people with a faint heart. With almost no other traffic on the route; you will be going through tracks which can often be in really bad shape and even dangerous at a few points.
8. North Ratang Col (5600 m)
Located at the high altitude of 5600 m; North Ratang Col is situated on the shoulder of Ratang Tower peak. You can approach the pass from the side valley of Ratang and it will eventually lead on to the Gyundi valley in the North.
9. Sanugba Col (5400 m)
Ratang valley in west Spiti also neighbors a major side valley called Sanugba. Sanugba Col pass in the side valley of Ratang leads to this beautiful Sanugba valley.
10. Shijbang (4820 m)
Shijbang Pass lies in the Lingti valley at an altitude of 4820 m. It specifically lies ahead of the Lalung village. Thus once you cross the Zingu Top; a steep climb awaits you to cross this pass and finally descend to the tranquil Shijbang plains.
11. Parang La Pass (5580 m)
Parang la is one of the most popular passes among trekkers and adventure travelers in the district. It connects the Spiti valley to parts of Ladakh running alongside the Parilungbi River on the side of Spiti valley. A number of crevasses and a 3 km glacier on the northeast only add further to the difficulties and thrill of this pass.
12. South Ratang Pass (5600 m)
You can approach the South Ratang pass from the Pin-Khamengar valley. The route ahead requires you to approach the pass from a side valley through a more difficult and steep descent towards the Ratang side.
13. Syarma La Pass (5040 m)
Syarma La Pass links the Kuli la pass in the Lingti valley with the Syarma valley. The pass is geographically situated on the right side of the valley at an altitude of 5040 m finally leading via Syarma nala to the ShillaJot.
14. ShillaJot (5670 m)
Situated on the same ridge as Chau Chau Kang Nilda; ShillaJot pass is located at the high altitude of 5670 m. This pass actually divides Syarma Nala and Langja valley.
15. Takling La Pass (5500 m)
Situated at an altitude of 5500 m; Takling La pass serves as an alternative pass for Parang La. It also connects Spiti to regions of Ladakh but is rarely used in the present day, owning to more facilities at Parang La.
16. Yangzi Diwan (5890 m)
The term, “Yangzi Diwan” in its literal sense means ‘a new pass’. Located near the Paftlungbi Peak; Yangzi Diwan is a snow-bound pass linking the upper Lingti valley with the Pare Chu.
17. Bhaba Pass (4865 m)
The two passes located in the southwest of Pin valley link Spiti valley with Bhaba valley. It has long been a popular trade route linking the two valleys. A track emerging from Bhaba valley in district Kinnaur also forms the connection link for the Hindustan-Tibet road at Wangtu. Among the two aforementioned passes; eastern pass is called Taft Khango and its western counterpart is called Shakarode Pass; located at an altitude of 5100 m.
When we cross the Taft Khango (also known as Bhaba Pass) from the Pin valley side, it allows us to bypass the entire area of Kinnaur district to the east of Wangtu. Talking of terrains; when we start from Spiti, it is a much easier to navigate but it is quite a tiring journey on the rocky descent on the other side of the pass as we approach towards Bhaba valley.
18. Zingu Top (4510 m)
Last one on our list of all Lahaul & Spiti passes is the Zingu Top. This pass involves a steep climb from Lalung village in the Lingti valley to the depression in the ridge which finally leads to Shijbang Pass.
With that, we come to the end of our list of Lahaul & Spiti passes for adventure seeking souls. This sheer number is a testament to the vast scope of adventure tours that the Himachal Pradesh district has to offer. But, we must note here that the passes and treks of Lahaul and Spiti aren’t the easiest. Many of them are risky and dangerous requiring extreme fitness level and requisite skillset. So, enjoy the adventures. Explore our beautiful district of Lahaul and Spiti. But, keep your safety first. Keep showering love for your very own Insta Himachal and share it with all your travel buddies.
