Baralacha La Pass — Attraction in Himachal Pradesh

I had to cross mighty Baralacha Pass after 17:15. It was raining mildly at Sarchu. Mountains of Baralcha pass were covered with black clouds. I was sure that it's snowing at Baralcha top. Moreover, Baralcha pass was declared open just two day's back, that means road of Baralcha pass would be full of snow, slush and lots of hard ice. As I said, It was snowing on the summits of Baralcha pass. If the density of snow increase, Baralcha pass could get blocked again within hours. It was raining at Sarchu but not that fast. In fact, it was drizzling. That meant, the snowfall on the high summits was not that fierce. A snowfall of more than 3 or 4 feet can completely block the road. I thought, If it keeps snowing for more than 4 or 5 hours, it could block the road. It meant I had a window of 4 hours to cross the Baralacha pass. Out of that 4 hours, I had only two hours of poor daylight. Baralacha Pass is 25km far From Sarchu. As far as I Knew Road to Baralacha Pass( from Sarchu Side) was bad. The road after Baralcha pass was excellent. If I cross Baralcha Pass and reach Petsio during daylight, It would be great. I knew there was a Government Forest Rest House At Petsio. Moreover, I was familiar with the road Petsio to Jispa. It was amazing and could be covered easily during the night. Situated at an altitude of 16,040 feet, Baralacha La Pass is a high mountain pass in the Zanskar range in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a high plateau where three different mountain ranges - Pir Panjal, Zanskar and the Great Himalayas - meet at an altitude above 16,000 feet. This mountain pass, one of the highest passes in Ladakh is around 73 kilometers away from Keylong on Manali - Leh road. Just a few kilometers away from the Bara-lacha Pass towards Manali is the Bhaga river, a tributary of the Chandrabhaga river, which originates from the Surya Taal Lake. This pass is the point of commencement for several treks which include the famous Suraj Tal trek and Chandra Tal trek. During the winter season the pass is closed due to...

Baralacha La Pass is an extraordinary destination nestled at an impressive height of 4850m/15912ft in the Zanskar range of Northern India. This high mountain pass serves as a meeting point for the crossroads from Spiti, Ladakh, Zanskar, and Lahaul, making it a truly unique and significant location.

The ride to Baralacha La Pass is nothing short of epic. The journey itself is filled with breathtaking landscapes and stunning vistas that leave you in awe. As you ascend to higher altitudes, the air becomes crisper, and the temperature drops significantly. Even in the month of August, the chill is palpable, requiring visitors to bundle up in jackets to keep warm.

Once you reach the pass, you are greeted with a picturesque panorama that stretches as far as the eye can see. The 360-degree view of the majestic Himalayas is a sight to behold, and it leaves you feeling humbled by the grandeur of nature. Along the way, you can also make pit stops at Deepak Tal and Suraj Tal, two stunning lakes, to capture some breathtaking photographs.

It is important to note that due to the high altitude, people with asthma should take necessary precautions as the thin air can cause breathlessness for everyone. Facilities in the area are limited, with only small dhabas available for meals before reaching the pass. So it's advisable to carry some snacks and water with you.

In conclusion, Baralacha La Pass is a must-visit destination for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. From its towering altitude to the meeting of crossroads and the mesmerizing views, this place offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Just be there, soak in the beauty, and let the grandeur of the Himalayas leave...

So you think you are not young/fit enough for an adventurous ride to Baralacha Pass on a self driven bike ?

No worries, just go to the HP Tourism office on Mall Road, Manali, and book yourself a seat for a same-day tempo-traveler/minibus trip to Baralacha Pass and back. Believe me, you will enjoy 'snowkeling' at Baralacha Pass more than any snorkeling that you have ever done 😜😜.

And yes, you will be crossing the 9.3 km long Atal Tunnel on the way. From Atal Tunnel, Baralacha Pass at 16040 feet, is about 120 km away and will take about 3 hours to reah.. You will pass through Sissu, Keylong, and Darcha to finally reach Baralacha. Throughout, the road is well laid, promising a smooth ride. For those who are not carrying enough gear, the minibus will stop on the way, near shops, from where you can rent out all kinds of gear that you need.

There is also a mini market behind the Atal Bihari Vajpayee statue on Mall Road, Manali, from where you can buy stuff like caps, gloves, mufflers and jackets.

But frankly, it did not feel all that cold when we went there on 20 May 2025, although there was snow all around and the temperature was around 0° C.

The snow boots that we rented out did help, although many were 'snowkeling' in their sneakers !!! A word of caution, though ..... for the elderly and for those who have some respiratory problems, the lower atmospheric oxygen at Baralacha MAY cause some breathlessness, headache, and nausea..... although, in most cases, it is minor and disappears on descending. For those who do not want to take any chance, a portable oxygen cylinder will...