🏔️ Important Mountain Passes in India – A Complete Guide

 

Name	Location	Connects/Between
Aghil Pass	J&K (Karakoram Range)	Ladakh & Xinjiang (China)
Banihal Pass	Jammu & Kashmir (Pir Panjal Range)	Banihal with Qazigund (Jawahar Tunnel beneath it)
Baralacha La	Himachal Pradesh (Zanskar Range)	Lahaul to Ladakh
Bomdi La	Arunachal Pradesh	Arunachal Pradesh with Lhasa (Tibet)
Chang La	Ladakh, J&K	Leh with Shyok River Valley
Chanshal Pass	Himachal Pradesh	Dodra Kwar and Rohru (Shimla District)
Debsa Pass	Himachal Pradesh	Spiti Valley and Parvati Valley
Diphu Pass	Arunachal Pradesh	India with Mandalay (Myanmar)
Dongkha La	Sikkim	Sikkim with Tibet
Fotu La	Ladakh, J&K (Zaskar Range)	Srinagar-Leh Highway (Leh and Kargil)
Goecha La	Sikkim	Yuksom to Dzongri trek (viewpoint for Kanchenjunga)
Haldighati Pass	Rajasthan (Aravalli Range)	Rajsamand and Pali Districts
Jelep La	Sikkim	Sikkim with Lhasa (Tibet)
Karakoram Pass	J&K (Ladakh)	Ladakh with Xinjiang (China)
Khardung La	J&K (Ladakh)	Leh with Nubra Valley
Kunzum Pass	Himachal Pradesh	Kullu & Lahaul with Spiti Valley
Lanak Pass	J&K (Ladakh)	Ladakh with Tibet
Lipu Lekh Pass	Uttarakhand	Uttarakhand with Tibet
Mana Pass	Uttarakhand	Tibet with Uttarakhand
Nama Pass	Uttarakhand	Kuthi and Darma Valleys
Namika La	J&K (Ladakh)	Kargil and Leh
Nathu La	Sikkim	Sikkim with Tibet
Niti Pass	Uttarakhand	Uttarakhand with Tibet
Pensi La	J&K (Ladakh)	Suru Valley with Zanskar Valley
Rohtang Pass	Himachal Pradesh	Kullu with Lahaul & Spiti Valleys
Sasser Pass	J&K (Ladakh)	Nubra Valley and Siachen Glacier
Sela Pass	Arunachal Pradesh	Tawang with Dirang & Guwahati
Shingo La	Himachal Pradesh & Ladakh	Lahaul (HP) with Zanskar (Ladakh)
Shipki La	Himachal Pradesh	Himachal Pradesh with Tibet
Sin La	Uttarakhand	Darma Valley to Jolingkong Lake (Kuthi Yankti Valley)
Traill’s Pass	Uttarakhand	Pindari Valley with Milam Valley
Zoji La Pass	J&K	Srinagar with Kargil & Leh

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🧭 Why Are These Passes Important?

• Strategic Significance: Many of these passes are vital for the Indian Army for border security and surveillance.
• Trade & Travel: Historically used for Silk Route trade; today some support regional connectivity.
• Adventure Tourism: High-altitude treks and biking routes (like Khardung La) attract global travelers.
• Ecological & Cultural Corridors: These passes often host unique biodiversity and link diverse cultures.