The major mountain passes of India, from Khardung La to Nathu La
Khardung La, Umling La, Zoji La, Rohtang, Shipki La, Nathu La and the Palakkad Gap — where India's major passes are and why they matter, in one list.
Rohit Tandon · 16 October 2026 · 4 min read
A low route between high mountains that lets you cross from one valley to another is called a pass. In Ladakhi and other Himalayan languages, "la" itself means a pass. For centuries traders, pilgrims and armies have travelled through these passes. Here are the major mountain passes of India with their states and importance.
The major passes of the Himalayas
| Pass | State / region | What it connects / what stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Umling La | Ladakh | About 5,800 metres; the world's highest motorable road |
| Khardung La | Ladakh | Leh with the Nubra valley; among the world's high motor roads |
| Zoji La | Ladakh–Jammu and Kashmir | Srinagar with Leh (via Kargil); closed by snow in winter |
| Banihal | Jammu and Kashmir | Crosses the Pir Panjal, linking Jammu with the Kashmir valley |
| Rohtang | Himachal Pradesh | Kullu-Manali with Lahaul-Spiti |
| Shipki La | Himachal Pradesh | The Sutlej enters India near it; a trade route to Tibet |
| Lipulekh | Uttarakhand | A route of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra |
| Nathu La | Sikkim | India–China border trade and another Kailash Yatra route |
| Bomdi La | Arunachal Pradesh | On the road towards Tawang |
Going under the mountain: tunnels
Many high passes stay closed for months because of snow, so tunnels are now being built beneath them. The Atal Tunnel (about 9 kilometres) under the Rohtang Pass opened in October 2020 — the world's longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet. It keeps the road from Manali to Lahaul-Spiti open all year and has cut the journey by several hours. Work on a tunnel under Zoji La is also going on, and the Pir Panjal rail tunnel near Banihal links the Kashmir valley by rail.
Did you know? The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has built a road at about 5,800 metres at Umling La in Ladakh, which Guinness World Records has recognised as the world's highest motorable road — higher than Everest Base Camp.
Passes and ghats of south India
- The Palghat (Palakkad) Gap: this natural gap, about 30–40 kilometres wide in the Western Ghats, links Kerala with Tamil Nadu. Railways and national highways run through it.
- Bhor Ghat: a hill route in Maharashtra linking Mumbai with Pune, used by the railway and the expressway.
- Thal Ghat: the route linking Mumbai with Nashik.
The passes of history
The passes of the north-west played a big part in India's history. Through the Khyber Pass, now on the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, traders, travellers and many invaders entered the subcontinent over the centuries. The Bolan Pass was another such ancient route. That is why rulers of old kept a close watch on these routes, and why the Grand Trunk Road, counted among Asia's oldest roads, ran towards them.
Why passes matter
- Security: many passes are near the border, so they are vital for the movement of the army.
- Trade and pilgrimage: branches of the ancient Silk Road and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have long gone through these passes.
- Tourism: lakhs of tourists visit Khardung La, Rohtang and Nathu La every year.
- A challenge: there is less oxygen at high altitude, so it is important to climb slowly and give the body time to adjust.
Key points
- "La" means a pass — as in Khardung La and Nathu La.
- Umling La (Ladakh) has the world's highest motorable road.
- Zoji La links Srinagar with Leh, and Rohtang links Manali with Lahaul-Spiti.
- The Atal Tunnel under Rohtang opened in 2020.
- The Palghat Gap in the Western Ghats links Kerala with Tamil Nadu.
Frequently asked questions
In which state is the Nathu La pass?
In Sikkim; it is a route for border trade between India and China (Tibet).
Which places does Zoji La connect?
Srinagar (the Kashmir valley) with Kargil and Leh (Ladakh).
Learn to read maps: Who made the first map of India · More articles: Geography · Geography questions.
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