Baralacha La Pass
Mountain passes are beautiful to explore, and there is no doubt about that. However, many mountain passes also come with their own set of restrictions. Either they are inaccessible, too hard to reach, or sometimes they must be farther away. But the Baralacha La Pass in Himachal Pradesh differs from what I mentioned above. This is an accessible location at a generous and reachable height and is very nearby as well. Baralacha La Pass on the map is located just on the Leh Manali highway, and you can reach it very conveniently, too.
This Pass is a good option if you are searching for an exciting location in Himachal Pradesh. The Baralacha La Pass’s height, distance, and beautiful location make it a popular tourist sightseeing spot. So, if you plan to visit there, read this article. I will mention everything you need to know about the Pass in this article. It would be a helpful read for you to plan a successful trip to this breathtaking location.
Where is Baralacha La Pass located?
If you are wondering which state Baralacha La Pass is in, the answer is that It is located along the Leh Manali Highway in the district of Himachal Pradesh.
How to reach the Baralacha La Pass
The most convenient way to reach the Baralacha La Pass is from Manali or Leh. From Manali, this Pass is about 190 km away, and it would take around 6 hours to reach it by road. Due to the high altitude of the location, it takes a little more time to cover this distance, but the roads are in good condition, so that would not be an issue anyway.
Another way to reach the Pass is from Leh. From L, the Pass is around 281 km, and you can get the Pass in about 7 hours and 30 minutes. Due to the higher altitude, the time taken is a little higher than in other places with the same distance. But if you are travelling in a big car with an experienced driver, it would be easy. The road conditions are also good.
The best time to visit Baralacha La Pass
The Baralacha La Pass temperature is the harshest during the winter, and due to excessive snowfall, the Pass remains closed. From April to October, however, this Pass remains open for tourist visits. The weather is bearable during this time, and you can enjoy the surroundings here. The snow also melts during this time to clear the way for the tourists, and this is the time when it is safe for them to visit this location.
However, even during monsoon, the Pass remains close. Since there are chances of landslides, it would not be safe to visit here during that time. So whenever you are planning a visit, you must take note of the current weather conditions along with the road conditions. Only then can you plan a visit.
Overview of Baralacha La Pass
The Baralacha La Pass or Baralacha Pass is a high mountainous pass in the Zanskar range. Baralacha La Pass’s height in feet is 16 040 feet, and it is about 8 km long. The Baralacha La Pass connects the Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir. Regarding natural beauty, the Pass is one of the most picturesque spots. The Bhaga River, the tributary of the River Chenab, flows just a few km from this location. The Bhaga River originates from the Surya Tal Lake and is one of the most serene spots here.
This barren area with an unobstructed view is truly a sight of wonder. Especially for people who enjoy visiting tranquil locations, the Baralacha La Pass can be genuinely intriguing. What makes it even more remarkable is the beautiful Baralacha La Pass altitude. The Bhaga River surely elevates the beauty of this gorgeous location. Along with that, the site is also famous for offering other breathtaking views. The Pass is like a summit giving away to several crossroads. Some of these led to Spiti, Ladakh, Zanskar and Lahaul. This 8 km long Pass is like a dream roadway for bikers. This location is especially ideal for adventure lovers looking for an adrenaline rush.
Even this location is popular among trekkers as well. The Pass further leads to the Chandratal Lake, which requires a climb up. The Lake is located on the bank of the Chandra River in the Spiti Valley and is a familiar spot for trekkers. The breathtaking view and the nothingness at the location win over the heart. This Pass is also a name in the celebrated novel of famous writer Rudyard Kipling. In this novel, Kim, Rudyard Kipling mentions the Baralacha La Pass as the location of Suraj Tal, which the character Lama from the book uses to travel from Tibet to India.
It is one of the highest motorable passes in the country, located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. This region is also the meeting point of the Zanskar Range, Pir Panjal Range, and Himalayan Range.
Main attractions in Baralacha La Pass
This Pass is undoubtedly one of India’s most famous and beautiful mountain passes. Visiting a place like this can be like a dream come true. The whole region here looks ancient, which attracts more visitors here. This area seems raw and rugged, and the beauty of this spot lies there. The area seems even more gorgeous in June, with the white snow everywhere. The black mountains peek through the snow, creating a beautiful trance for the visitors. You can look ahead at the clear blue sky and feel like it’s a dream coming true in front of your own eyes.
Chandra Taal Lake is a hot spot for tourists and adventure lovers. It is one of the popular locations that you can visit here. In addition, there is the Surya Taal Lake, which is also famous as Surajtal Lake. This Lake is unique as it is the third-highest Lake in the country and the 21st-highest Lake in the world. This makes this location a must-visit spot if you are visiting this area.
To reach this Lake, the most popular option is to trek. The trek includes the Zingibaz- Suraj Tal- Baralacha La Pass trek. For this trek, you will have to go through the Bhaga River for about 3 km, and then you will have to cross a bridge. Then, you will reach the North Bank, which will further follow up to a steep trail, and you will be able to get to the Suraj Tal. It can be one of the most exciting journeys, so think of going forward when you are visiting there.
Legend of Baralacha La Pass
An exciting legend regarding this Pass is a local popular folklore. According to the legend, Chandra was Moon’s daughter, and Bhaga was Sun God’s son. Both of them once decided to climb up the Baralacha La Pass. They aimed to carry on the wedding rituals of their eternal marriage, and after climbing the Baralacha La Pass, they ran in two different directions. Chandra was the more active and smart one, so she made her way quickly and reached Tandi after travelling a distance of 115 km. However, Bhaga struggled to reach Tandi but finally could get there after a strenuous journey of 60 km. That was where the lovers met; therefore, their eternal marriage also took place.
Baralacha La Pass Permit
You will have to bring certain documents with you to visit this Pass. For an Indian citizen, you must carry a valid photo identity proof along with attested photocopies of the document. This is required to prove your nationality, and only then you will be able to visit this location. You can bring your passport, voter ID card, or Aadhar card. For foreign nationals, they must carry their passport and visas along. They will need help visiting the Pass.
Things to remember before visiting Baralacha La Pass
- The roads sometimes remain covered in snow, and the sharp turns here can be dangerous. So you must be extra cautious to reach the location
- Visiting a location like this depends a lot on the weather. So whenever you are visiting here, you must check the weather at the location beforehand.
- You must start your journey to reach the Pass easily in the morning so that you can enjoy the whole area as long as there is daylight.
- If you are travelling there, avoid riding after 5:30 p.m. Also, make sure you get there or come back before it gets dark.
- You must wear enough warm clothes as the region tends to get cold with chilly winds. So be prepared for that.
- The Pass is located at a high elevation, so acclimatization is extremely important. It would help if you were habituated to high altitudes to avoid sickness.
- Carry necessary medicines and water as you won’t find shops near the spot.
- You must carry some food with you as no eateries are available here. The only food available will be at the campsite, which mainly includes Tibetan delicacies like noodles, momos, and soups.
- Remember to carry the necessary documents and IDs mentioned above to get the permit to visit this location.
Wrapping Up!
Now that you have all the information about the Baralacha La Pass Himachal Pradesh plan a trip there as soon as possible. After all, these locations are packed with many punches and offer a lot to its visitors. You can only afford to take advantage of this gorgeous location. So let me know when you plan a trip to this beautiful location. Let me know if this article will help you plan this trip successfully.
