Forbidden things attract us the most, be it banned activity we feel like doing or forbidden places we want to visit. There is another charm if you see a location that has restricted all sorts of civilian movements. But there is still a lot that you can know about that particular place anyway. I am talking about the Shipki La Pass here. This is one such location that is not very easy to visit, and there are many reasons for it, too. The strategic location of this pass, its geographical importance and the history attached to it are some of the primary reasons why this site is attractive.
To be specific, I don’t know whether it would be possible for you to visit this location, but let me share information about the Shipki La Pass. It is tough to obtain a permit for this location anyway. However, if you are still interested in learning everything about the Shipki La Pass, keep reading this article. In this article, I will provide all the information you need about Shipki La Pass. I will mention here information like Shipki La Pass is situated in which state, which areas it connects to and much more. If you are interested in exploring this region by visiting it or simply reading about the spot, this will be a helpful read for you.
Shipki La Pass
Shipki La Pass is located in which valley, and Shipki La Pass in which state?
Shipki La Pass is located in the Kinnaur district in the state of Himachal Pradesh in the Sutlej Valley.
Overview of Shipki La Pass
Shipki La Pass, located in Himachal Pradesh, is a mountain pass on the Indo- Tibet border. The Sutlej River enters India through this pass from Tibet. This location is strategically critical as it is a border post for trade with China. This pass is the third Indian border post for business and trade with Tibet after the Nathula Pass in Sikkim and the Lipulekh border in Uttarakhand. Also, this pass is an offshoot of the ancient and most iconic Silk Route. This pass is located close to the Khab Village. The Shipki La Pass’s height is 12 972 feet above sea level, which makes it an alluring site because of its elevation. Also, the Shipki La Pass connects the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh with the Tibet Autonomous Region in the People’s Republic of China.
Trade was established in Shipki La in 1993 after it was closed in 1962 after the Chinese attacks. At present, this pass is only accessible for traders for small-scale local trading. You will need a special permit if you are trying to cross the border. However, this border is closed now for non-resident people. However, some travellers still prefer to visit this area and travel to Tibet through Nepal. Civilian movement, along with photography, is something that the Army doesn’t allow here.
How to reach Shipki La Pass
Even though there is no assurance that you will actually be able to reach this location because of permission issues, if someone gets the permit, then let me tell you how you can reach here.
You can reach Shipki La from Manali or Shimla. If you are travelling from Delhi, the route would be like this: First Delhi, then Ambala, then Shimla, Narkanda, Rampur, then Pooh, and finally, you will reach Shipki La. It would be a journey of 650 km, and it would be advisable to carry this journey in about three days. On the first day, you can start from your base location to reach Shimla and stay there at night. Then, on the 2nd day, you can start your journey again from Shimla and reach Reckong Peo. On the 3rd day, start from there and move towards Nako. After reaching the Khab village, you will reach Shipki La.
However, the route via Manali is a little different. If you start from Delhi, reach Chandigarh, then Manali, then Kunzum Pass, Kaza, Shankar, Tabo, Nako, then Khab Bridge, and finally reach Shipki La, this will be a three-day journey, and here, the total distance you need to cover is 900 km.
Shipki La Pass Permit
You can only obtain a permit to visit the Shipki La Pass if you can present a very strong reason to visit there. The location is on the India—Tibet border, and it is a very strategically important position. Because of that, civilian movement is not permissible here. However, if you are getting the permit, then there are two ways to obtain it.
Your first option is to obtain it from the DC Office in Reckong Peo. Your second option is to get it from the ITBP Commanding Officer in Pooh. If you know someone from the ITBP or the Himachal Administration, you can get a permit to visit here for a short period. But again, everything depends on your luck.
The best time to visit Shipki La Pass
The ideal time to visit Shipki La is from early June to late September. On your trip, you will also be able to visit the other noteworthy points nearby, the Kinnaur Valley and Spiti Valley. If you are visiting during winter, though, you need to take care of the routes. Many roads via Shimla and Manali remain closed during the peak winter season due to snowfall.
Wrapping Up!
Undoubtedly the Shipki La Pass is one of the most interesting areas to visit. But alas, visiting the area is something other than a cakewalk. It is almost impossible to see here only if you are not lucky enough. Then, you might obtain a permit to visit here. It is one of India’s most important trade routes, so restrictions exist. You should try your best to see whether you will be able to visit this area or not.
If you are in Himachal Pradesh, you can visit the area. But make sure you obtain the permit. However, even after getting the permit, you can be sent back, so keep that in mind, too. I hope you gained knowledge about this location after reading this article. Let me know what you guys think of this alluring location. Also, let me know if you are intrigued enough to visit here.
