La’s of Ladakh: The high passes of the world
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Khardung la ( 5578m ): said to the highest motorable road in the world: catch a glimpse of the Karakoram range from here.

Baralacha la (4670m): is the tri-junction of roads from Manali, Leh and Spiti. The view from here of the Himalayas extending along the horizon is spectacular.

Tanglang la (5303m): is a resting place for nomadic Chang pa tribe. Not to mention the second highest motorable road in the world.

Chang la (5270m): with the blessings of Changla Baba: get closer to the Chinese border and the breathtaking Changthang belt.

Lachulung la (5059m): is a rocky height with views of the undulating hills and Ladakh plateau.

Fotu la (4094m): is at the beginning of a descending road that leads past the Lamayuru Monastery down to the Indus River. This winding road descends almost 4,000 ft or 1,219 m from the pass to the river.

Zoji la (3505m): Gate-way to Ladakh from Srinagar. Notorious pass as people say.

Rohtang Jot (3978m): Gate-way to Lahaul and Ladakh from Manali.





Why these roads, high passes into an isolated world of indigenous culture and unknown?

In ancient times traders came from all over the world, came to exchange their goods for native products of Tibet: borax, salt, gold, shawl wool and ponies and for goods carried overland from China: tea, porcelain and silk. These roads would have never existed if not for these dare- devil traders who braved the cold climate of the mountains to make this one global world. Many have lost their lives in the bargain but the quest never ended. Thanx to them: we, mere travelers get to experience this fascinating journey today!

Ancient trade routes which facilitated opening up of these high passes:

The northwestern route via Ladakh: to Khotan, Kaskgar, Kucha and trans-Oxania: to Bokhara and Samarkand.

The trans-Himalayan routes: to Ladakh, Kashmir, Indian States, Nepal, Sikkim, Cooch Behar, Bhutan, and Assam.

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