"Adventure awaits at this breathtaking mountain pass."
All those who have been a thirst to experience the extreme terrains and get an adrenaline rush, there is certainly nothing more adventurous than touching the various mountain passes that India has. Whether you talk about the Rohtang Pass near Manali or the Baralacha La, Lahaul & Spiti Valley, reaching these passes is an adventure in itself. Also known as the Baralacha Pass, the Baralacha La is one of the highest mountain passes that is located at an altitude of 16,040 feet above the sea level. You need to travel through the Zanskar Range to reach this pass. This pass is around eight kilometers in length and is traveled by the people to reach from Lahaul & Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh in Leh Union Territory. You can find this pass when you are traveling from Manali to Leh or vice versa on the Leh-Manali Highway.
Traveler Tips
Not only is the Baralacha La pass one of the highest motorable passes, but it is also extremely cold out there. If you are planning to drive your own car or take a bike ride like most of the adventure seekers, make sure you have all the required gears, a well-maintained vehicle, and enough warm clothes. The roads can be pretty steep and rough. So, drive only if you have experience of driving in the mountains. You need to follow extreme caution when you are at this pass as the route is pretty difficult and dangerous.
Things to Do
Many people love to travel to Baralacha via their vehicle to capture the beauty of nature and soak in the scenic landscape that they witness when they reach here. However, Baralacha La trek is also a great activity that makes the thrill-seekers love to undertake. You can trek from Baralacha La for around a week to reach the beautiful Chandra Taal. Once you undertake this trek or spend some time here, you will easily spot many wildlife birds and animals. These could be marmot and pica. Birds like wagtails, horned lark, black redstart, lammergeier vulture, sand lark, snow pigeons, and choughs are also common here.
Availability
There is very heavy rainfall followed by extreme snowfall from the months of October to March and April. That’s why this pass is closed during the month for any transport and transition. You cannot travel this route during the winter months.
History
As per a general legend, it is believed that two lovers Chandra and Bhaga, children of Moon and Sun respectively. They wanted to marry each other and reached the Barachala Pass where they ran in opposite directions. They had to come back to each other and found their way pretty soon. Later, they got married.
Best Time to Visit
While winter months are inaccessible to the Baralacha La Pass, the best time to visit here in the summer months. You can reach there from the months of April to October. During these months, it’s not that snowing and the routes are also cleared.
How to Reach
The buses going from Manali to Leh will take you to the Baralachala Pass. This is probably the easiest way to reach the Baralacha La. Located at a distance of 242 kilometers from Manali, the roads are easy to access and buses will take you there in eight hours approx. Many people also like to drive their own cars or bikes to reach there. They can follow the Manali-Leh highway to reach the Baralacha La Pass in Lahaul & Spiti Valley. For travelers, you need a Rohtang Pass permit to cross the pass and drive forth to reach Baralacha La.
Lahaul & Spiti
Lahaul & Spiti
Lahaul & Spiti
Lahaul & Spiti
Lahaul & Spiti
Lahaul & Spiti
Lahaul & Spiti
Lahaul & Spiti
Lahaul & Spiti
Lahaul & Spiti
