11 places to discover
Bum La Pass is a high-altitude Himalayan mountain pass at about 15,200 feet (4,633 metres) on the border, located approximately 37 km from Tawang town in Tawang District, Arunachal Pradesh. Known for its snow-covered landscape, stark mountain scenery and Indian Army border outpost, it is accessible only with special permits. The pass is noted for its historical association with the 1962 conflict and as the route taken by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959.
Chang La is a high mountain pass in Ladakh, India, located on the route connecting Leh to Pangong Lake via Sakti and Tangtse. Situated at an elevation of about 5,360 metres (17,590 feet), it is among the world's highest motorable passes. Maintained by the Border Roads Organisation, the pass is known for its snow-covered terrain, prayer flags, the Chang La Baba Temple, and panoramic Himalayan views, serving as a key transit point for tourists heading to Pangong Tso.
Chattergala Pass is a high mountain pass located near Bani in Kathua District, Jammu and Kashmir, at an elevation of about 3,200 metres. It lies on the Bani-Basohli-Bhaderwah road connecting Kathua district with Doda district. Known for its alpine meadows, snow-covered slopes and panoramic Himalayan views, the pass serves as a scenic viewpoint and seasonal tourist destination offering natural landscapes and access between the Bani and Bhaderwah valleys.
Chopta Valley is a high-altitude Himalayan valley in North Sikkim's Mangan district, located near Thangu between Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake at around 4,000 meters elevation. Known for its alpine meadows, seasonal rhododendron blooms and snow-covered landscapes, it offers panoramic views of snow-capped peaks. The valley is accessed via Gangtok-Mangan-Lachen route and requires a Protected Area Permit for visitors.
Dehra Ki Gali is a high-altitude mountain pass and scenic meadow located near Thanamandi in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, within the Pir Panjal range. Situated at about 3,000 metres elevation along the historic Mughal Road corridor, it is known for expansive alpine meadows, panoramic Himalayan views and seasonal snow. The site serves as a popular day-trip viewpoint and natural attraction for visitors travelling between Rajouri and Poonch.
Nathula Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass at 4,310 metres in the Himalayas in Gangtok district, Sikkim, about 56 kilometres east of Gangtok on the Indo-Tibet border. Once part of the historic Silk Route connecting India and Tibet, it is now a controlled border crossing and major tourist attraction. Known for its snow-covered landscape, border gates and panoramic Himalayan views, it is accessible only with a protected area permit.
Razdan Pass, also known as Razdan Top, is a high mountain pass at about 3,556 metres in Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Located on the Bandipora-Gurez Road, it serves as the gateway to the Gurez Valley in the Himalayas. Notable for its panoramic views of snow-covered peaks including Harmukh, and its seasonal accessibility, the pass is a key transit point and scenic viewpoint for visitors travelling to Gurez.
Sach Pass is a high mountain pass at about 4,420 metres (14,500 ft) in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, connecting the Chamba Valley with the remote Pangi Valley. Located on the Pir Panjal range between Bairagarh and Killar, it is known for its steep, narrow unpaved road, seasonal snow cover and panoramic Himalayan views. Open only in summer months, it serves as the shortest road link to Pangi and is popular for adventure driving and sightseeing.
Sela Lake, also known as Paradise Lake, is a high-altitude glacial lake located at Sela Pass in Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh, at about 4,170 metres above sea level. Situated along National Highway 13 between Dirang and Tawang, it is one of around 101 sacred lakes in the region. The lake remains partly frozen in winter and is revered in Tibetan Buddhism, attracting visitors for its alpine scenery and mountain setting.
Sela Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass at about 4,170 metres on National Highway 13 between Dirang and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Located on the border of West Kameng and Tawang districts, it is known for its snow-covered landscape, prayer flags, and the sacred Sela Lake (Paradise Lake) beside the road. The pass offers panoramic Himalayan views and is a key transit point for visitors travelling to Tawang.
Sela Tunnel is a high-altitude road tunnel located at Sela Pass in West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, at about 13,000 feet above sea level. Inaugurated in March 2024, it is the world's longest bi-lane tunnel at this altitude and provides all-weather connectivity between Tezpur and Tawang along NH-13. Comprising two tunnels and an escape tube, it bypasses the snow-bound Sela Pass, reducing travel time and offering views of Himalayan landscapes and Sela Lake.