9 Offbeat Mountain Passes in India You Must Visit Once

9 Offbeat Mountain Passes in India You Must Visit Once (Image: Canva)

1. Niti Pass, Uttarakhand

Niti Pass is a stunning view of the Himalayas and a narrow peek at the isolated village life, especially when found close to the border of India and China. Accessible during the summer period only, it is an unexplored path to the adventurers and trekkers who want to have a feeling of being alone.

2. Arunachal Pradesh, Bum La Pass.

This is a high-altitude road that links India and Tibet. The geographical location is referred to as Bum La and can be reached through Tawang via special permits, and it also provides a panoramic view of snow-covered mountains and valleys.

3. Aghil Pass, Ladakh

Aghil Pass is a deserted location in the distant Karakoram area that used to be a trade route to Central Asia. The rugged terrain, the glaciers and the magnificent scenery also make it a very difficult yet memorable experience for serious explorers.

4. Sela Pass, Arunachal Pradesh

Sela Pass, which is at an altitude of more than 13,000 feet, has alpine lakes and snow even during summer. It connects Tawang with Arunachal as a whole and is well known because of its surreal scenery and Buddhist prayer flags.

5. Zoji La, Jammu and Kashmir

Zoji La is often less known to people, but it goes between Srinagar and Leh. It provides panoramic views of the Himalaya, cliffs and twisting roads, and it is an exciting path leading to seasoned travellers.

6. Rohtang Pass, Himachal Pradesh.

In addition to being the entry point to Lahaul and Spiti, Rohtang has other untouched trails to undiscovered glaciers and valleys. Although it is a very popular route, off-season visits offer a less crowded and cleaner expression of the pass.

7. Lipulekh Pass, Uttarakhand

Lipulekh Pass is part of the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage route and is a combination of spirituality and rugged beauty. Trekkers enjoy steep climbs, clear air and continuous Himalayan views way out of the path of the tourist traffic.

8. Shinku La, Himachal Pradesh-Ladakh.

Another adventure destination is the recently discovered Shinku La, which links Zanskar to Lahaul. Its rugged mountains, frozen rivers and panoramic settings provide a crude high altitude adventure that is hardly encountered elsewhere.

9. Nathu La, Sikkim

Having been on the historic Silk Route, Nathu La is a combination of history, high-altitude scenery and the culture of the border. Its snowy environment and its winding roads make it awe-inspiring to those who have permits to visit it.