Baralacha-La Pass

The Baralacha La is a plateau where three mountain ranges meet (Pir Panjal, the Himalayas and Zanskar). Baralacha La means the pass where many roads meet. The pass connects Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Baralacha La towers over three valleys that meet at a height of over 16,000 ft. The Pass forms a natural division between the Bhaga and Yunam River. Baralacha is the starting point for several treks of which the trek to Suraj Tal is very popular. You come across the cool blue waters of the Suraj Tal that is usually marked by an outline of snow at its banks as you reach the Baralacha. When the snow melts and the road is open for travel, the peculiar shaped snow hiding between cliffs is a sight to watch. This is in sharp contrast to the surrounding gray and off white coloured rocks that are scattered around the road and the lake. As you cross the Suraj Tal, the snow capped summit comes into view and you reach the summit after you make your way up the last 250 ft up the mountain to reach the Baralacha La.