Baralacha La

The Baralacha La, also known as the Baralacha Pass, is located in the Zanskar range. It is a high mountain pass on the Leh-Manali route that connects the districts of Leh in Ladakh and Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh. The bleak landscapes, devoid of any stores or hotels, appear disastrously beautiful to spectators.

At a few kilometres distant, the Bhaga river adds to the spectacular scenery surrounding the pass. Baralacha basically translates as a mountain with multiple forks, Lahaul and Zanskar, Ladakh, and Spiti being amongst them. Mountain bikers never seem to miss out on their excursions because it is such an important site.

According to a well-known myth, Chandra and Bhaga were lovers. Bhaga was the son of Surya, the Sun God, whilst Chandra was the daughter of the Moon. They made the decision to ascend the Baralacha to consummate their eternal union. Baralacha Pass is located after Zing Zing Bar. This year's snowfall was approximately 30% higher than it was in 2014. As usual, the lack of oxygen makes it impossible to breathe regularly at high height.
In the Zanskar range, Baralacha is a pass with a crossroads at the summit. The pass, also known as Bara-lacha Pass or Br Lcha La, links the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh with Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir. There is where the Leh-Manali motorway passes.

The legend of Baralacha La:

Legend say that two lovers, Chandra and Bhaga who were the children of the Moon and Sun Gods resolved to ascend the Baralacha La Pass and run in opposite directions to marry and live together forever. Because Chandra was the more active and intelligent of the two, he readily found his way to Tandi. Bhaga also travelled down the small gorges to Tandi, where they met and eventually married.

Things to keep in mind:

1. Be careful because the pass is covered in snow, and abrupt twists and dismal weather can make the trip difficult. 
2. Dress warmly because the environment gets cold due to the chilly winds that blow in this high altitude zone.
3. If you plan to ride on the stretch in the evening, avoid cycling after 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. Consider stopping in surrounding areas.
4. Prepare for high altitude sickness. Bring adequate water and medications to combat it.
5. There are no restaurants at the pass, and the only food available is in the campgrounds. Tibetan cuisine, such as soup, noodles, and momos, is mostly provided here.

From April to October is the perfect time to visit and enjoy the ride through the Baralacha Valley. The snow melts during these months, and the Baralacha La is regarded safe for travellers to travel and enjoy the picturesque splendour of the area.