The Wild Road to Saach Pass in the Himalayas
Saach La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,420m (14,500ft) above sea level, located in Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh, in India.
Can you drive to Saach Pass?
Tucked away in the northern part of the country, the challenging road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called SH37. Keep in mind that the road is always a serious challenge. It’s a treacherous and slippery road where even the most experienced drivers do not dare to drive faster than 10 km/h at any point in time. The road is in bad condition, and only 4x4 vehicles are suggested for traveling.
When was the road through Saach Pass built?
The pass is a relatively new road built at the beginning of the 2000s, which shortened the distance from Killar to Chamba (the main town in the area) by about 500 km.
Where is Saach Pass?
The pass is the shortest road link between Chamba town, some 450 km from the state capital, and the Pangi Valley. The Pangi valley remains cut off from the rest of the country for about seven months in a year. Basic accommodation can be found at Killar for the night stay.
Is Saach Pass open?
Set high on the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, the road is usually impassable from mid-October through late June or early July (depending on snow). It’s the last pass to be declared open sometime in the month of June and also the first one to receive snow.
Is Saach Pass worth it?
The pass offers a spectacular view of the snow-clad peaks, high mountains, and untouched and unspoiled surroundings.
How long is Saach Pass?
The road to the summit is 67.9 km (42.19 miles) long, running from Siri to Killar. The pass links the Chamba valley with the Pangi valleys of Himachal Pradesh.
How busy is Saach Pass?
The traffic on the road is virtually nonexistent, just some buses, a handful of jeeps, and trucks. Likewise, the valley is relatively sparsely populated, not surprising due to the steep valley, with perhaps one village every 30 km.
Pic: Rajesh Uraon