Mana La: everything you need to know about this famed road
India, asia
N/A
5,626 m
moderate
Year-round
Get ready for an adventure at Mana Pass, a staggering 18,458 feet high, straddling the India-China border! Tucked way up in the Himalayas, this spot, also known as Māna La, Chirbitya, or Dungri La, links India (Uttarakhand) and Tibet within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
Fair warning: this isn't a drive for the faint of heart (or lungs!). Landslides are a real risk. The Indian side is a mix of decent gravel and dirt, with some pavement thrown in, built for the military. Word is, they're widening it to two lanes by 2026-2027. You can reach the pass by heading north from India National Highway 7. The Chinese side? Newly built, and a bit of a mystery in terms of road conditions.
Expect snow to shut things down from late October to late June/early July. Here's the kicker: it's not open to the public. A regular permit won't cut it. You'll need special permissions from the police, army, and court – and even then, the army can still say no. Mostly, it's just the Army and ITBP using it to supply border posts. Getting a tourist permit is super rare. But hey, if you manage it, you'll witness views very few get to see!
Where is it?
Mana La: everything you need to know about this famed road is located in India (asia). Coordinates: 18.6342, 78.8460
Road Details
- Country
- India
- Continent
- asia
- Max Elevation
- 5,626 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 18.6342, 78.8460
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