The road from Chamba to Killar over Sach Pass is about 166 km and takes a long day. The first 90 km to Bairagarh are mostly paved. The last 30 km to the top, at about 4,414 m, are rock, ruts and stream crossings. Most people split it: Chamba or Tissa, a night in Bairagarh, then over the top early the next morning.
At a glance
| Stop | From Chamba | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Chamba | 0 km | ~1,000 m |
| Tissa | ~63 km | ~1,570 m |
| Bairagarh | ~90 km | ~2,800 m |
| Satrundi | ~106 km | ~3,400 m |
| Sach Pass | ~120 km | ~4,414 m |
| Bagotu | ~130 km | – |
| Killar | ~166 km | ~2,590 m |
Distances vary a little between maps.
Chamba to Tissa
0–63 km
Chamba is the district town and your last big market. If you're coming from Dharamshala, fly into Kangra (Gaggal) or take the train to Pathankot and drive up. A night here makes the next day easier.
The road follows the valley up into Churah. Tissa is its main town. Fill the tank here, fully. Fuel is scarce on the far side until you're well into Pangi.
Tissa to Bairagarh
63–90 km
Still mostly paved. Bairagarh, at about 2,800 m, is the last village before the climb. This is where to sleep. You want to start the climb at first light, not arrive at its foot at noon.
The climb: Bairagarh to the top
90–120 km · 2–3 hours
This is the hard part. Above Bairagarh the road turns to rock, mud and ruts. Satrundi, about 16 km on, is the last halt below the pass, with a glacier and, early in the season, walls of snow taller than your car.
The stream rule. The nallahs across the road are fed by melting snow. They're lowest at dawn and rise all afternoon. A crossing that's easy at 8 am can stop you at 3 pm.
Take a high-clearance SUV or a motorbike: ground clearance matters more than horsepower. In season the HRTC bus runs from Chamba to Killar too.
The top has a small shrine and prayer flags. You're above 4,400 m here. If you get a pounding headache or feel dizzy, skip the photos and go down. Going down is the cure.
Down to Killar
120–166 km
About 46 km down the Pangi side. Bagotu, about 10 km below the top, has a roadside dhaba. Killar is Pangi's main town: deep gorges, old wooden villages, and very few visitors. From here the road goes on along the Chenab to Lahaul, or down towards Kishtwar on a narrow cliff road.
What to carry
- Cash. ATMs and card machines are few. UPI works only where there's signal.
- Warm and waterproof layers. It's cold at the top even in July.
- Food and water. Dhabas are far apart.
- A puncture kit, tow rope and basic tools.
- Someone who knows your plan. Signal is patchy to none above Bairagarh.
Quick answers
How long is the drive from Chamba to Killar?
About 166 km, a long day. Most people break it with a night in Bairagarh.
Can I do Sach Pass in one day from Chamba?
People do, but you reach the climb late, when the streams are highest. Sleeping in Bairagarh is safer.
Where is the last fuel before Sach Pass?
Around Tissa, about 63 km from Chamba. Fill up fully there.
