Pangong Lake is one of the most popular tourist’s destination to visit when in Leh Ladakh. The reflection of the mountains in the crystal clear blue waters and the changing colors of the lake will leave you stunned for a lifetime. Read on to find out everything you need to know about Pangong Tso Lake.
Pangong Lake, also known as the world’s highest saltwater Lake, is undoubtedly the most beautiful place to visit in the Himalayas. This lake is approximately 160 km long and will be found at the height of 4350 meters. It is the biggest of all the lakes in Leh Ladakh and extends from India to China. The fragile beauty of this lake has attracted tourists from all across the globe. The lake is so crystal clear and clean with reflections of the brown mountains in the blue waters. The unique feature of Pangong, which makes this place even more popular is the changing colors of the lake from blue to green and red at different times throughout the day. The name of the lake is being derived from a Tibetan word Pangong Tso which means high grassland lake which is absolutely true in this case as you will be truly enchanted and mesmerized by its charm when you visit the place.
Pangong is located at a distance of 170 km from Leh and is a must visit place when you are on your trip to Leh Ladakh. The lake is stretched with its one-third portion lying in our country while the remaining two-third belongs to Tibet’s and controlled by China. The lake looks too good to be true in its beauty when you see the pictures, but you will be amazed by the tranquillity and beauty of this magical lake when you visit it in reality. The drive to this place from Leh takes around five hours passing through Chang La, which is the third-highest motorable pass in the world. The drive is magically alluring, leaving you with picturesque sights to behold for the entire journey. This spot is favourite for photography lovers and the sceneries will bring you a different feeling of contentment and peace.
What you must indulge into when at Pangong Lake :
Camping is an exhilarating experience while at Pangong. Light a bonfire, gaze at the stars and enjoy the barbeque. There’s nothing more that you need.
Even though leaving the camp in such extreme cold seems damn difficult, gazing at the galaxy of sparkling stars in the night is an amazing experience. To watch the stars in the clear skies is treat to the eyes and a privilege we never had in our polluted cities. Similarly getting up early morning to watch the surreal sunrise is a sight you must not miss at any cost. The feeling of contentment when you watch the sky and the lake immerse together expelling light with the rising sun is something you must capture in your camera as the best moment of the trip.
Pangong will treat you with beautiful migratory birds like seagulls and black-necked cranes. The birds migrate here making this place a paradise for bird lovers. You will also be greeted with rare endemic species Marmot which resides in burrows in the mountains. There is a good chance of watching these large squirrels when they come out of their potholes during the day.
The lake freezes during the winters and the blue water turns into a sheet of ice. This is an ideal time for adventure lovers to come here for walking on the ice or doing ice skiing. You can also take a dip into the icy cold brackish water before you leave the lake to make this trip exciting and memorable.
Road Conditions and Permits required :
The journey to Leh Ladakh is always challenging and thrilling. The roads towards Chang La are usually uneven and rough. Gradually the roads turn better as you pass Chang La. The safest vehicle can be an SUV or a Royal Enfield which are best suited for the tough and twisted roads of Leh Ladakh. Depending on your skills to drive on these roads, you can choose a vehicle.
There are some areas for which you are considered as inner line as they fall on the border of China or Pakistan. To visit Pangong Lake, you need to submit an Inner Line Permit. Foreigners need to obtain a protected area permit. You can procure these permits online. However, you can take the print of the online form along to make the payment and get you permits stamped and signed. For more details on the same, do visit the website named lahdclehpermit.in
What time to visit and how to reach Pangong :
The Changla Pass is open throughout the year except when it snows very heavily. Hence you can visit Pangong at any time of the year. With June and July being the peak season, you will be more comfortable in visiting Pangong between May and October.
Winters attract tourists who are willing to walk on the frozen river. Due to the extreme weather in the high altitude region, it is advisable to visit Pangong during summers to enjoy flora and fauna of this beautiful region.
The entire drive to Pangong from Leh is extremely breathtaking, displaying the epitome beauty of the scenic nature all around the place. Since the lake is very close to the Indo-China border, you shall be allowed to visit only up to Spangmik village. The route takes you to Chang La Pass and then through Tangste.
Regular buses are playing from Leh to reach here. Besides that, you can hire bikes, cabs, jeeps and cars at reasonable rates as well. Do ensure to refill enough fuel in your vehicle as there are limited petrol pumps on the way to Pangong.
There are two ways to reach Pangong Lake. One is the old traditional route from Leh which passes through Chang La Pass. You take the Manali- Leh highway and drive up till Karu and then turn towards Sakti on the left. This is one of the most preferable routes and will let you explore Hemis and Shey monasteries along the way. It is one of the best and fastest route to reach Pangong. From Changla, you drive towards Durbuk and reach the town of Tangste in a few hours. Pangong is about 8kms from Tangste and you shall find several camping base alongside the lake on the way. It will take approximately 5- 6 hours to reach Pangong through this route.
Another route to reach Pangong is from Nubra Valley. You can pass through Warli La (high altitude pass) from Nubra and reach Pangong. The route from Warli La takes comparatively longer time to Leh, and the road conditions are also rough and patchy. You can also travel along the Shyok river from Nubra. This route saves you the trouble of going to Leh from Nubra and connects to Pangong directly, thereby saving you some precious travel time.
Do make sure to spend a day atleast at Pangong and also witness both the sunset and the sunrise, which are much talked about and adds to the beauty of the place.
Food and Accommodation:
The food available at this altitude is limited but simple and nutritious. Besides popular local items like Maggi and Tea, You will find basic nutritious food like the noodle soup – Thupka, heavy pasta dish full of veggies – Skyu and delicious momos. Enjoying a meal at this high altitude and in such an environment is exceptionally fulfilling and satisfying.
There are numerous campsite within close proximity of Pangong Lake, which are very well equipped with basic amenities and facilities. These camps are very comfortable and offer an exciting stay for travelers. Besides that, there are other accommodation options and homestays available near the Pangong village. The locals in the region are very friendly and will mix along well to make you feel comfortable and warm.
Other important tips and suggestions:
- Take enough rest to get acclimatize
- Carry warm clothes and an extra pair of shoes.
- Carry important and adequate photocopies of all documents required to obtain the permit
- Carry medical kit, dry fruits and snacks along the journey
- Ensure that your vehicle is fueled well enough for the entire journey
The unadulterated beauty of Pangong Lake makes it a popular tourist destination and an ideal spot to relax, unwind and experience serenity and tranquillity.
