Pangong Tso the largest lake in the Himalayas, stretches for some 130 km, with a width of only two to six km. From its north-west tip near Lukung, the initial stage extends south-east for nearly 40 km before bending to the east over the border into Tibet.Pangong Tso is situated at an altitude of about 13,900 feet above sea-level (4237 m). The name Pangong is a derivative of the Tibetan word Banggong co meaning “enchanted, long, narrow lake”. One third of the lake is in India while the remaining two thirds lies in Tibet, which is controlled by China. Majority of the streams which fill the lake are located on the Tibetan side.This beautiful lake is about a five hours drive from the town of Leh in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. The route passes through the beautiful Ladakh countryside, over Chang La, the third highest motor-able road at an altitude of 17,352 feet above sea-level (5289 m). The road trip is an interesting and popular excursion by tour vehicles.The first glimpse of Pangong Tso is of the serene, bright blue waters and rocky lake shore and this remains etched in the memory of tourists. These is a narrow ramp-like formation on land which runs into the lake, a favorite with travellers.The sheer beauty of Pangong Tso is the fact that the lake displays multiple colours ranging from shades of blue, green and even sometimes appearing reddish. The rugged Trans-Himalayan mountains in the background make for a stunning panoramic view.During the winter months from November to March end, Pangong Tso is a lake that is completely frozen, despite being saline water. The salt water lake does not support vegetation or aquatic life except for some small shrimps. However, there are lots of water birds. The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a large variety of migratory birds like Brahmani ducks, which are a rare-breed of black necked cranes and seagulls. One can spot Ladakhi mamots, the rodent-like creatures which can grow up to the size of a small dog.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6DLYTY_ZrAPangong Tso lies on the Sino-Indian Line of Actual Control and hence requires an Inner Line Permit. Most of the lake is in the Chinese-controlled territory. Owing to Pangong’s proximity to the border, tourists are only allowed to visit the lake up to the Spangmik village.For the hardcore adventure junkies, there are a couple of camping sites on the shore of Pangong. But do remember that the weather tends to get harsh after dusk. The place is a photographer’s delight and camping is the only option if you wish to see the sunset and sunrise.Accommodation near Pangong Tso is very limited and not very affordable. Camping is the only option if one chooses to stay near the lake. Very basic accommodation is available in Spangmk and Lukung, which offer a couple of guest houses, one hotel with luxury tents. Home-stays are also an option in these villages which offer just a room and have shared toilets.There are a handful of make-shift eating joints near Pangong Tso lake, these eateries are more like dhabas and nothing more. The menu at most of them is pretty much standard with noodles, momos, fried rice, veg thali and omelette. The safest bet is omelet or noodles. For the quantity and the taste the food that is served is relatively costly.The best time to visit Pangong Tso lake is during the summer months from June to October, when the weather is pleasant. Light woolens are recommended even during the summers, since the temperature dips considerably during the evenings.Pangong Tso is easily the biggest crowd puller in Ladakh and is surely worth all the hype that comes along with the lake. Pangong Tso is a must visit and is one place that no pictures can do justice to the sheer beauty seen there. For a similar experience >> click here 13 Responses The Moon shaped lake; Chandertal Lake, Spiti Valley | The Land Out There September 23, 2015 […] visit and explore Chandertal Lake a one night stay is fairly sufficient. For those who feel Pangong Lake is a marvel, Chandertal Lake will surely challenge that […] Reply Eight day backpackers road trip to Leh-Ladakh via Manali & Srinagar | The Land Out There September 7, 2015 […] early in the morning for a 150km = 5 hour drive to the beautiful Pangong Tso via Man […] Reply A Trip To The Heavens- Ladakh | The Land Out There August 10, 2015 […] next day we visited the ‘Pangong Lake’ of the 3 Idiots film fame. A hell lot of other tourists aside (yes, very hypocritical of me), […] Reply Backpackers road trip around Leh-Ladakh in Nine Days via Kashmir | The Land Out There June 14, 2015 […] Leave early in the morning for a six hour drive by car the splendid high altitude Pangong Tso […] Reply Backapckers Road Trip Around Leh-Ladakh in Nine Days | The Land Out There April 20, 2015 […] early in the morning for a 5 hour drive to the beautiful Pangong Tso via Man […] Reply 8 days backpackers road trip to Leh-Ladakh via Srinagar | The Land Out There March 8, 2015 […] early in the morning for a 5 hour drive to the beautiful Pangong Tso via Man […] Reply Budget backpacker road trip for 11 days to Ladakh | The Land Out There July 27, 2014 […] in the morning for a 5 hour drive to the beautiful Pangong Tso via Man […] Reply Budget backpacker road trip to Ladakh in 10 days | The Land Out There July 27, 2014 […] early in the morning for a 5 hour drive to the beautiful Pangong Tso via Man […] Reply Broderick July 26, 2014 I see a lot of interesting content on your website. You have to spend a lot of time writing, keep up the good work guys. Reply 20 days in the Trans Himalayan Range | The Land Out There March 25, 2014 […] Leave early in the morning for a six hour drive by car to beautiful high altitude lakes of Tsomoriri – Tsokar and the village of Depring. Or Man Mirak via Pangong Tso. […] Reply Backpackers road trip through Ladakh & Zanskar Valley in 18 days | The Land Out There March 25, 2014 […] Leave early in the morning for a six hour drive by car to beautiful high altitude lakes of Tsomoriri – Tsokar and the village of Depring. Or Man Mirak via Pangong Tso. […] Reply Backpackers road trip through the Trans Himalayan trail in 15 days | The Land Out There March 25, 2014 […] Leave early in the morning for a six hour drive by car to beautiful high altitude lakes of Tso Moriri – Tso kar and the village of Depring. Or Man Mirak via Pangong Tso. […] Reply Backpacker’s road trip around Ladakh in 14 days | The Land Out There March 25, 2014 […] early morning for a 5hr drive to the beautiful Pangong Tso via Man […] Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website
The Moon shaped lake; Chandertal Lake, Spiti Valley | The Land Out There September 23, 2015 […] visit and explore Chandertal Lake a one night stay is fairly sufficient. For those who feel Pangong Lake is a marvel, Chandertal Lake will surely challenge that […] Reply
Eight day backpackers road trip to Leh-Ladakh via Manali & Srinagar | The Land Out There September 7, 2015 […] early in the morning for a 150km = 5 hour drive to the beautiful Pangong Tso via Man […] Reply
A Trip To The Heavens- Ladakh | The Land Out There August 10, 2015 […] next day we visited the ‘Pangong Lake’ of the 3 Idiots film fame. A hell lot of other tourists aside (yes, very hypocritical of me), […] Reply
Backpackers road trip around Leh-Ladakh in Nine Days via Kashmir | The Land Out There June 14, 2015 […] Leave early in the morning for a six hour drive by car the splendid high altitude Pangong Tso […] Reply
Backapckers Road Trip Around Leh-Ladakh in Nine Days | The Land Out There April 20, 2015 […] early in the morning for a 5 hour drive to the beautiful Pangong Tso via Man […] Reply
8 days backpackers road trip to Leh-Ladakh via Srinagar | The Land Out There March 8, 2015 […] early in the morning for a 5 hour drive to the beautiful Pangong Tso via Man […] Reply
Budget backpacker road trip for 11 days to Ladakh | The Land Out There July 27, 2014 […] in the morning for a 5 hour drive to the beautiful Pangong Tso via Man […] Reply
Budget backpacker road trip to Ladakh in 10 days | The Land Out There July 27, 2014 […] early in the morning for a 5 hour drive to the beautiful Pangong Tso via Man […] Reply
Broderick July 26, 2014 I see a lot of interesting content on your website. You have to spend a lot of time writing, keep up the good work guys. Reply
20 days in the Trans Himalayan Range | The Land Out There March 25, 2014 […] Leave early in the morning for a six hour drive by car to beautiful high altitude lakes of Tsomoriri – Tsokar and the village of Depring. Or Man Mirak via Pangong Tso. […] Reply
Backpackers road trip through Ladakh & Zanskar Valley in 18 days | The Land Out There March 25, 2014 […] Leave early in the morning for a six hour drive by car to beautiful high altitude lakes of Tsomoriri – Tsokar and the village of Depring. Or Man Mirak via Pangong Tso. […] Reply
Backpackers road trip through the Trans Himalayan trail in 15 days | The Land Out There March 25, 2014 […] Leave early in the morning for a six hour drive by car to beautiful high altitude lakes of Tso Moriri – Tso kar and the village of Depring. Or Man Mirak via Pangong Tso. […] Reply
Backpacker’s road trip around Ladakh in 14 days | The Land Out There March 25, 2014 […] early morning for a 5hr drive to the beautiful Pangong Tso via Man […] Reply