Leh to Tangste: 6 Hours Fun journey
Tangste is a small village in Leh district of Ladakh region. It is one of the closest village to China. There is not much population compared to other villages in Ladakh, but the presence of the army can also be included in the village population. Because there are more army camps there compared to local houses.
Tangste is the best place to stay while visiting Pangong lake because at Pangong the stays are much more expensive than Tangste and the cold makes the place worse. People who want a good stay and don’t want to spend their night in the cold and tents opt for Tangste. Here you will find decent accommodation like guest houses and homestays which provide good and basic food.
Tangste
is 120km which takes around 4hrs on either side. Durbuk is the regional quarter in which Tangste comes which is 4km from Tangste.
To reach Tangste, one has to cross the 2nd highest motorable road – the mighty Chang La pass at an altitude of 17,500ft. Or can come from Khardunga la but that route is too long. So the best way to reach Tangste or Pangong lake if you’re planning one day return from Leh is via Chang La pass.
The only thing one has to keep in mind is altitude sickness. So be hydrated all the time as the Pangong lake is also at high altitude. One must have proper woolen clothes as the weather changes anytime of the day.
People who plan a one day visit to Pangong Lake from Leh usually leave early morning by 6 am and reaches the lake by 9.30 am. Afternoon, they leave from the lake and reach Karu by 3 pm. Here they have their lunch. Karu is a junction where the road divides where if you take a right turn you reach Upshi on Manali-Leh highway and if you take left you will reach Chang la pass towards Pangong lake.
On this road there are three famous monasteries of Ladakh Hemis, Thiksey, Stakna and Shey. So most of the people cover these three monastery on the same day. But some keep one day especially for local sightseeing. There is an entry fee for this monastery from ₹50-₹30. Camera charges are not included that means you have to extra for your gadgets.
On this route, you will not find any network till you reach Shakti village, just below Chang la pass. There are no ATMs except in Karu. The only network which you will get in Tangste or till Tangste is BSNL that too not full range network. On the way you will find many food joints who sells snacks like Maggi, Momos, Thukpa and tea or coffee.
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