India / Jammu & Kashmir/ Ladakh/ Ladakh
Sight Address : Pangong lake in Ladakh is just 160 km from Leh . Edit
Detail InformationEdit
Pangong Lake is situated at an altitude of about 4,350 m in Pangong region near Leh. With an extension 134 km from India to Tibet, the lake is the main attraction in Pangong region. Pangong lake is a saltwater lake. Its length is about 135km and width is 5km at the broadest point. One third of the lake is in India and the rest is in China. During winter the lake freezes completely, despite of being saline and one can visit during tourist season from May to September.
The lake is five hours drive from Leh, most of it through spectacular valleys. The route from Leh goes south east crossing Shey and Thiksey Gompa. One has to cross Chang-La (the third highest pass in the world) where the army greets visitors by offering hot tea. Chang-La is midway, approximately 80km from Leh. It is named after a holy name called Changla Baba and a temple is constructed in his honour. The road Down from Chang-La is very good and passes though Tangste and other smaller villages.
One catches the first glimpse of the lake from a distance and after crossing the last hurdle – pagal nallah one reaches Pangong Lake. The lake is a vast expanse of blue color. It is surrounded by mountain ranges of relatively low height and area around the lake is completely devoid of any vegetation. Accommodation in this area is mainly in cottages and tents. Spangmik, is the last village on the Indian side and is 7km along the lake’s southern shore. Above Spangmik are the glaciers and snowcapped peaks of the Pangong range. There is a PWD guest house in Spangmik that charges anywhere between 800-1200 Rupees for a day.
Boating is not permitted in Pangong Lake. One could get lucky if the army boats are around and one’s request is entertained.
Pangong Lake, Ladakh.
HistoryEdit
Pangong Lake in Kashmir is the world’s highest brackish lake at 14,256 feet above sea level. A few years back the government decided to open it to tourists though the lake and its surrounding is under army surveillance. The tourism department intends to develop the infrastructure and facilitate the route leading to the lake.
The 160 km trip to Pangong Lake from Leh is one such experience. It begins with Thiksey village famous for its huge monasteries covering an entire mountain ridge. Beyond this remote village there is nothing but the extreme mountain ridge. At Darbuk village near Tangste Valley stood a chain of war memorials with Regimental Insignias in commemoration of the soldiers who lost their lives during the Indo-Chinese war of 1962. Some of the army bunkers and trenches are still in use. Villagers can be seen here along with their large herds of Pashmina sheep and long tailed yaks. The placid Pangong Lake is not just a tourists paradise but a geologist’s domain too and if one is to brush up with political history, the place is a melting pot of confusion and for sure it in no fun for the army in the biting cold to take care of the strategic landscape.
Must SeeEdit
Must see
Visiting TimeEdit
N.A.
Closed OnEdit
N.A.
Best Season to VisitEdit
June to October.
Best Time To VisitEdit
Morning , Afternoon, Evening.
Time Required for SightseeingEdit
1-2 hrs.
Ticket Required : Yes Edit
Individual National Adult Rs. : Get individual permits from tourist office in Leh for a small fee.
Kids Rs. : Get individual permits from tourist office in Leh for a small fee.
Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : Get the group permits minimum of 3 persons accompanied from the tourist office in Leh for a small fee.
Kids Rs. : Get the group permits minimum of 3 persons accompanied from the tourist office in Leh for a small fee.
Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.
Video Camera Rs. : N.A.
Guide Required : Yes Edit
Approximate cost: By an accredited guide.
Dress Code (If Any) : N.A. Edit
Dress Require: No
Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit
How to ReachEdit
Taxi : Pangong lake in ladakh is just 160 km from leh . From Leh you can take bus or taxi to pangong lake which is about 160 km from Leh. You can also opt for shared a taxi which charges anything between 1000 to 1500 rupees depending up the choice of seat and other conditions.
BUS : Himachal Tourism and State Transport Corporation along with J&K SRTC and several other travel companies run regular bus service to Leh. From Leh you can take bus to the pangong lake which is Located 160 kmfrom the capital of Ladakh, Leh.
Train : The closest railway station is Jammu, there are regular train services from Delhi and many other cities to Jammu railway station, from Jammu you can take buses or taxi ride to Srinagar and then to Leh. From Leh you can take bus or taxi to to the pangong lake in ladakh is just 160 km from leh .If you are for more adventures you can also rent bikes, available on rent in Leh and will cost you anywhere between rupees 600 a day for an Enfield to rupees 300 for others.
Air : Nearest Airport is Leh Airport . The following airlines (Kingfisher, Jet Airways, and Air India) operate regular flights to Leh from Delhi, Jammu and Srinagar. The duration of Delhi-Leh flight is just an hour long. Better booked the air-tickets before 2 or 3 months in advance because during May to October tickets prices are very high due to heavy tourist influx. From Leh you can take bus or taxi to pangong lake in ladakh is just 160 km from leh .If you are for more adventures you can also rent bikes, available on rent in Leh and will cost you anywhere between rupees 600 a day for an Enfield to rupees 300 for others.
Others : Truck : Trucks often stop for hitchhikers, who are usually expected to pay half the bus fare, bargaining may be necessary. They are slower than the buses and sometimes stop for long periods to unload cargo.
Things to CarryEdit
- Carry your own food & plenty of drinking water.
- Carry woolan cloths,camera etc.
Safety / WarningEdit
- If you reach before 10 am to travel office/agent you can get it done very early (in an hour). Reach early in the morning then you would get the pass in 20-30 minutes from the DC office next to polo ground. Take an ID proof copy and original too (DL, PAN, Passport).
- Boating is not permitted in Pangong Lake. One could get lucky if the army boats are around and one’s request is entertained.
HelplineEdit
- Police Control Room : 100
- Fire Station : 101
- Ambulance : 102/108
