A Quick Guide to Pangong Tso Lake

Timings: Seven days a week from 8 am to 5 pm

Popular Attractions: Pangong Lake Camping; Flora and Fauna at Pangong Lake; Bollywood Connection with Lake.

Places to Visit around Pangong Tso Lake: Hemis Monastery; Spangmik Village; Merak Village.

Entry Fees for Pangong Lake: Indian nationals must pay a daily charge of ₹20.

Must Try Food In and Around Pangong Tso Lake: Maggi; Chai; Tsampa; Thukpa Noodles; Momos and Dumplings.

How to Reach Pangong Lake: By Flight, By Road and By Train

Distance from Leh: approximately 160 kms.

Pangong Lake, also known as Pangong Tso, has long been a popular travel destination in Leh Ladakh. Pangong Lake’s water undergoes colour variations. Sometimes, the water’s usually blue tint turns green, this colour changing ability of the lake makes it one of the most amazing places to visit in Leh Ladakh. One of the tallest lakes in the world is this saltwater body of water. In the winter, this lake is frozen. In such a condition, visitors may even ice skate legally here during the winter. This lake has some of its territory in China and Tibet.

Travel Tips/Must Know Before the Trip

• Things to Carry: Comfortable Walking Shoes, Gloves, Torch, Woolen socks, jackets, etc.
• Do’s and Don’ts: Avoid using plastic, visit in daylight, proper clothing, avoid littering public places.
• Permits: Tourists should apply for Inner Line Permit (ILP) at the DC office.
• Clothing: Bring layers of clothing, even in summers; stay hydrated.
• Essential items to carry: Fleece jacket, I’D Card, Sunglasses, Gloves.
• Route: It spans a 160-kilometer region

Guide to Pangong Tso Lake

Pangong Tso Lake is another popular amongst all, famous places to visit in Ladakh in May for visitors. The lake, also known as one of the best lakes in Ladakh is five kilometres wide and over 130 kilometres long, making it the largest brackish lake in Asia. 

A stunning landscape of snow-covered mountains and vast open plains surrounds the lake. The lake is best known for its lovely shades of blue, which range from light to profound. There are also many camping and trekking opportunities available in the area, making it one of the most popular Ladakh tourist places.

Pangong Lake has salt water in its western region and fresh water in its eastern part. This lake has relatively little micro-vegetation. There are no fish in this area, the guides claim. Yet, visitors have still reported seeing ducks and gulls in this area. The marsh around the lake also has several crabs and ancient flora.

An attractive, intriguing aspect of this lake is that it spans a 160-kilometre region, with one-third of that area in India and two-thirds controlled by China across the LAC. As a result, this lake is always under careful observation.

Suggested Reads:  monasteries of Ladakh

Other Places to Visit in Ladakh

Khardung La Pass

Magnetic Hills

Tso Moriri Lake