Pangong Lake Ladakh

Pangong Lake, often called "Pangong Tso", is the most well-known and beautiful attraction in Ladakh. Pangong Lake is one of the highest altitude lakes in the world. Pangong Lake is known for its blue color, serene environment and continuously changing colors with the time of day. The lake is one of the most famous lakes in the world and has become an even more famous attraction after featuring in the Bollywood movie "3 Idiots".

Pangong Lake is situated at an altitude of about 4,350 meters above sea level. It extends across both India and Tibet, with about two-thirds of Pangong Lake located in China. Pangong Lake is characterized by its extremely clear, blue water, which sometimes changes from blue to green and sometimes to turquoise.

Pangong Lake is surrounded by rugged high-altitude desert with barren mountains and vegetation that create a striking contrast to the vibrant colors of the lake. It is this very contradiction that makes the area around Pangong Lake so amazingly beautiful.

Pangong Lake Ladakh

Pangong Lake is approximately 134 kilometers long, extending from India to China. Pangong Lake is an endorheic (basin) lake which means that it does not fall into any ocean or sea but is a basin between the mountains in which water comes and collects but the water does not come out from it.

Pangong Lake is famous for its captivating beauty. Pangong Lake is one of the most famous attractions of Ladakh. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful environment here.

Attractions - Pangong Lake Hindi 

Pangong Lake in itself is a well-known attraction not only of Ladakh but of India. To experience the beautiful and peaceful environment of the lake, tourists camp on its banks. Maan village located near the lake is known for its pristine natural beauty and traditional Ladakhi lifestyle. This village is an ideal place to see the culture of this region.

Chang La Pass, which is on the way to Pangong Lake and offers beautiful views of the surrounding peaks. It is considered one of the highest motorable roads in the world.

Activity - Pangong Lake Hindi

The area around Pangong Lake is great for trekking and hiking. Many tourists do camping on the banks of the lake. Camping near the lake is a great experience to enjoy the beautiful view of clear sky, peaceful environment and starry night. The region also celebrates traditional festivals like the Ladakh Mahotsav, which showcases cultural dance and music.

Famous Spot (3 Idiots) Pangong Lake Ladakh

Shey Palace Leh

She Palace is located at a distance of about 30 kilometers from Pangong Lake. It is a royal palace which has been the residence of the rulers of Ladakh.

Chang La Pass

Chang La Pass on the way to Pangong Lake is one of the highest motorable roads in the world. It is known for photography to experience the beauty of Ladakh.

Thiksey Monastery

Thiksey Monastery near Pangong Lake is another important attraction. This monastery is situated on a hill and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. Thiksey Monastery houses a collection of Buddhist art and related artefacts.

Hemis Monastery

Hemis Monastery, located a short distance from Pangong Lake, is one of the largest monasteries of Ladakh. The monastery is known for its annual Hemis Festival, which showcases traditional dance and other arts. A large number of tourists come here during this festival.

Wildlife

The area around Pangong Lake is home to different species of wildlife. Migrated birds like seagulls and Brahminy ducks as well as other animals like marmots and wild horses are also seen here.

Tourists can learn about their culture and lifestyle from the local Ladakhi people here.

Salinity - Pangong Lake

View @ Pangong Lake Ladakh

Pangong Lake is an endorheic lake, meaning it is a closed basin without any outlet. Pangong Lake gets water from different water streams, snow melt and from the ground. This water keeps accumulating here but does not flow out from here.

The water evaporates as steam, but due to this, the minerals found in the water keep getting accumulated here in the lake itself and due to this, the water of Pangong Lake becomes salty. The special composition of salt in Pangong Lake is the result of geological processes in the surrounding area. This lake is located in a high altitude desert area and the mountains surrounding it contain a variety of minerals. Over time, as water interacts with these minerals and rocks, it picks up dissolved salts and minerals, increasing the salinity of the lake.

The salinity of Pangong Lake is less than sea water. The salinity of this lake creates an environment where only certain flora and fauna can thrive.

How to reach - Pangong Lake

Pangong Lake can be reached by driving from Leh, the capital of Ladakh. This lake is about 160 kilometers from Leh. This drive may take approximately 4 to 5 hours.

Staying near Pangong Lake provides a unique opportunity to experience the peace and beauty of the area. There are many options for accommodation here, from campsites to guest houses.

There are many camp sites near Pangong Lake. Guest houses or homestays can be found in the villages and towns around the lake which are good for experiencing the local lifestyle.

Best time to visit Pangong Lake

Summer is the best season to see Pangong Lake and experience its unique beauty. Most tourists come here during June to September. During these months the roads leading to Pangong Lake are open. During this period the day temperature can range from 15°C to 25°C.

During April to June it is a beautiful sight with flowers and snow covered mountains. Winter is very cold and daytime temperatures often remain below zero. During this time, the roads leading to Pangong Lake, such as Chang La, may be closed due to heavy snowfall.