Hemis Monastery Ladakh

Hemis Monastery

Pangong is 40 miles in length and nearly 2-4 miles in width at a height of 4267m above the sea level What strikes the eye in coming first in view of this lake is the lovely colour of its water, espacially towards evening, which is of the richest deep blue, over the whole expanse, at morning time, it is of a lighter a very brilliant colour. The water of the Lake is not that salty as sea water.

A long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometers at its widest point and over 130 km long, it is bisected by the international border between India and China. Spangmik, the farthest point ot which foreigners are permitted, is only some seven km along the southern shore from the head of the lake, but it affords spectacular views of the mountains of the Changchenmo range ot the north, their reflections shimmering in the ever-changing blues and greens of the lake's brackish waters. Above Spangmik are the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Pangong range.

Spangmik and a scattering of other tiny villages along the lake's southern shore are the summer homes of a scanty population of Chang-pa, the nomadic herdspeople of Tibet and south-east Ladakh. The Pangong Chang-pa cultivate spares crops of barely and peas in summer. It is in winter that they unfold their tents (rebo) and take their flocks of sheep and pashmina goats out to the distant pastures. Pangong Tso trip can be organised in two days and overnight stay at Tangtse.Travellers are not allowed to pitch their tents near the Lake and only allowed to go upto Spangmik due to security reason. As 75% of the Lake is in China and only 25% is in India.The landscape on the way to Pangong is spectacular.

Where to Stay

Pangong has host of wonderful places to stay - Campsites, Cottages, Guest House, Homestay and few small hotel. The basic amenities are available in most of the places but any kind of luxury is not expected at this high altitude area. Many of the camps and cottages has Lake view rooms.

How to Reach

• Nearest Airport to reach Pangong Lake is Leh (Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport), which is at a distance of 155 Kms. Leh Airport has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar and Chandigarh.

• Pangong is 155 kms from Leh and taxis are available from Leh town to visit Pangong Lake. Regular bus service is also available from Leh.