Pangong Lake Trip From Leh

Pangong Lake

The famous Pangong Tso Lake has been mesmerizing tourists for decades. This spectacular saline body of water might even make you forget about the beaches altogether. The color transition from azure to mild blue and green to grey can showcase some of Pangong Lake’s most fascinating qualities. The enchanting lake earns the most visual bonus points when reflecting the magnificent blue Lights. Visiting this place would be an unforgettable travel experience.

To enjoy the trip to Pangong Lake to its fullest you need to plan as per the weather conditions and get well prepared for your trip. And that’s exactly what we do in our Leh to Pangong trip.

Important things to do before starting your trip to Pangong Lake?

• Spend a night in Leh for acclimatization
• Pangong Lake is at an elevation of 13862 feet high. So, visiting Pangong Lake on the day of arrival is strongly not recommended due to altitude sickness
• Obtain an Inner-Line-Permit at the DC office Leh
• Carry an oxygen cylinder with you
• Keep your first aid kit with you
• Carry a BSNL or Airtel or Jio Sim. Subscribe for a postpaid sim before visiting Ladakh. Prepaid SIMs of states other than JK and Ladakh don’t work in Ladakh.

For a hassle-free tour, book your tour with us and let us do it for you. Our hotel rates are less than the price listed online on OTAs. And our Taxi rates are lower than any other travel agency.

Popular Pangong Lake Tour Packages

Rooms: Twin sharing
Taxi: SUV
Photo ID Required to apply for Permit and Hotel Check-in

Click for Pangong Lake Bike Trip

Pangong Lake
2 Nights

Attractions: Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, KhardungLa, Pangong Lake and more

Day 1: Acclimatization and Sightseeing
As soon as you arrive at the Leh airport, you will see our driver to pick you up. Do not worry about recognizing him, he will have a placard with your name on it. The driver will take you to your hotel where you will be served with a welcome drink. You will need to get acclimatized on the first day so that your health is perfect for your whole trip. In the late afternoon we will take you to the famous Leh Palace, the Shanti Stupa and the traditional Leh Market. After that, we will drop you to your hotel where you will have your dinner and take some rest.

Day 2.

Pangong Lake:

After breakfast you will be leaving for the Pangong Lake. Leaving early is recommended because of the long travel duration.

Enjoy the great scenery at Pangong.

Back to Leh.

Night Stay at Leh hotel.

Day 3. Airport Drop
After breakfast, we will see you off from the airport. The tour ends with beautiful memories.

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Budget	INR-6000 / Person
Luxury	INR-11000 / Person

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Pangong & Nubra Special
5 Nights

Attractions: Pangong Lake, Khardung-La Pass, Nubra Valley, Sham Valley, Rancho’s School, Shey Palace, Thiksey Monastery, Hemis Monastery, Magnetic Hill, Hall of Fame Spituk Monastery, Pather Sahib Gurudwara, Sangam, Indus-Zansker river Confluence, Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, etc.

Day 1:
Acclimatization and Sightseeing:
Welcome to the Land of high passes. You will meet the driver at Leh airport with a placard of your name. The driver will drop you at your hotel. Have a warm welcome drink while checking-in at the hotel. After having your breakfast take a rest in your room for few hours to acclimatize. After lunch, we will take you to the great Shanti Supa, locally known as Japan-e-Gompa, which was built by the Japanese. This place offers great scenery of Leh Town which will cheer you up. After that, we will take you to the Leh Palace, the abode of ancient Ladakhi kings. In the evening, you can take a stroll in the traditional Leh market. On your return to the hotel hot dinner would be served.

Day 2:
Leh Sightseeing:
Soon after having breakfast, we will leave for Sangam(confluence point of Indus and Zanskar River). Today you will be visiting famous tourist attractions like the Hall of Fame, Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Spituk Monastery, Magnetic Hill, and Sangam. Night stay at Leh hotel and dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day 3:
Nubra Valley via Khardungla (4-5 Hours):
After breakfast, we will leave for Nubra Valley through Khardungla road. It’s a long drive of 5 hours. Leaving early is recommended because of the travel duration. Khardungla-Pass “The highest motorable road” (at 18k feet) will come in the way during this trip. This long drive can be a little bumpy because of few rough terrains on the way. But the stunning views of these winding roads with majestic snow-capped mountains in the background will make it well worth the effort. On arrival at Nubra Valley, you would witness a spectacular view of nature’s beauty. Camel safari on a double-humped camel of this valley is famous through-out India. Night stay at hotel or camp in Nubra (as per your preference)

Day 4: Pangong Lake via Shayok and Back to Leh (6-7 Hours):
Today you will be visiting the famous Pangong Lake of 3 idiots climax site. The road trip to the Pangong through Shayok is going to be very thrilling and adventurous. If you are into photography then these winding roads against the stunning backgrounds are going to impress you a lot. The enchanting lake with the sparkling blue water will mesmerize you on arrival. And then, the color transition from azure to mild blue and green to grey would showcase some of Pangong Lake’s most fascinating qualities. After this, we will return to Leh for a good night’s sleep. Dinner will be served at the hotel in Leh.

Day 5:
Sightseeing to Monasteries and Palaces (5-6 Hours):
Today is the day of famous monasteries. The great monasteries you will be visiting are Shey, Thiksey, and the Hemis monastery. people from all over the world come here to explore it. Also, you will visit Rancho’s school from the blockbuster movie ‘Three Idiots’. Night stay at Leh hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel at your preferred time.

Day 6: Departure:
After breakfast, we will drop you at the Leh airport.

5 Nights Ladakh Tour Packages

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Budget	INR-15000 / Person
Luxury	INR-25000 / Person

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The Ultimate Ladakh
7 Nights

Attractions: TsoMoriri Lake, Pangong Lake, Tsokar Lake, Diskit Monastery, Kharding-La Pass, Nubra Valley, Sham Valley, Magnetic Hill, Hall of Fame Spituk Monastery, Pather Sahib Gurudwara, Sangam, Indus-Zansker river Confluence, Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, etc.

Day 1:
Acclimatization/Sightseeing:
Welcome to Ladakh, the driver will pick you up from the Leh airport and drop you at your hotel. Checking-in at the hotel would be done with a warm welcome drink. After breakfast, you need to rest for some time to acclimatize. As you have traveled to a higher altitude place from a very low altitude place, acclimatization is very important. After resting for few hours, we will take you to the great Shanti Stupa, which was built by the Japanese, and the Magnificient Leh Palace, the abode of ancient Ladakhi kings. And then you can visit the traditional Leh market. On your return to the hotel hot dinner would be served.

Day 2:
Moonland and Rafting at Sangam (9 – 10 Hours):
Wakeup the adventurous you. Today is the day you have to unleash the wild side of you. Today, right after breakfast we will take you to Sangam via Schorpochay for rafting. Sangam is the confluence point of Indus and Zanskar valley. After that, we will visit Lamayuru. Here you will enjoy the stunning views of Lamayuru and Moonland. Moonland is very famous among foreign visitors. After that we will head back to Leh where a hot delicious meal for dinner is waiting for you.

Day 3:
Nubra Valley via Khardungla (4-5 Hours):
On this day, you will be visiting the amazing Nubra Valley via the highest motorable pass Khardungla. we will leave right after breakfast. It’s around 5 hours drive to Nubra, so, we need to leave early. On the way, we will cross Khardungla, located at a height of more than 18k feet. This adventurous long drive could be a little bumpy but the great scenery through these winding roads with snow-capped mountains in the background make it well worth the effort. On arrival, you would witness how nature has endowed this place with its beauty. This valley must be seen in a lifetime. Here, you can go for a double-humped camel safari. The desert of white sand and you will be able to see small dunes. If you have preferred a camping instead of hotel, today would be the first camping night of your Ladakh Tour. Camping in Nubra would be a lifetime experience.

Day 4:
Back to Leh via Diskit Monastery (4-5 Hours):
Today, we will visit the spectacular Diskit Monastery. The great scenery of amazing landscapes in Diskit Village will impress you a lot. After reaching Leh, if you are not tired from the great expedition, you can go shopping at Leh Bazaar. Dinner will be served at Leh hotel.

Day 5:
Pangong Lake (4-5 Hours):
Wake-up for the famous Pangong Lake trip of 3 idiots climax site, Via Changla. We will leave early after serving the breakfast. This amazing road trip would be memorable. The great scenery of winding roads with majestic snow-capped mountains would make this trip unforgettable. On arrival at Pangong Lake, you will be amazed by this magnificent blue Lake which might even make you forget about the beaches altogether. Camping at night. This would be the best camping experience of your life. At night, you will be amazed by watching the galaxy picturesque in the clear sky. The sky appears to be near to you at night time, you’ll be able to see sparkling stars very clearly.

Day 6:
Pangong to Tsomoriri (8-9 Hours):
On this day you would be visiting the great Tsomoriri Lake. it is the largest high-altitude lake in India. The beautiful Blue Lake is around 7 kilometers at its widest point and about 19 kilometers long. Camping or pitching a tent near the Lake is prohibited by the government. Many wildlife and migratory birds can be spotted in this area. Night stay at a hotel nearby and dinner would be served at the hotel.

Day 7:
Tsokar Lake and Back to Leh:
After breakfast, we will leave for Tsokar Lake, another famous saline body of water with stunning color and ecosystem. This place offers a variety of nature’s beauty in one place. Night Stay at Leh hotel and dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day 8: Departure:
After breakfast, we will see you off from the Leh airport. End of a great tour with beautiful memories.

7 Nights Ladakh tour Packages.

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Budget	INR-24,000 / Person
Luxury	INR-49,000 / Person

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The Magnificient Ladakh
6 Nights

Attractions:
Turtuk Valley, Pangong Lake, Kharding-La Pass, Shyok, Nubra Valley, Lamayuru, Sham Valley, Magnetic Hill, Hall of Fame Spituk Monastery, Pather Sahib Gurudwara, Sangam, Indus-Zansker river Confluence, Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, etc.
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Day 1:
Acclimatization and Sightseeing:
On arrival at Leh Airport, the driver will pick you up and drop you at your hotel. After checking-in, breakfast will be served at the hotel. After breakfast, you need to rest for acclimatization. As you have traveled from a lower-altitude to a very high altitude place, acclimatization is important. After taking a nap, in the evening, we will take you to the Leh Palace, the abode of ancient Ladakhi kings and the great Shanti Stupa, which was built by the Japanese. And then you can take a stroll at the traditional Leh market. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day 2:
Sightseeing to Sham Valley:
Soon after having breakfast, we will take you to visit several famous tourist attractions like the Hall of Fame, Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Spituk Monastery, Magnetic Hill, and Sangam (a beautiful view of the confluence of Zanskar and Indus rivers). Today, you would be completely acclimatized to the Ladakh Altitude and ready for the next day Khardung-La Pass trip. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day 3:
Leh-Turtuk via Khardungla (6-7 Hours):
On this day, you will be visiting the beautiful Turtuk via the highest motorable pass Khardungla. we will leave after breakfast. It’s around 5 hours drive to Turtuk, so, leaving early is recommended. On the way, we will cross Khardungla, situated at a height of 18k feet. You will enjoy the long drive through these winding roads with snow-capped mountains in the background. Don’t forget to capture the moments of these breathtaking views and great sceneries. On arrival to Turtuk, immerse in the cultural richness of Turtuk. Turtuk is a perfect blend for both cultural and nature tourism. Dinner will be served at the hotel/camp (as preferred).

Day 4:
Nubra Valley via Khardungla (4-5 Hours):
Today, after breakfast, we will leave for Nubra. Nubra Valley is well known for its amazing landscapes, camping, and double-humped camel safari. Again, the road to Nubra will impress you a lot with its strikingly pleasing views. On arrival, you can go for a double-humped camel safari. The desert of white sand and you will be able to see small dunes. Today would be the first camp dinner of your Ladakh Tour, you can also opt for a Hotel check-in.

Day 5:
Nubra-Pangong Lake via Shayok River and back to Leh (4-5 Hours):
After an early breakfast, we will take you to the famous Pangong Lake of 3 idiots climax site, Via Shayok. This thrilling road trip would be memorable. The beautiful mountain villages lend an amazing natural beauty to this place which comes in the way of the Pangong trip. Some wildlife can also be sighted if you are lucky, such as Fia, wild yak. Soon as you will reach Pangong, you will be mesmerized by this vast enchanting Lake. This spectacular saline body of water with its color-changing effects might even make you forget about the beaches altogether. After this, we will return to Leh for a good night’s sleep. Dinner will be served at the hotel in Leh.

Day 6:
Sightseeing to monasteries and palaces:
Soon after breakfast, we will take you to Shey, Thiksey, and the famous Hemis monastery. These spectacular mountain hugging monasteries are world-famous. And people from all over the world come here to explore it. Also, we will take you to Rancho’s school from the famous blockbuster movie ‘3 Idiots’. Dinner will be served at Leh hotel at your preferred time.

Day 7:
Departure:
After breakfast, we will see you off from the airport. The tour ends with beautiful heart etching memories.

6 Nights Ladakh tour Packages

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Budget	INR-18,500 / Person
Luxury	INR-35,000 / Person

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Frequently Asked Questions

Best time to visit Pangong Lake?

You can visit Pangong Lake any time of the year. However, the best three months preferred by the tourists are June, July, and August. Also, April, May, and September is a good time to visit Pangong Lake

October to March are the super chilly months at freezing temperatures below 0 degrees Celcius. During winter this saline body of water gets frozen and you can ice skate on it.

Things to do during the Pangong Lake trip?

1. Photography

• Make stops during your journey to Pangong Lake and take photographs of these winding roads against the snow-capped mountains in the background.
• Enjoy the view of this enchanting lake with its color-changing effects and capture the moment.

2. You can enjoy a scenic walk at the narrow stretch of land along the lakeside.

3. Play with marmots

Enjoy watching and playing with marmots that look like squirrels but bigger in size than squirrels. These furry creatures are usually not friendly to humans and retreat into their burrows at the slightest hint of human approach. But here tourists used to feed them a lot and eventually they started to act friendly.

4. Night time sky watching

Enjoy the clear view of sparkling stars at night that appears to be near to you.

5. Changthang Valley.

Changthang valley is a great place to visit during your Pangong Lake trip. Also, you can visit Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary. This Wildlife Sanctuary has a rare species of wildlife and is well-preserved for conservation. Brown bears, marmots, Tibetan sheep, argali, Ladakhi Yaks, Nyan sheep, Tibetan gazelle, etc. are a few of the frequent animals discovered in this area.

6. Ice skating

Ice Skating on the frozen lake of Pangong is famous in Ladakh. Also, there is a festival celebrated on the frozen Pangong Lake in winter.

How far is Pangong Lake from Leh?

Pangong Lake is around 220 km far from Leh

How much time it takes to reach Pangong Lake from Leh?

It is around 5 to 6 hours drive from Leh to Pangong Lake.

How to Reach Pangong Tso Lake?

From Leh there are mainly two routes to reach Pangong Lake

Route 1: Leh – Hemis – Chang La Pass – Pangong

This route is better than the next route, as the journey would be more comfortable and faster. The famous monasteries of Shey, Thiksey, and Hemis come through this route. And you would enjoy the great scenery at the Changla Pass road. It is perfect for those looking for a relaxing tour rather than an adventurous one.

There are no petrol pumps around the Pangong Tso Lake area. So, fuel-up your car in Leh.

Route 2: Leh – KhardunLa – Khalsar (Nubra) – Pangong lake

The road of this route is rough and bumpy, but the visit to Khardung La pass and Nubra is worth taking the challenge. This route is usually preferred by adventure seeker visitors.

Is any Permit required for Pangong Lake trip?

Yes, you need to obtain a permit to visit Pangong. As Pangong Lake falls under the Actual Line of Control, so Indian tourists, as well as foreign tourists, need to obtain a permit to visit the Lake.

How can I get the Permit to visit Pangong Tso Lake?

Online: You can get a copy of Inner-Line-Permit online by visiting the site, but you need to verify it in Leh Ladakh. Visit the tourism section of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, TIC Leh, with valid photo IDs for the verification process. You might need to wait in a queue for a long time during peak tourist season. If you have already booked a tour with us, then don’t worry we’ll complete the verification process for you free of cost.

Offline: Visit Tourist Information Center Office in Leh. The opening time is 10:00 am to 07:00 pm and the working days are Monday to Saturday. The office is closed on Sunday and other national holidays.

Protected-Area-Permit for foreign nationals.

Foreigners are required to obtain a PAP with a group of three or more accompanied by an accredited guide.

Online: You can apply for Protected-Area-Permit online by visiting the site, but you need to complete the verification process in Leh Ladakh.

Offline: Visit Tourist Information Center Office in Leh with your passport and other required documents. The opening time is 10:00 am to 07:00 pm and the working days are Monday to Saturday.

Are there Petrol pumps near or in the way of Pangong Lake?

Refuel your car to a full tank in Leh, especially when you are going to remote areas. You will also find a refueling pump in Karu which is around 135km away from Pangong Tso. Also, a few of the local stores in Pangong keep patrol/diesel to sell for some additional amount. However, it is definitely not recommended to buy petrol or diesel from these local stores, as they are usually adulterated.

Are ATMs available near Pangong Lake?

ATM is rarely available near Pangong Lake. So, carry cash with you before starting the trip or you can find ATMs in Leh on the way to Pangong Tso.

SIM, Mobile Signal and Internet Connectivity

As of now, postpaid SIMs of BSNL, Airtel, and Jio are functional in Ladakh for roaming service. The signal for BSNL is better than Airtel and Jio.

Internet speed is good in the main Leh area, but in Pangong the signals would be very weak or no signal at all. We highly recommend subscribing to a BSNL post-paid SIM before visiting Ladakh.

Where is Pangong Lake situated?

Pangong is located in the eastern part of Ladakh, about 224km away from the main town Leh. You can travel there from Leh by road in around  5 to 6 hours.

How to get to Pangong Lake from Leh?

From Leh, you can easily reach this beautiful lake within 7 hours. There are frequent buses, cabs, and tempos for tourists. You can explore different routes, and it’s always a good idea to enquire about the road conditions before starting your journey.

How to get a Taxi or bus to Pangong Tso Lake?

Taxi: Get a Taxi at Taxi stand Leh, you need to book a taxi a day earlier than your scheduled trip.

Bus: Every Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 in the morning, take the bus from Leh bus station to Spangmik. Spangmik is the closest bus stop to Pangong Lake. The next day depart from Spangmik village to Leh.

• Book a taxi if you are in a group. (Contact us for free advice).
• If you are alone or with a partner, it’s best to join one of our groups to save some bucks.

Can we rent a bike to Pangong Tso Lake?

Yes, rent a bike in Leh for the Pangong trip. Contact us for discount or to join a group.

Are we allowed to swim in Pangong Lake?

Swimming in the lake is not yet prohibited. But the water is freezing cold and it would be very difficult to swim or stay in the water for long. Also, the lake is beautiful due to the lack of pollution and garbage. Therefore, no matter how much you want, it is best not to use it for bathing, swimming, littering, etc.

How big is the Pangon Tso Lake in total?

This great lake covers an area of around 604 sq.km. The length of the lake is 134km the width is 5 km at the broadest side.

Further, it is sub-divided into smaller lakes: called Pangong Tso Lake, Tso Nyak, Rum Tso (twin lakes) and Nyak Tso.

• Pangong Tso
• Rum Tso
• Nyak Tso
• Tsonyak

Half of the entire length of the lake is located in Tibet. The part of the Lake that lies in Ladakh accounts for only 40%, and the rest is disputed but controlled by China.

Is the Lake Salty?

The western part of the lake is salty, with a total dissolved solids content of 11 grams per liter, and the eastern part of the lake has a salinity ratio of 0.68 gm per liter.

Are there fish in the Pangong Lake?

Except for some small crustaceans, no fish or any other aquatic life sighted at the Indian part of the lake as per the information given by the local inhabitants and guides.

Can we visit Pangong Tso Lake now?

Yes, Pangong Lake has been reopened for tourist from 10th January 2021

What is the temperature at Pangong Lake?

The temperature around Pangong lake keeps varying from 1 to 20 degrees in summer and -25 to -1 degree celsius in winter. Here is a monthly temperature chart of the Pangong lake area.

Temperature are in degree celcius

The table shows the average temperatures of the last few years. The actual temperature for a particular month may vary. Plan your visit to Pangong Lake as per the weather informed by your travel agent. Pack woolen and other warm clothes for the night which would be very chilly as compared to the temperature of the day.