Pangong Lake
~4,225m · an endorheic lake stretching roughly 134km, two-thirds of it across the border in Tibet.
A lake that changes colour as the light moves.
Pangong sits at roughly 4,225m, reached over the Chang La pass, and it's less a single stop than a slow reveal — the water shifts through blues and greens as the sun moves across it. It gained a wave of fame after appearing in a Bollywood film, but the appeal predates that: this is one of the highest saltwater lakes in the world, and it freezes solid in winter.
Because of the altitude and the drive in, we treat Pangong as a one- or two-night stop rather than a rushed day trip — camping by the shore is part of the experience, not just the view.
Over the Chang La, one of the world's highest motorable passes.
- 01Chang LaThe high pass on the route in from Leh, often snow-lined even in summer.
- 02Spangmik & Man villagesLakeside villages where most camps and guesthouses are based.
- 03BirdwatchingMigratory birds pass through in season, including bar-headed geese and brown-headed gulls.
Best time & getting here.
Best Time to Visit
May–September. The lake freezes over completely in winter.
Getting Here
Roughly 5–6 hours from Leh via Chang La. Most itineraries combine Pangong with Nubra as a loop rather than backtracking through Leh.
Activities
Lakeside camping, photography, short walks along the shore, birdwatching in season.
Good To Know
An Inner Line Permit is required, and it's a border-sensitive area — we handle the permit and route planning as part of the trip.