Location: 154-km Southeast of Leh, Ladakh Region, J&K
Altitude: 4,267m
Main Attraction: Jeep Safari
Significance: One Of The Largest
Salt-Water Lakes In Asia
Pangong Tso, 154-km to the
southeast of Leh , is one of the largest salt-water lakes in Asia, a
long narrow strip of water stretching from Ladakh east into Tibet.
Only a quarter of the 130-km-long lake is in Ladakh, and the Indian
army, who experienced bitter losses along its shores in the war
against China in 1962, guard their side of the frontier.
An On Guard Area
Until the mid 1990s, it was off bounds to visitors, and tourists
still need a permit to come here. The lake, at an altitude of 4267m,
with the dramatic glacier clad Pangong range to its south and the
Changchenmo range reflected in its deep blue green waters to the
north, measures 4-km across at its widest point.
Bitter winds float across the brackish water making it one of the
coldest places in Ladakh; visitors, who are usually glad to see the
back of it. Still the lake provides a tantalizing view of Tibet in
the distance, which, along with its proximity to Leh is the main
draw for tourists.
Jeep Safari
There is little habitation in the region and even less transport.
Occasional buses go as far as Tangse, but from there four wheel
vehicles are required, which is why the easiest way to get here is
on a two or three day Jeep Safari organized by one of the many tour
operators based in Leh .
Visitors are restricted by the army from staying at Spangmik for
longer than a couple of hours, and the usual itinerary involves
camping at Lukung 15-km before the lake. Tour operators provide all
the necessary facilities including tents and food and will arrange
your permit.
How To Get There
Road:
After going through Chemrey and Thak Thok, the road
to Pangong Tso crosses the 5,475m-high Chang-la pass, and then
continues to Tangse where there is a small Gompa, which used to be
on a vital trade route. Despite the height of the Chang la, the
road, which is of strategic importance to the army, is open
throughout the year except when clogged by the occasional winter
snowstorm.
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