Pangong Lake (Pangong Tso)

The basics

Surrounded by the barren mountains of the Pangong Range on the western edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Pangong Lake’s cold, salty waters are a dazzling blue. It’s very isolated, at about 136 miles (220 kilometers) from Leh, but worth the effort to get there (though note that it’s for viewing rather than swimming). Some accommodations are available beside the lake but, partly because of the high altitude, most travelers visit on a private or small-group day trip from Leh. You’ll spend most of the day sitting in the car, but the views en route are also fantastic.

Things to know before you go

• Tourists will need a special permit to visit the lake, as it’s in a sensitive border area. Indians need an Inner Line Permit and foreigners a Protected Area Permit.

• Pangong Lake is at a significantly higher altitude than Leh (11,562 feet/3,542 meters). It’s best to acclimatize in Leh before visiting the lake. Drink plenty of water and take it easy when walking to avoid altitude sickness.

• Many tours include a stop at sites associated with the movie 3 Idiots. You could ask to skip these if you’re on a private tour and uninterested.

How to get there

Pangong Lake is deep in the mountains southeast of Leh, so the only feasible way for most travelers to get there is on a guided tour, or with a private driver and car. There is, however, a weekend bus connecting Leh and Pangong Lake. It leaves Leh early on Saturday morning and reaches the lake by late afternoon, then returns to Leh on Sunday.

When to get there

Pangong Lake, like most of Ladakh, is only accessible between June and September, when the snow has thawed enough to make the roads passable. You may still have trouble reaching the lake in early June or late September, depending on snowfall. You can fly to Leh in other months, but Pangong Lake is unlikely to be reachable.

Visit Pangong Lake from Tibet

While most people visit Pangong Lake from the Indian side, intrepid travelers can also visit from Tibet, as about two-thirds of the lake sits within the Chinese territory. You’ll need to visit Tibet on a group or private guided tour, and some tours to Mount Kailash—considered sacred in many religions—make a detour to the lake, which is also in Ngari Prefecture.