Pangong Tso: Camping beside the Turquoise Waters
"Experiencing the shifting colors of Pangong Lake (4,250m) and returning to Leh town via the snowy Chang La Pass."
Pangong Tso is a long narrow endorheic (landlocked) lake situated at a height of about 4,250 meters (13,940 feet). It is 134 km long and extends from India to the Tibetan Autonomous Region in China.
The Drive via Shyok River
Instead of returning to Leh, the direct road from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso follows the Shyok River bed. It is a rugged, off-road route with stunning canyon views and river crossings.
- Wildlife Spotting: Keep your eyes open for marmots popping out of their burrows in the meadows near Durbuk.
Shifting Colors of Pangong Lake
The lake is famous for its color-changing waters, transitioning from turquoise blue to deep indigo, green, and grey as the sun moves across the sky.
- High-Altitude Cold: At 4,250m, nights at Pangong Tso are freezing, even in summer. Ensure you stay in a well-insulated camp or homestay and layer your clothes.
Returning via Chang La Pass (5,360 meters)
The route back to Leh climbs over Chang La, the third highest motorable pass in the world. The climb is steep and offers gorgeous vistas of frozen glacier fields and high-altitude lakes.