Pangong

Discover Pangong.

A 134km ribbon of water that shifts from turquoise to indigo through the day, straddling the India–China border at 14,270ft. Pangong is Ladakh’s most photographed, least forgettable sight.

Tour packages

Short Trip to Ladakh

4 Nights / 5 Days · Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong

₹18,400

Ladakh Expedition with Nubra & Pangong

5 Nights / 6 Days · Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong

₹21,400

Amazing Ladakh with Turtuk

6 Nights / 7 Days · Leh, Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Pangong

₹25,400

Delightful Ladakh with Hanle

7 Nights / 8 Days · Leh, Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Pangong, Hanle

₹32,900

Amazing Ladakh with Kargil

7 Nights / 8 Days · Leh, Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Pangong, Kargil

₹33,600

Amazing Ladakh with Tsomoriri

7 Nights / 8 Days · Leh, Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Pangong, Tsomoriri

₹33,200

Ladakh with Hanle & Tsomoriri

8 Nights / 9 Days · Leh, Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Pangong, Hanle, Tsomoriri

₹37,250

Discover Ladakh

9 Nights / 10 Days · Srinagar, Kargil, Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong, Sarchu, Manali

₹51,800

Best of Ladakh

9 Nights / 10 Days · Leh, Kargil, Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Pangong, Hanle, Tsomoriri

₹44,650

Ladakh with Zanskar

12 Nights / 13 Days · Leh, Kargil, Rangdum, Padum, Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Pangong

₹68,750

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Pangong

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Pangong

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How do you get to Pangong Lake?

Pangong is reached from Leh, never directly from Srinagar. Most itineraries make a loop: Leh to Nubra Valley over Khardung La, from Nubra to the lake by the Shyok road, then back to Leh over Chang La, which is above 5,000 m. Our Short Trip to Ladakh treats Pangong as a day trip via Shyok and Chang La, and the Ladakh Expedition with Nubra & Pangong gives you a night at the lake.

Why does the lake change colour?

The water is clear, cold and very salty, and it sits in a high, dry basin with bare mountains on every side. As the sun moves and clouds pass, the lake runs from pale turquoise to deep blue, and at the ends of the day it can look grey, green or almost purple. In summer the shores attract birds. In winter the lake freezes.

What is there to do at Pangong?

• Watch the light at sunset and again at sunrise. This is the main reason to sleep at the lake.
• Walk slowly along the shore, as far as the authorities allow, and take photographs.
• Look at the sky after dark. On a clear night the stars are sharp, and cold is part of the experience.
• Have tea in camp and talk to the hosts about village life near the lake.
• Do not plan on swimming or boating. The water is cold, the altitude is high and help is far away.

Day trip or overnight stay?

We prefer the overnight stay when the group is acclimatised. Do not sleep at Pangong on your first or second night in Ladakh.

Where do you stay near Pangong?

Stays are limited and simple: lakeside camps, cottages and guesthouses. Expect meals in camp, basic bathrooms, heaters rather than central heating, and little or no mobile signal. Book early in midsummer. Our Hotels in Pangong page lets you ask for options and rates for your dates, and every Ladakh package lists its Pangong stay in Standard to Premium tiers.

When should you go to Pangong?

What are the permit and safety rules?

• Pangong lies on the border, so permission is arranged before the trip and original photo ID is checked at checkposts. Our permits and ID guide explains why, and our package pages list inner line permit fees as included.
• Follow instructions at checkposts and do not photograph military sites or personnel. Do not fly a drone.
• Altitude is the main risk. Tell your driver at once about a headache, nausea or drowsiness, and be ready to come down.
• Wind and cold are strong even in summer. Bring layers, a hat, gloves, sunscreen and sunglasses; see our packing list.

What does a day at the lake look like?

1. Leave the Nubra valley or Leh after an early breakfast and reach the lake by the afternoon.
2. Settle into camp, rest and have tea, then walk to the shore for sunset.
3. Eat early, wrap up warm and look at the sky.
4. Rise for sunrise, then return to Leh over Chang La, with Hemis, Thiksey and Shey Palace on the way.

To compare circuits, see our Ladakh tour packages, the wider Ladakh guide and Nubra Valley. Send your dates and group size through our contact page, and we confirm routes and permits before you pay.