Explore Pangong lake

Pangong Tso is a 134-kilometre glacial lake at 4,350 metres, stretching east from the Ladakh plateau into Tibet, where approximately 60 per cent of its length lies across the Line of Actual Control. The Indian section is accessible from Leh via Chang La Pass (5,360 metres), a 4-hour drive through near-total aridness: red scree slopes, dry river beds, and Buddhist chortens at pass summits. The lake changes colour at least three times over a single day. In the early morning it is deep steel blue. By midday the shallower western end shifts to turquoise. By late afternoon it passes through teal into a muted purple-grey. This is not photographic filtration: it is the refraction of light through different concentrations of glacial sediment at different depths and temperatures. "An Inner Line Permit is mandatory for all Indian nationals. Alike processes the permit as part of every Pangong package. No government office visits required. Permit delivered in the pre-trip WhatsApp dossier 72 hours before departure. Accommodation at Pangong is camp-style at altitude. Alike's confirmed properties: LemonGreen Resort, Gongma Residency, Pangong Lake Druck Camp, Pangong Panorama Cottage. All pre-verified for bedding, heating, and hot water. The 3 Idiots filming location near Spangmik village is a standard photograph stop on the way to camp. Best time: July to September. Chang La opens late June, closes mid-October. Alike's Pangong packages operate July-September 2026 only.