Pangong Lake of 3 Idiots

Ladakh the snow desert and enchanting beauty is a dream destination for all the adventure lovers. Poets, painters, writers, tourists, trekkers and others ultimate desire is to visit this unbelievable place once in their life time.

 Ladakh has been an independent state since 13^th century. Its culture has much strong influences of Tibet and Muslim neighboring lands. The architecture of the monasteries of Ladakh has a strong image of Tibetan art.

Ladakh consists two districts (Leh and Kargil) of the northern most state India Jammu & Kashmir, which lies between the great Himalayan and Karakoram Range. They obstruct Indian monsoon to bring rain in Ladakh. Summer is usually bright and warm, whereas winter gives freezing cold. All the roots of high altitudes are closed by snowfall during the winter season.

Pangong Lake is also called Pangong Tso. Tso is used for the abbreviation of Time sharing operation. It means that many persons can access the operating system concurrently. It appears to each TSO user he is the only user on the system. It is situated at the height of about 4350m in the Himalayas. It is an endorheic lake with the length of 134 km and the width is 5 km at the broadest point and extends from India to Tibet (China). 60% of the lake lies in China. During winter season the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water.

Amir Khan a famous director of 3 Idiots had shot climax scene of the film on this lake. Pangong lake has been featured in a few movies and songs, because it is one of the most beautiful lakes in India and it changes its color and hues every few hours.

It is advised to spend a whole day at Pangong Lake, rather than visit it just for one or two hours. A few hotels are centrally located in Leh the heart cityof Ladakh within a walking distance from Leh market and really 10 minutes drive from Leh airport, where you can relax under the apple groves in the beautiful garden of the hotel.

Saline Lake of Ladakh

Embarking on trekking tour is one of the best ways to join adventure and natural beauty of Ladakh. Leh is an opening destination for any trekking tour, as Leh is the capital town of Ladakh. Trekking here is preserved as a lifetime experience by those who have explored the rugged terrain snow desert of this land. Ladakh adventure is not limited to just trekking, but also bike expedition, river rafting, monastery tour and mountaineering.

Saline Lake of Ladakh

Ideal time for adventurous sports as trekking and river rafting in Ladakh is summer season from middle of May to October. Every nook and corners of Ladakh invites enthusiasts of adventure lovers to be a part of activities such as: ice polo, jeep safari, cycling, archery, river rafting and trekking etc.

Pangong Lake is 160 km in the north east of Leh across the Chang la Pass. It is considered to be the largest lake of Asia. Its length is nearly 136 km and average width is more than 4 km at an elevation of 4300 meter. The water is as clear as a crystal.

Pangong Lake freezes in winter. Migrated animals such as: ponies, yaks and goats and birdswalk over the hard surface of the frozen Pangong Lake. Scanty populations of Changpas are living in Spangmik and some other villages along the southern shore of the lake in the summer season where trekkers or travelers can get the facility of Home stay system. They are nomadic tribes of Changthang Valley of Ladakh. They migrate to warmer places in winter.

The water is salty. It is said that the water was fresh in ancient age. The mountain ranges in the north-western side of the lake are of lime stones which had affected its water. The clear salty water shines in many colors of blue or green depending upon its depth. It really changes shades with sunlight and the shadow of mountain which changes the color of water.

Only 40% of the Lake lies in Indian Territory while rest in China. Its area is nearly 400 sq km or about the same size as the holy lake of Mansarovar.

Did you know: Water in the eastern portion of the Pangong Lake occupied by China is as tasty and sweet as pure drinking water.