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.

PANGONG LAKE Ladakh

Pangong Lake is situated in Himalayas. Its height is about 4,350 ft. It is 134 km long. It Extends from India to Tibet. 60% length of Pangong Lake lies in China. The lake is wide about 5km. Its water is saline. But lake freezes completely in winter season. But lake freezes completely in winter season.

PANGONG LAKE Ladakh

Distance between Leh and Pangong Lake can be discovered in a five hours. This route is a rough and dramatic mountain road through the village Shey and Gya and crosses Changla pass. Many Army men (guard) and Tea shops will be seen on your way. It is said that once the lake had an outlet, Shyok River, a tributary of Indus River, which was destroyed by a natural dam.

After a journey full of difficulties we reached Pangong Tso from Leh. Camping at Spangmik village will give great opportunities to admire the beauty of the lake and ladscape. Spangmik is a small village, spread across a narrow stretch of earth between the lake and adjoining mountains. Spangmik village is next to Pangong Lake, where the inhabitants are now finding additional income from tourist inflow. You need nothing to enjoy yourself, the lake and the mountain make sure you are kept happy contented. The lake spread so long that I can’t see the other end.

Change of shade in Lake can be observed as the day progresses. It has deepest hues of blue when the sum I high and deeper hues in the middle of the lake. It looses colour later in the day and turns dull as the sun moves towards the west. At times when the is no wind, the clear surface of lake becomes mirror, so it reflects the brown mountains surrounding it. The water near the shore looks black when there are strong waves.

The mountains are in various shades of brown, their colours doubled by the scorching sunlight and shades come due to small patches of clouds blocking the sun. Waterways on the stopes formed by melting snow have made long thin lines.

The lake is an ideal site for bird lovers as well various migratory birds including the black- naked Siberian Crane and Brahmini ducks can be seen in the cool colourful water of the lake.  The best time to visit thin lake is between June to September. An inner permit is required to visit the lake as it lies on the line of Actual Control. Indian can get individual permit. Others must have group permits (minimum of 3 persons) accompanied by an affiliated guide. You can get permit from the tourist office of Leh. India government does not permit boating due to security reason.

Ladakh – The Mecca for Adventure Lovers

Ladakh with its arid deserts and enchanting beauty happens to be a dream destination for all the adventure lovers, whose ultimate desire is to visit this enthralling place once in their lifetime.  From poets to painters, from tourists to trekkers, all have been captivated by the alluring beauty of Ladakh.

Though Ladakh has been an independent kingdom for centuries, Tibet and the Muslim neighboring lands have a strong influence on its culture. The architecture in Ladakh, especially the monasteries and the housing complexes bear a strong resemblance to those in Tibet. As Ladakh lies in the great Himalayan range, it has a unique climate and culture. About the climate; summer here is usually bright and warm, whereas winter can be harsh. Owing to its resemblance to Tibet, Ladakh is often called as the little Tibet.

Embarking on a trekking tour is the best way to fuse adventure and natural beauty of Ladakh. Trekking here is dubbed as a lifetime experience by those, who have surrendered to the enticing rugged terrain of this land.  Ladakh adventure is not restricted to just trekking, but also river rafting, cycling, village tour, walking, and bike expedition. The famous Trekking routes in Ladakh are Stok Kangri trek, Markha Valley, Alchi - Lamayuru Trek and Rupshu valley, Nubra Valley Trek, Spituk to Markha Valley, Lamayuru Gompa to Chilling, Likir to Temisgam, Spiti valley trek and Rupshu Valley trek. June to October is the ideal time for trekking adventure in Ladakh. With every nook and corner of Ladakh offers adventure enthusiasts new vistas to get indulged in activities such as cycling, white water, rafting, and mountaineering, polo, archery, Jeep and Yak Safari.

Mountaineering in Ladakh is yet another memorable experience. The terrain is known for its exigent peaks and alps, climbing on which promises an adrenalin rush. The popular mountaineering range here are Stokkkhangri,  Khangiri, Nun, Kun, Konglacha Peak, Kantaka, and Gulap Matho West and many more. It is advisable to take the permission of the India Mountaineering Federation in Delhi, before you embark on a mountaineering expedition.

Biking in Ladakh is a good option for adventure freaks. Bike safari is the best way to explore the inaccessible regions in Ladakh. Biking proves to be a thrilling experience, is it gives the tourist an opportunity to behold astounding glaciers and steep hills. Manali to Leh route is one of the famous routes to explore the beauty of Ladakh region.

Ladakh the land of Gompas, mesmerizes the tourists with its rugged terrains and a number of passes and barren rocks. It is undoubtedly the paradise for adventure lovers with plentiful activities to please ones adventurous spirit.