Changthang, Leh · Ladakh
Pangong Tso
A 130 km long high-altitude lake that changes colour through the day, reached over Chang La.
Pangong Tso is an easy–moderate road trip in Changthang, Leh, Ladakh, reaching 5,360 m. The best time to go is June to September. Plan 4 to 5 days on the ground from Leh and about ₹4,000 per person per day.
What to do in Pangong Tso
The one thing not to miss
Sunrise on the lake
The colour changes through the morning.
- 2The drive over Chang LaOne of the high passes of Ladakh; do not linger at the top.
- 3Spangmik and ManLakeside villages with homestays, beyond the first camps.
A sample plan: 4 days
Day 1
Arrive in Leh
Rest.
Day 2
A second day in Leh
Still acclimatising.
Day 3
Leh to Pangong over Chang La
Stay at Spangmik, Man or Merak.
Day 4
Sunrise at the lake, then back to Leh
With Hemis or Thiksey on the way.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- ❄︎Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- ❄︎Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
The most famous view in Ladakh, with lakeside camps for sunset and stars.
Why not
Nights at 4,250 m are cold and hard on sleep. It is busy with day-trippers in peak season.
Before you go
- Permits
- Ladakh protected-area permit required.
- Guide
- Local taxi from Leh.
- Safety
- Sleeping at 4,200 m+ is a real altitude risk. Only go after 2 nights in Leh, and come down if unwell.
- Phone & internet
- Very limited at the lake.
Altitude
Pangong Tso reaches 5,360 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- You arrive already high. Rest for the first two days: no long walks and no drives over high passes.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Speak to a doctor before the trip if you have heart, lung or blood-pressure problems, or are travelling with small children.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Ladakh →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: Police control room, Leh, Leh; SNM Hospital, Leh.
All emergency contacts for Ladakh →What to pack for Pangong Tso
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
8 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) It is cold at 5,360 m, especially at night.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
1 item
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
9 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Pulse oximeter Lets you watch your oxygen level above 4,000 m. It does not replace descending if you feel unwell.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 5,360 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
- Moisturiser and a saline nasal spray The air is very dry; skin and the inside of the nose crack within days.
Documents and money
4 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsLadakh protected-area permit required.
- Passport-size photos and photocopies of your IDPermit counters and check posts ask for them, and there is rarely a photocopier nearby. Carry four of each.
Phone and power
3 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereVery limited at the lake.
- A postpaid SIMPrepaid SIMs from other states do not work in Ladakh or Kashmir. Only postpaid connections, or a prepaid SIM bought locally, will have signal.
For what you're going for
5 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
- Sleeping bag If you camp on your own. Operators and campsites usually provide one — ask first.
- Car phone mount and charger Hands-free navigation on mountain roads.
- Portable tyre inflator Punctures happen far from the next repair shop.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Ladakh Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
Links to shops are affiliate links: if you buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The shop handles payment, delivery and returns.
Share this place
Homestays in Ladakh
No homestays listed here yet. Run one? List it.
Getting there
The nearest gateway is Leh.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. Spend at least two nights in Leh before going higher. Chang La is above 5,300 m. Check current permit rules in Leh.
By road
From
Leh
- Distance
- about 160 km
- Drive time
- 5–6 hours
- Leh
- Karu
- Sakti
- Chang La
- Durbuk
- Tangtse
- Spangmik
From
Nubra
- Distance
- about 170 km
- Drive time
- 5–6 hours
- Diskit
- Khalsar
- Agham
- Shyok
- Durbuk
- Spangmik
The Shyok road is sometimes cut by the river; ask before taking it.
Live directions from Nubra
Buses and shared taxis. Most people fly to Leh. By road it is two days from Srinagar via Kargil (open roughly May to November) or from Manali via Keylong and Sarchu (roughly June to October). There is almost no public transport to the lake; share a taxi from Leh.
Pickups & drivers
From Leh. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Pangong Tso yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Pangong Tso: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Pangong Tso?
The best months for Pangong Tso are June to September. May and October are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in November to April.
How difficult is Pangong Tso?
Pangong Tso is rated easy–moderate. No trekking is needed, starting at 4,225 m and reaching 5,360 m.
How many days do you need for Pangong Tso?
Plan 4 to 5 days on the ground, counted from Leh. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Pangong Tso cost?
Expect about ₹4,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹20,000 for 5 days, before the cost of getting to Leh.
How do you reach Pangong Tso?
By road: from Leh it is about 160 km, 5–6 hours (Leh → Karu → Sakti → Chang La → Durbuk → Tangtse → Spangmik); from Nubra it is about 170 km, 5–6 hours (Diskit → Khalsar → Agham → Shyok → Durbuk → Spangmik). Most people fly to Leh. By road it is two days from Srinagar via Kargil (open roughly May to November) or from Manali via Keylong and Sarchu (roughly June to October). There is almost no public transport to the lake; share a taxi from Leh. The nearest gateway is Leh.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Pangong Tso?
Permits: Ladakh protected-area permit required. Guide: Local taxi from Leh.
Is Pangong Tso suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is possible with care; with seniors it is not advised. It is busy in season. Sleeping at 4,200 m+ is a real altitude risk. Only go after 2 nights in Leh, and come down if unwell.
What should you pack for Pangong Tso?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, sun cap or hat, compact umbrella, rain jacket or poncho, comfortable walking shoes with grip. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Pangong Tso?
Very limited at the lake.
Will I get altitude sickness at Pangong Tso?
Pangong Tso reaches 5,360 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. You arrive already high. Rest for the first two days: no long walks and no drives over high passes. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Pangong Tso?
Pangong Tso is not a good choice for families with small children, senior citizens and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 5,360 m. Also keep in mind: Nights at 4,250 m are cold and hard on sleep. It is busy with day-trippers in peak season.
More in Ladakh lakes
- Tso Moriri4,600 mcompare
- Chadar (frozen river) trek3,400 mcompare
- Lamayuru3,600 mcompare
- Leh3,600 mcompare
- Markha Valley5,150 mcompare
- Nubra Valley & Turtuk5,359 mcompare