Pangong Lake, Ladakh
Pangong Lake, Ladakh's most popular tourist attraction,
is a marvelous lake located at nearly 4340 mtrs. Also known as Pangong Tso, a clean water lake, is about 135 km long and 8 km wide from east to the west stretches from India
to Tibet (controlled by China). In the Tibetan Region, nearly 60-65 percent
of Pangong Lake resides. A special aspect of the lake is that it doesn't stay
blue all year round or even the day, but it also switches colours from azure to
light blue to green and light brown also.
It is one of the country's most significant tourist
attractions. This lake's beauty and mystique have attracted people from all over
the country, and beyond. The lake is said to be in the process of being
identified as an internationally significant wetland. The one factor making
this lake so popular is the fact that it continues to change colours. It is
located about 140 km from Leh in Jammu and Kashmir in the Himalayan range. The
Pangong Lake name means a narrow, enchanting lake. And now you know that the
lake has rightly got its name. One-third of the lake is in our country and the
other two-thirds are in Tibet and are under China's control.
Present Situation
Though attention has been concentrated on the Galwan
Valley following the conflict on June 15, Pangong Tso has seen another
unthinkable face-off unfold. Chinese PLA has modified the rules of the agreement by
constructing tents and other buildings on Indian territory between Finger 4 and
Finger 8.
The Fingers [mountain spurs] are numbered from west to east, one to eight. So, there's an 8 km gap where the whole thing has been going on. Indian post is between Fingers 2 and 3, which are well connected from the depth areas by a lane. There is a road within 1 km of Finger 4 but it ends there. It's just a foot-track after that.
The Chinese are located at Sirijap, 8 km east of Finger
8. In 1999 they designed a highway up to Finger 4. No vehicle can take Finger 4
through. Indian Forces have to go on foot when patrolling up to Finger 8. The
Chinese have the advantage of vehicles as they can get up to Finger 4 (which is
now under the Indian military).
They were sensitive to the presence of Indian Forces in this
area because they felt the road was being constructed, and they dominated up to
Finger 4. They don't want Indians to come up regularly to Finger 8, so they
interrupt often. According to the agreements, you cannot undo them when
interrupted. India is reciprocating and preventing them until they hit Finger
4. It was a one-man show for several years and they ruled.
India has started expanding its infrastructure in the past 7 or
8 years so their presence has increased. What used to occur [encounters] one or
two times in a month, is now almost on a regular basis.
How to Reach
First Delhi to Manali (Day-1) & rest for 2nd
day, Manali to Jispa (138 km, 7 hours journey) [Day-3], Jispa to Leh (the drive
for 330 km, 9 hours) [Day-4]. Typically most people choose to take the route
from Leh to Pangong Tso. This path will take you about 5/6 hours and this
depends entirely on how many breaks you want to take on your journey. This is
the path you'll be following –
Leh → Karu → Sakti → Chang La → Durbuk → Tagnste → Lukung → Spangmik → Pangong Lake.
Just take a five-six hour drive from Leh to reach to
Pangong Lake. The best part of this travel is the road leading to the lake. You
must travel through Ladakh which is another beautiful nation tourist
destination and drive over the world's 3rd highest motorized mountain pass
called the Chang La. The first glimpse of this attractive lake and its blue
waters is enough to give everyone's mind a lasting impression. The narrow
stretch of land which goes straight into the lake is what tourists and
travelers love the most here. Even this spot is a favourite among
many photographers.
The road travel from Leh to Pangong is in itself exciting.
Since the drive is tiring (though breathtaking), it is advisable to avoid
making the trip back the same day.
Pangong Lake in Winter
Winter transforms the Pangong landscape into a snowy and
shimmering bonanza. The mountains show a dizzying contrast with sand dominating
on one side and snow on the other. Pangong Tso is freezing to an absolute burnt
orange and you can even walk this frozen beauty all around. The sun does not
make much of an impression and the landscape is veiled in fog. The
temperature here however reaches a minimum of -20°C, so be sure to pack loads
of woolen clothes & warm jackets for this glacier lake.
Weather & Best
Time to Visit of Pangong Lake
In summer, it is better to visit Pangong Tso, specifically from June to September, as in winter, due to its harsh weather and high altitude, the holidays would not be as pleasant and the lake would also be frozen. A summer visit will open an avenue where numerous migratory birds and other flora fauna can be seen.
Foods available at Pangong Lake
Where
to Stay
There so many options of luxurious Swiss tents located right at the banks of the beautiful Pangong Tso, wooden cottage, luxury resort, hotels at Spangmik village also.
For Online Shopping, Tickets, and Hotels
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1 comments
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