Full day trip from Leh (or overnight camp)Free (Inner Line Permit required — ₹600 per person) High (Jun–Sep), Low (Oct–Apr) crowds
About
Pangong Tso (Pangong Lake) is the jewel of Ladakh — a 134 km long endorheic lake stretching from India into Tibet at an altitude of 4,350 metres. The lake is famous for its ever-changing colours, shifting from deep azure to turquoise to emerald green depending on the time of day and angle of sunlight. Despite being a saltwater lake, it freezes completely in winter. The lake gained massive popularity after the Bollywood film "3 Idiots" was shot here. The drive from Leh (160 km, 5-6 hours) crosses Chang La pass (5,360m), one of the highest motorable passes in the world.
Highlights
134 km long — stretches from India into Tibet/China
Changes colour from azure to turquoise to green through the day
4,350m altitude — one of the highest lakes in the world
Freezes completely in winter — surreal frozen landscape
3 Idiots filming location — iconic Bollywood spot
Practical Info
Timings
Open 24 hours (best visited during daylight)
Best Time to Visit
May to September. June–July for vibrant colours.
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