Pangong Tso is the lake that ends up on every Ladakh itinerary for a reason - a genuine change-of-colour, high-altitude lake stretching into China. Here's what the trip from Leh actually involves, permits included.
In This Article
Pangong Tso sits at roughly 4,225 metres and is about 150 km from Leh, reached by crossing Chang La (one of the higher motorable passes in the region). The drive takes around 5 hours each way, so most itineraries treat it as an overnight trip rather than a single long day. An Inner Line Permit is required, and only about a third of the lake lies in Indian territory - the rest extends into China.
Pangong is the lake most people have already half-seen before they arrive, thanks to how often it turns up in photos - but the colour shift across the water, and the sheer scale of it against bare mountains on both sides, is still genuinely striking in person. It is also a working reminder that this is a border region: the lake extends well beyond what is visible from the Indian shore.
Getting to Pangong Tso from Leh
The standard route from Leh crosses Chang La before descending to the lake at Spangmik, the most commonly visited access point on the Indian shore. Because of the altitude of both the pass and the lake itself, this is not a route to attempt without at least a day or two of acclimatisation in Leh first.
What to expect at the lake
- ✓The water colour genuinely shifts through the day with the light - most photographs are taken in the couple of hours around sunrise or sunset
- ✓Accommodation directly at the lake is basic camp-style stays; comfort levels are lower than Leh town, by design given the location
- ✓Nights are cold even in peak summer given the altitude - warm layers are not optional
- ✓Mobile connectivity is limited to non-existent at the lake itself
Permits
Pangong Tso requires an Inner Line Permit, the same category covering Nubra Valley and Tso Moriri - see our Inner Line Permit guide for what is needed. This is arranged through a registered local agent as part of planning the trip, not something visitors handle themselves at a checkpoint.
Our real, bookable Ladakh Explorer package covers Pangong Tso alongside Nubra Valley and Leh as part of a fly-in itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Pangong Tso from Leh?
About 150 km one way, roughly 5 hours of driving via Chang La given the mountain roads and the pass itself.
Do I need a permit for Pangong Tso?
Yes, an Inner Line Permit is required, the same category as Nubra Valley and Tso Moriri, arranged through a registered local agent.
Is Pangong Tso an overnight trip or a day trip from Leh?
Given the distance and altitude, an overnight stay near the lake is the standard, more comfortable approach rather than a single very long day trip from Leh.
Planning Pangong as part of a Ladakh trip?
See our Ladakh Explorer package →Kashmir Pulse Editorial
Travel Writer, Via Kashmir
Via Kashmir is a Srinagar-based travel company built around one goal: giving travellers the best possible Kashmir experience. Our team puts together the best-priced hotels, cabs, Kashmir tour packages, and adventure packages with real sports activities, drawing on daily, on-the-ground knowledge of Kashmir's roads, weather, and seasons. Every guide on this site is written and checked by our local Srinagar team.
Ready to Experience Kashmir?
Let our local experts craft a personalised trip for you - hotels, houseboats, cabs, and experiences handpicked for your travel style.