How often do you wonder about a place that looks like a painting straight out of the canvas? Pangong Tso Lake, a secluded water body tucked in the Himalayas, wears the deepest shade of azure and flaunts a beautiful scenery.
The famous and sparkling blue Pangong lake is situated near Leh-Ladakh in the Himalayas, approximately at the height of 4350 meters. This endorheic lake is 12 kilometers long and extends from India to Tibet, with two-thirds of it lying in the latter. Owing to its altitude, the Pangong Lake temperature ranges from -5°C to 10°C as a result of which it freezes completely during winters in spite of its salinity. A unique feature of the lake is that it does not remain blue throughout the year or even the day, rather it changes colors from azure to light blue to green and grey too!
The beauty of Pangong Lake is in itself a reason enough to plan a trip there. However, there are other things to do at Pangong Tso that will keep you excited during the duration of your stay here. One of them is camping. Camping at the Pangong Lake can be an enthralling experience. Place a bonfire, get a barbecue going and enjoy the beauty surrounding you – it can’t get better than this!
Although leaving the warmth of your camp is extremely difficult, go ahead and step out. During the night, the stars of the sky shine in all their glory. The feeling you get is that of oneness, of the skies and the universe immersing themselves in you. At dawn, get out of your camp and watch the sunrise. Watch, as the rising sun gradually disperses the darkness and ushers in the light. Carry a camera with you, and capture these splendid moments while you spend a wonderful time at one of the best lakes in India.
Experts recommend June – September as the best time to visit Pangong Lake. This is when the roads leading to Leh are clear; the sun shines brightly in the sky and the weather is as favorable as it gets.