The Pangong Lake Circuit

The beautiful high altitude Pangong Lake is also another popular destination with trekkers. It is a picturesque route that covers Shey and Thikse with their interesting monasteries, beforeturning off into the side valley of Chemrey.

It goes over the Chang-la (17,900 ft/5475m), the pass over the Ladakh range which despite it height is not too difficult to tackle. At the base of the pass, Tangse has an ancient temple. The trek ends at Spangmik which is the furthest point to which foreigners are permitted-about 7 km along the southern bank of the lake. Pangong Lake at a height of 14,000 ft (4,267 m), is breathtaking. Its blue green waters reflect the entire mountainscape of the Changchenmo range.

The largest brackish water lake in Asia-the Pangong Lake is practicalley an inland sea, being 150 km long 2 to 10 km wide.