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If you have seen 2015 super hit Amir Starrer “3 Idiots”, you will know how Lake Pangong looks like. Surely, the incredible beauty of town Pangong Tso must have prodded actor Amir Khan and the entire unit of “3 Idiots” to pack their bags and cameras and scoot here to shoot critical film sequences before the final pack-up. So let’s travel to the ethereal Pangong Lake in Ladhak from Nubra Valley to experience the scene ourselves.

Wary of floods that could be created by melting glaciers along the way as the sun rises, you leave Nubra early morning. Later as you pass through kuccha-pucca roads, streams of water keep rolling across roads at every other place. The drive is indeed scary but enthralling.

These innocuous thin streams suddenly turn thick and get even thicker as the day grows. The solar heat probably has increased the speed of glacier melt. Soon there are no streams but mini rivers. Commuting thus becomes extremely dangerous and sometimes near impossible. Once stranded, it could take hours or even days to escape out.

way to pangong

Luckily the experienced Jimmy, and his awareness of these perilous terrain, helps him cruise through these notorious spots before they could swell and sign danger.

However, the distinct manifestation of nature never fails to captivate you as you cross this striking stretch of creation. The astonishingly colorful Mountains, the streams of clear water meandering between their feet, the unexpected propping up of astonishingly attractive squirrel like animals called Marmots, the sudden descent of clouds obscuring some seemingly beautiful spots is indescribable.

Marmots

You unquestioningly go into trance little realizing when you have reached the top of the curve. From here the magnificence of the Pangong Lake and its surroundings get visible. You are now excited.

pangong lake

Situated 14000 Mts above the Sea level, temperature at Pangong Tso gets unbearably low (up to minus 14 degree Celsius) during winter. It becomes inhabitable though. Even the colossal Pangong Lake gets completely frozen. The accumulation of snow is so high that is measured in Meters, not cms or inches.

For a night accommodation therefore, only Camps and Resorts built of canvases are available. These cottages are erected before each summer and dismantled as the winter nears. You could see around 40 – 50 such camps situated alongside, close to the banks of this picturesque lake.

Each camp has a cluster of 12 to 18 cottages within it. Beginning June to end September is the right time if you desire to visit this beautiful place. Interestingly only one third of this vast Lake is within India, the balance two-third falls under the Chinese territory.       

Some tourists come to visit the Lake for a day. Such visitors reach here by afternoon, spend time at the Northern part of the Lake and then return. The magnificence of this vast miracle however is nearly impossible to comprehend in just few hours. For those who wish to enjoy a fuller beauty of this stunningly miraculous phenomenon prefer to stay back, at least for a night.

After a short visit to the lake, for a night’s stay, you check into the tiny Cottage at “Pangong Delight Camp” . Kailash, the amiable Manager of this Camp, welcomes you with a most desired steaming Hot Cuppa Tea.

These small Cottages are brilliantly constructed; ensuring the inmates are kept suitably warm as night progresses to become increasingly chillier. The Price of each Cottage here varies between Rs.1500/- to Rs.8,000/- per night. Price depends upon how early you book, as well as, the camp’s proximity to the lake along with amenities provided. Buffet dinner and morning breakfast is invariably included in this price and is served in a separate Cottage for guests.

There are few hours left before Sun set and dinner time. You therefore tugged the camera on your shoulder and with tripod in hand, request Jimmy to quickly drive to strategic points on the Lake’s bank from where the camera would do the rest.

Every moment besides this tranquil, ethereal Lake seemed like dwelling amidst divinity. You couldn’t ask for more. As the Sun slowly sets behind the tall mountains, the scene keeps changing. You hence positioned your Camera to capture every possible moment for posterity.

After a short but memorable stay, next morning, after quick breakfast you are off to a 240 Kms drive back to Leh.

By 10.30, negotiating some steep strenuous climbs over lose mud and slush, you reach the exotic Chang La Pass. 17950 feet above sea level, Chang La Pass is reputed to be the third highest motorable road in the world .

changla

A small halt here and then you proceed to visit some of the ubiquitous Buddhist Monasteries (also called ‘Gompa’).

So, first comes the ‘Thiksey Monastery. Here the 49 ft tall “Maitreya Buddha” statue is incredibly spectacular. Visitors enthusiastically queue to take photographs with this hugely impressive Idol.

You too wait for your turn, and after taking a few pictures you proceed towards the next destination, Shey Palace. The final halt was at the 11th Century Spituk Monastery and from there to Leh.

Monestry 1

After reaching Leh you check-in at yet another beautiful Hotel – “The Zen Ladakh”.

Tired, but then some good wine comes to your aid. After dinner you go to bed early to get up fresh the next morning to explore the city of “Leh”…. on a rented bike. On Bike?? Wow !!! ……. Sounds cool……..

Comments:

  • Anonymous

    January 4, 2018

    5

    reply...
  • January 4, 2018

    Amazing
    I want to go too
    Can’t wait

    reply...
  • Anonymous

    January 4, 2018

    4.5

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  • Vijayanand Anandrao Pol

    January 4, 2018

    Wish to go there once…

    And more over Surprised that,
    If we have this much amazing sites then why do people are fascinated about to visit foreign countries first b4 seeing this beauty.

    Thank you Bhai jee..

    reply...
  • Azaz shaikh

    January 4, 2018

    “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better” – Albert Einstein

    The above quote of Einstein is proved in the beauty of Ladakh.

    reply...
  • Lalit

    January 5, 2018

    Very nice place
    Love to be there
    Thanks Bhupinder for fine details
    Must go

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    January 7, 2018

    Wow amazing place!

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