Leh to Pangong Tso
Your options
Ways to make the journey
5–6 h
From Leh the road follows the Indus to Karu, then turns east past Sakti and climbs to Chang La. After the pass it drops through Durbuk and Tangtse to Lukung, where the lake first appears, and continues to Spangmik. The road is mostly paved. We stop at Chemrey or Takthok on the way, and for lunch in Tangtse.
6 h
Guests coming from Nubra can follow the Shyok road from Diskit via Agham and Shyok village to Durbuk, then join the Leh road for the last stretch to the lake. It avoids recrossing Khardung La. The road is prone to damage from floods and landslides. Check current status before you travel.
Full day
Experienced riders can ride to Pangong with a support vehicle and guide. The climb to Chang La is demanding and the descent rough in places. We only arrange this for fully acclimatised riders with mountain experience. The guide rides with you, and the car carries luggage, oxygen and spares. Helmets are essential.
Worth a stop
- Thiksey monastery
- Chemrey monastery
- Chang La (5,360 m)
- Tangtse
- Lukung
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How far is Pangong Tso from Leh?
Spangmik, where most camps are, is about 160 km from Leh via Chang La, taking around five hours plus stops. Lukung, the first point on the lake, is about 7 km earlier. Lunch is usually in Tangtse. The drive is mostly paved.
Is Chang La open all year?
Chang La is kept open for most of the year, but snow can close it for hours or days, mainly from November to April. In summer, closures are rare. Check current status before you travel. Snow chains are carried. Drivers check each morning.
Can we go from Pangong to Nubra directly?
Yes, via the Shyok road from Durbuk through Shyok village and Agham to Diskit, about 160–170 km and six hours. Road conditions vary, so we check the day before. It avoids recrossing Khardung La. Leave early to cross streams before the afternoon melt.
Where should we stop between Leh and Pangong?
Thiksey or Chemrey monastery in the morning, the top of Chang La for 15 minutes, and Tangtse for lunch. Marmots are often seen on the descent from Chang La in summer. Lukung gives the first lake view. Keep stops on the pass short.