PANGONG TSO – LAKE IN HIMALAYA. – A GEOLOGIST’S PARADISE

Himalaya is a big icy brother of India, with numerous hills, peaks, glaciers and number of rivers originating from Himalaya, nourishing different cultures, Himalaya is a unique identification of India.
On the north to east to west, there are various states; out of these Ladakh is the best known state of mountains.
Pangong Tso or Pangong Lake, Tso means in Ladakhi Language Lake, is the unique.
The journey of 160 kms from Leh, capital of Ladakh is the beginning point of our tour to Pangong Tso.
The journey thru rugged tracks, cut from the mountains, the very few small villages, the people waving , the only people you shall see the most are the Indian Army Personnel.
Mind you the visitor shall be crossing the Changla Pass (17350 ft), the third highest pass in the world. The oxygen is scarce but Army people generally help to the needy one. Although Indians are granted the permission individually, the foreigners are granted the permission in groups accompanied by some reputable company escorts.
Pangong Lake is the 13900 ft, the water is always cool and though it is saline it freezes to ice in winter. The water is cold, clear and extremely salty, one can with ease pick pebbles and by luck may find some fossil in it. Hence it is the paradise of Geologists. Geologists research here for the existence of life cycles in the lake.
The atmosphere is clear, no plastic garbage no crowds, thanks to the Indian Army , they are keeping the things in order.
The region around is very suitable for Kiang, a mammal of horse family.
The wet land is the visiting place of migratory birds, Siberian Crane, keeping photographers busy.
Mind you the nature is adverse, warning; the icy chunks freezing the time, the nearest rest houses are few kms away in village with preliminary facilities. You must reach Leh for rest.
This trip is for the off traditional vacations places; here the visitor is in the arms of nature.
Pangong lake is divided in between India and china army people of these two nations are guarding.
Boating is not permitted.
But lake is well –known for it’s wet land, which is now covered as protected under Ramsar Convention.