MOTOR BIKING SAFARI  :  PANGONG LAKE

Pangong Tso (or Pangong lake; Tso: Ladakhi for lake) is a lake in the Himalayas situated at a height of about 4250 m (13,900 ft). It is 134 km (83.3 mi) long and extends from India to Tibet. Two thirds of the length of this lake falls in Tibet. It is 5 km wide at its broadest point. In winter, the lake surface freezes completely despite being salt water. The road to Pangong lake traverses the third-highest pass in the world, the Changla pass, where army sentries and a small teahouse greet visitors.

The spectacular lakeside is open during the tourist season, from May to September. A special permit is required to visit the lake. While an Indian can get his individual permit at Leh, non-Indian nationals need to be in a group of at least four. For security reasons, no boating is allowed. There is a small hostel as well as campsites and houses with primitive guestrooms in the village a few miles towards Tibet.

The lake is in the process of being identified under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance. This will be the first trans-boundary wetland in South Asia under the convention.

Day 1 : Leh - Durbuk (110 km) : Visit enroute Chemra and Taktak Gompas. Overnight stay in camp at Durbuk.

Day 2 : Durbuk - Lukung 100km : Bypass village Tangtse, drive upto Lukung. Overnight stay in camp.

Day 3 : Lukung - Pangong Lake ...60km : Ride via Spangmik village at the bank of Pangong lake. This lake is the highest in Ladakh and is famous for colourful stones and wild flowers (in summer months). Overnight stay in camp.

Day 4 : At Pangong Lake : Explore the area, ride and trek along the lake. It is a once-in-a-life time experience.

Day 5 : Pangong Lake - Tangtse ...90km : Ride back upto Tangtse by crossing over a pass. There are beautiful sites for photography. Overnight stay in camp.

Day 6 : Tangtse - Changla : Enroute visit Durbuk Gompa. Overnight stay in camp.

Day 7 : Changla - Hemis - Leh : Visit Hemis Gompa. It is the richest gompa of this region. Overnight stay in a Hotel at Leh.