SOUTH EAST LADAKH
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Blue-Green waters of Pangong Tso: The lake is nothing short of being utterly celestial. Pangong Tso or “ Hollow Lake" lies at an altitude of 4420m and is about 130 kms long and 7kms wide. Visitors may go as far as Spangmik, 7kms along the lakes southern shore, from where there are spectacular views to the north of the Chang-chenmo Range, its reflection shimmering in the ever-changing blues and greens of brackish water. Above Spangmik rise glaciers and snow capped peaks of the Pangong range.

Many also know Pangong Tso as "the land locked sea".

Tsomoriri, 140 sq km expanse of intense blue waters: At an altitude of 4,600m, it is set among rolling hills behind which lie snow covered mountains. The regions only permanent settlement is on the lake’s western shore, Karzok – a handful of houses and a monastery, whose barley fields must be among the highest cultivated anywhere around the world.

The lakes and its fresh water inlets are breeding areas for many species of migratory birds, such as the rare black necked Crane and the great crested Grebe. Wild asses, marmots and foxes can also be seen in the region.





Twin lakes of Tso kar and Startsapuk Tso: The twin lakes are 80kms north of Tsomoriri on the road to Leh. While Startsapuk Tso has fresh water, Tso kar is so briny that the Chang-pa herders regularly collect salt from the deposits along its margins.

Among the human inhabitants of south-east Ladakh are the nomadic herders known as Chang pa who brave extreme cold (-40deg C in winter and freezing nights even in summer) throughout the year, living in their black yak-hair tents. They raise yak and sheep but their main wealth is Pashmina goat which produces the world famous Kashmir wool.

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