Road to Pangong Tso

[Prasham]

Hi Guys,


I have been to Leh a month back and had planned to visit Pangong Tso on hired bikes. I and my friend had visited Nubra but after coming back to Leh he started feeling uneasy and hence we had to cut short our trip.

While I was in Leh the bike rental guy suggested me not to take bikes to Pangong Tso also here on BCM and even IM people suggest that pangong tso is tough (because of "Mighty Chang La").

Why is it tough? Are the roads in bad shape ? Is the climb too steep ? Is the distance between it base and top too much ?

I had easily climbed to K-Top and was hoping to climb Changla too. I want to get prepared for my next trip and hence I require this Info.

Please help guys.

If anyone has pic of ascent and descent of Changla (Sorry Mighty Changla) then please post it here.

[popsha]

I dont think there is something tough about Chang La, though i have not visited it but being witness to endless Ladakh chats with BCM buddies all I can say - the only tough thing for bikes or any vehicle is Marsimik La by virtue of the snady inclines rest all are pretty much doable.

Road conditions at Changla .. .hmm... Manik managed to do 120 while coming down from Changla ... now you decide.

The only pass that is new to us will be Sach pass.

[Sunilg]

These 2 photos should clear all your doubts about whether you should take your bike to Pangong Tso or not..





Also, http://www.yogeshsarkar.com/trips/ladakh05/day9.htm should clear everything about the road condition from Leh to Pangong Tso

[dipankar_24]

Some more snaps of the same place.




Riding on Ascent of Chang la was no doubt strainous onthe bike but there was reward on the other side of Chang la as seen in the above pictures.

[kamikaze]

Pangong Tso is a must if you go to Leh unless you want to keep some 'incentives' for next time or you are really short on time. just look at the blue color lake pic posted by dipankar.

Going to Leh and not going to Pangang Two is like going on a date with Angelina Jolie and not kissing her good bye! There can be only two reaosn for that - keep something for next date or you are gay!

[Prasham]

Thanks guys,

But I want figures.

What is the distance from base to top of Chang La? (Like I had travelled roughly 40 kms from Leh to K-Top) & similarly distance from Changla to base towards Pangong Tso?

Does anyone have pics of the road that we have to travel.

[navnit]

Distance frm leh to pangong tso shud b around 150 kms .. say roughly 90 kms frm da base of changla after descent ..

here r sum picz of changla ..
changla is kinda easy jst da bad weather sumtimz maks it tough ..

http://roadtoleh.fotopic.net/p31901878.html
http://roadtoleh.fotopic.net/p31901881.html

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Most of the accent on both side is easy, apart from the last 4-5kms from Leh side which demand first and second gears and generally have broken up roads.

From the Pangong side the climb does takes it toll on the bike due to continues steep sections which demand first and second gear, especially if you are carrying lots of luggage.

Having said that, any decently maintained motorcycle with a single rider would make it through it.

Chang La is more tough on the bike then on the rider, in fact at least to me it felt higher than the "Claimed Highest Road in the World".

Here is a pic taken a couple kms after crossing Chang La, while coming back from Pangong Tso in 2006:

[dipankar_24]

I think figures are already been provided & also snaps. Here is a video of pangong Tso and around.

YouTube - Pangong Tso Lake, Ladakh

YouTube - Pangong Tso Lake, Ladakh