Leh to Pangong Tso via Chang La
Over 17,590-ft Chang La to a lake on the Tibet border
You leave Leh at 11,500 feet and spend the morning climbing through army checkpoints and prayer-flag villages to Chang La, one of the highest motorable passes on earth at 17,590 feet. Past the summit, the road falls through Tangtse, then follows the Tangtse River valley and a broken, washed-out stretch before the Pangong lake shows up around a bend: turquoise, then navy, then steel-gray as the wind moves. Most overlanders end at Spangmik or Lukung on the Indian shore. The lake runs 85 miles into Tibet, and the border sits just ahead, so don’t wander off the posted track.
Tarmac covers most of it, but landslides, meltwater streams, and loose gravel patches make the last 30 miles rough, so ground clearance matters. The real challenge is altitude. Spend two or three days acclimatizing in Leh first; a headache above 17,000 feet is a warning, not a nuisance. Indian and foreign nationals both need an Inner Line or Protected Area Permit, arranged through Leh’s permit office or the online portal. Carry fuel from Leh, since nothing sells it on the lake. Camps at Spangmik are basic. Go June to September, when the passes are open. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 100 mi / 160.9 km |
| Duration | 1 long day or 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 17590 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD or high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Leh, Ladakh |
| Land manager | Government of Ladakh / Border Roads Organisation (BRO) |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | Ladakh administration Leh Inner Line Permit portal |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4WD or SUV do Leh to Pangong Tso?
Yes. A stock 4WD or any high-clearance vehicle handles it, and plenty of Scorpios and Innovas make the run daily. The surface is a mix of broken tarmac, gravel, and rough sections with rocks and meltwater washouts. Low-range isn't needed, but ground clearance and good tires matter.
Is the Chang La road open in winter?
Sometimes. The BRO works to keep Chang La open year-round, but heavy snow closures are common from late October through spring, and snow can fall at the pass even in summer. The reliable window is June to September. Outside it, expect black ice, subzero temps, a frozen lake, and most lakeside camps shut.
Do I need a permit to drive to Pangong Tso?
Yes. Indian nationals need an Inner Line Permit and foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit, both through the Leh permit portal (lahdclehpermit.in). Small environment and Red Cross fees apply. Foreigners typically arrange it through a registered Leh travel agent. Carry printed copies and your ID, because the checkpoints at Chang La and Tangtse will ask.
What is the hardest part of this drive?
The altitude, more than the terrain. Chang La tops out at 17,590 ft, and Leh sits at about 11,500 ft. Rough, washed-out patches and meltwater streams on the descent toward Tangtse are the technical bits, and the streams run deepest in the afternoon. Spend at least two full days acclimatizing in Leh, and don't linger at the summit.
Can I do it in one day, and where do I camp or get fuel?
A round trip is possible as one long day, about 5 to 6 hours each way, but two days is saner. Camping at the lake means the seasonal tented camps at Spangmik, Man, or Merak, so don't count on dispersed camping. Fill up in Leh because there's no reliable fuel at the lake. Only postpaid Indian SIMs work in Ladakh and signal is spotty past Karu.
Trail track
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