Pangong Sarai

The manager was polite and helpful, and the food was surprisingly good for such a remote location. Still, cleanliness and comfort were a real problem. The tents were cramped, with barely room to move or store luggage. Mine had a blanket with visible mud marks, and the interiors seemed poorly maintained. It didn’t look like the rooms had been cleaned between stays. Hot water was supposed to be available from 8 PM to 8 AM, but the supply was patchy even then. There was no ventilation, and on windy nights the tents shook so much that sleeping was difficult. Pangong Sarai’s main advantage is that it’s about 200 meters from Pangong Lake, handy for lake lovers and early morning views. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you mainly want to be close to the lake and are willing to compromise on cleanliness and comfort.

The lake’s incredible beauty, with its changing greens and blues and the brown and grey hills reflected in the water, more than makes up for the shortcomings. These are basic camps about 200 yards from Pyangong. The tents felt a bit stuffy and claustrophobic, but the dining room was good and so was the food, though everything was vegetarian.

The staff were caring and always ready to help, and the food tasted like a good home-cooked meal. I also liked the clean rooms and their pleasant feel. The tents are lined up neatly, and the hotel has a private beach right in front. It's a great spot for time-lapse shots and night photography, with stars to watch after dark. My scores: ambience 3.5/5, food 4/5, staff 4/5, cleanliness 3.5/5, and value for money 3.5/5.

The lake is close enough to reach on foot, and the rooms are comfortable, with hot water and central heating. The food was fantastic considering the location and its limitations. Everyone was courteous and very helpful. Easily one of the best places to stay in Pangong.