Pong Dam Lake: Bird Watching, Boating & Water Sports
Himachal’s biggest bird lake — geese in winter, kayaks by day
Bird-watching at Nagrota Surian, boating and water sports at Khatiyar, and the half-sunk temples of Bathu ki Ladi.
- Ramsar wetland
- 420+ bird species
- Birds Nov–Feb
- ~1.5 h from Dharamshala
- Water-sports centre
- Price Get Quote
Pong Dam Lake, at a glance
Pong Dam Lake (Maharana Pratap Sagar) is the large Beas reservoir in Kangra district, protected as a wildlife sanctuary and Himachal’s first Ramsar wetland. Between November and February tens of thousands of migratory birds, led by bar-headed geese, winter here; the count by December 2024 alone passed 92,000. A state water-sports centre runs boating and paddle sports, and the Bathu ki Ladi temples rise from the water in spring and early summer.
Bird spots, boating points and the sunken temples
Birds at Nagrota Surian, boats at Khatiyar, temples at Bathu ki Ladi when the water is low. We check what is running for your date.
Winter pickNagrota Surian bird-watching
Classic pickKhatiyar water-sports centre
Photo spotBathu ki Ladi temples
For learnersABVIMAS Pong Dam centre
Local tipFatehpur / Dhameta side
How a Pong Dam day works
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Tell us your plan
Dates, start point (Dharamshala, McLeod Ganj, Kangra, Pathankot, Amritsar, Chandigarh) and what you want: birds, boating or both.
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We check the week
What is running at the water-sports centre, boat availability, and the lake level for Bathu ki Ladi.
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Sunrise: birds
Reach Nagrota Surian early and watch the flocks along the shore, Nov–Feb.
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Late morning: on the water
A boat ride or a kayak / canoe session at Khatiyar, life jackets on.
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Afternoon
Bathu ki Ladi if the water is low, or Rancer island; back to Dharamshala or on to your next stop.
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One quote
Hotel + cab in the same plan; add Bir, Triund or Dharamshala paragliding on other days.
One lake, three seasons
- Nov–Feb → the birds are in.
- Mar–Jun → the water drops and the temples show.
- 15 Jul – 15 Sep → no water sports in Kangra.
- Birds or boats? Nagrota Surian for birds, Khatiyar for the water.
We check the week before we book.
Pong Dam by month
| Months | What’s happening | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Nov – Feb | Migratory birds peak; cool, clear days, foggy mornings | Bird-watching, photography |
| Mar – Jun | Birds leave by March; lake level drops and Bathu ki Ladi temples appear; warm to hot | Bathu ki Ladi, boating |
| Jul – mid Sep | Monsoon; Kangra water-sports ban 15 Jul – 15 Sep; the lake fills | Avoid water activities |
| Mid Sep – Oct | Calm water; the first birds arrive in late October | Boating, water sports |
Bird-season weekends fill fastest. December and January mornings can be foggy — the drive is slower and boating may start late.
What we check before we book your lake day
Suzu Travels is an HP Tourism registered travel agent (Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022). We arrange water activities with registered local operators and check these first:
- Registered operators, life jackets onWater activities only at the state centre or with registered operators, life jackets on at all times (HP water-sports rules).
- Monsoon banKangra stops water sports from 15 Jul to 15 Sep — nothing on the water in that window.
- It is a sanctuaryKeep your distance from the flocks: no chasing birds by boat, no feeding, no loud music. Follow the forest staff.
- Winter fogDec–Jan mornings can be foggy: slower drives, and boating may start late.
- Bathu ki Ladi groundThe approach can be muddy and slippery, and the water returns with the monsoon — do not walk out on wet ground.
- Sun and waterShade is limited on the shore — carry sun protection and drinking water.
Get a quote in minutes
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Tell us
WhatsApp or the quote form — date, group size, kids’ ages and where you start.
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We check your date
Bird season, lake level, weather, the monsoon rule and a registered local operator.
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You get one quote
Lake day, hotel nights and cab in one plan.
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Confirm and go
We send the meeting point, timing and what to carry.
What your quote depends on
- Start city, and a day trip or a night near the lake
- Season — bird-season weekends fill fastest
- Which water activity and how long (or a multi-day course)
- Group size and car type
- Add-ons: guided bird-watching, binocular / camera help, Dharamshala, Bir or Triund days
We send today’s rate on WhatsApp within minutes.
Winter birds and calm-water boating
Birds at sunrise, a boat or kayak by late morning: we plan the day from Dharamshala or Kangra with hotel and cab in one quote.
Get your Pong Dam quote
Tell us your date and who is coming. We reply with one plan — lake day, hotel and cab — within minutes.
A Dharamshala + Pong Dam plan
The easy way to do it: a Dharamshala–McLeod Ganj 3N/4D trip with one Pong Dam day, or a circuit Amritsar / Pathankot → Pong Dam → Dharamshala → Bir, with hotel and cab in one quote. In Dharamshala add the Triund trek or the Kareri Lake trek; in Bir, a tandem paragliding flight. Anglers: Pong is also in our fishing guide. Another big lake: Gobind Sagar water sports in Bilaspur.
Pong Dam Lake — questions
When is the best time to see birds at Pong Dam?
November to February, with the peak in December and January. Most migratory birds leave by March.
How many birds come to Pong Dam?
The forest department counted 92,885 migratory birds by December 2024, and earlier seasons have topped one lakh. More than 420 bird species have been recorded at the lake.
Is boating allowed at Pong Dam?
Yes. The state water-sports centre at Khatiyar offers boating, kayaking, canoeing, sailing and rowing. We confirm what is running on your date before you go.
When can you see the Bathu ki Ladi temples?
When the lake level drops, usually from about March to June. For the rest of the year the temples are under water.
Is Pong Dam a Ramsar site?
Yes. Pong Dam Lake was declared a Ramsar wetland in 2002, the first in Himachal Pradesh, and it is also a wildlife sanctuary.
How far is Pong Dam from Dharamshala?
About 55–65 km by road, roughly 1.5–2 hours. Kangra (Gaggal) airport is about 76 km away.
Are water sports open in the monsoon?
No. Water sports in Kangra stop for the monsoon from 15 July to 15 September.
Is Pong Dam the same as Maharana Pratap Sagar?
Yes. Maharana Pratap Sagar is the official name of the reservoir behind the Pong dam on the Beas, built in 1975.
