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Lakes in Ladakh
Ladakh is not without its share of natural, visual marvels and lakes are a big part of its humbling landscapes. Within the modest landmass it occupies, the Cold Desert of Kashmir has 3 beautiful lakes - Pangong Tso Lake, Tsomoriri Lake and Tsokar Lake - each more awe inspiring than the other. In fact, not many know that the Pangong Tso changes colors with every hour and turns from emerald green color to varying hues of sky and velvet blue. The best time to visit these lakes is in summers (May to July). During the winters, these lakes get frozen and become so solid that they are better used as roads. This page enlists and elaborates on the 3 lakes in Ladakh. Each lake is explained individually with handy information about its location, altitude and suggested activities.
List of Lakes in Leh ladakh
Pangong Tso Lake: Ladakh Travel Guide
Do you remember the last scene of 3 idiots? Want to know about the location where Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor were snogging in the last scene? For those who are besotted by the background that acted as a catalyst for Kareena Kapoor’s love confession, the place is located in Ladakh. Situated at a height of 4,250 meters, far away in barren land in Ladakh, Pangong Tso is one of the largest brackish lakes in Asia. The crystal clear blue lake sprawls over an area of 100 kilometers across the borders of two countries in India and China. It is one of the charismatic lakes situated on the Changtang plateau in eastern Ladakh region.
Pangong Lake is also known by the name of Hollow Lake and appears as a clear symbol of nature craftsmanship. The brackish water plays with sunlight to produce different effects of light. One-third part of the lake lies in India while the remaining two-third lies in Tibet, a region controlled by China. A large chunk of streams that fill the lake are located on the Tibetan part. The lake is located just 5 hours drive from Leh in the Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir.
The first glimpse of the tranquil, azure blue waters and shaky lakeshore remains etched in the memory of tourists. This area falls under army control and requires pass from deputy commissioner of Leh. During the winter season, the lake and its surroundings are engulfed by freezing temperature. The surface of the lake becomes so solid that one can’t walk over it. On the surface of frozen lake a gala festival of ice skating is organized. It calls on large number of skiers and ice skaters from several parts of the world. During this festival, tourists also get to see the local culture of the native people.
The route passes through beautiful Ladakh countryside, over Chang La, the third highest motorable mountain pass in the world. Traces of snow along the road welcome us. One can cross the valley on sinking road. The mountains in the backdrop appeared to be painted in the colors of green, brown and violet. There is a mountaineering school, which imparts training in various degrees of rock climbing.
Inner Line Permit
An Inner Line Permit is required to visit the lake because it is located on the Sino-Indian Line of Actual Control. If you are an Indian national, you can obtain individual permits. People of foreign nationality must have group permits (for a minimum of 3 people) accompanied by an accredited guide. The permit is issued by a tourist office in Leh for a small fee.
Where to Stay
For those who are looking forward to stay close to the lake, tents are the only option. There is a limited choice to stay around and near Pangong Tso. Located in close proximity to Pangong Tso, Lukung offers camping facilities in Eco huts. Basic accommodation is available in Spangmik, the only hotel offering luxury tents as well as rooms. The local households also offer accommodation but most of them have shared toilets or toilets outside the house.
Where to Eat
Just like accommodation, the options for eatery are also limited. It is always best to carry your own food stock. Although there are some eateries but the fare they offer is quite inexpensive. However, locals do provide home cooked food which is generally of good quality.
Best Time to Visit: June to September is the best time to travel to Pangong Tso.
Tsomoriri Lake: Ladakh Travel Guide
Also known as Moriri Lake, Tsomoriri Lake is positioned at an altitude of 15,075 feet and the largest lake in the Ladakh region. It has been declared as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2003. It is fed by two streams and springs. 7 kilometers wide and 19 kilometers long, this beautiful blue lake plays host to a large number of flora and fauna. Adjacent to this lake is a picturesque village known as Korzok, which is a popular tourist attraction due to its Buddhist monastery. This lake plays host to as many as 34 species of birds.
Tso Kar Lake: Ladakh Travel Guide
A vacillating salt lake located in Rapshu (Southern Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir), Tso Kar / Tsho Kar is popular for its depth and size. Being situated at a high altitude, the winter is at an extreme and the temperature falls below -40°C. During summer, the maximum temperature rises to 30°C. Along with this, during the day extreme fluctuations are experienced. Precipitation, either in the form of rain or snow, is extremely rare.
At the south-west end, the Tso Kar is connected to a Startsapuk Tso through an inlet stream. Both these lakes make More Plains pool of 9 sq km, which is overshadowed by tow mountain peaks namely Gursan (6370 m) and Thugje (6050 m). A couple of years ago, Tso Kar was one major source of salt which was then exported by Changpa nomads to Tibet. At a distance of 3 km towards the north, there is a nomadic settlement of Thugje. The tourists can also find accommodation in the tented camp on the lake’s west bank.
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