Ladakh

Ladakh has been blessed with stunning sceneries, notably its sparkling crystal clear lakes, despite being a freezing desert and the land of high-altitude mountain passes. Tso Lakes are found in Ladakh. Ladakh has a number of beautiful lakes spread across its vast landmass. The best time to visit these lakes is between May and September, as these high-altitude lakes freeze during the winter months. The following are some of Ladakh's most well-known lakes.

Pangong Tso

Pangong Lake, the world's highest salt lake, is the most popular lake in Ladakh, located about 160 kilometres from Leh. Only a third of this lake belongs to India; the remainder is in Tibet, a Chinese-controlled territory. This endorheic lake is located at a height of approximately 14,270 feet. The lake is 134 kilometres long and is located on the Changtang plateau in Ladakh's eastern region. It's also known as the 'Hollow Lake,' since its brine changes colour depending on the amount of sunlight it receives. The lake and its environs are extremely gorgeous and hypnotic. During the winter, the lake freezes and hardens like a road. The lake is then transformed into the site of a grand ice skating festival, which attracts a large number of skiers from all over the world. The Indian army controls the lake's region. While Indian citizens do not require a permit to visit the lake, foreign tourists must seek a permit from the deputy commissioner of Leh for a modest cost. To get to the lake, drive through the beautiful and peaceful scenery, passing through Chang La, the world's third-highest motorable mountain pass. From June through September is the finest season to visit Pangong Tso.

Tso Moriri

Lake Moriri, also known as Tso Moriri, is a lake in Jammu and Kashmir that is located in the Changthang area at a height of 15,075 feet. Ladakh to the north, Zanskar to the west, and Tibet to the east all border this lake. It's one of the Trans-Himalayan region's largest high-altitude lakes. Another renowned site in this area is Korzok Village.
Tso Moriri was designated as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention in 2002 and is fed by two streams and springs. Melting water from the nearby ice masses also supplies it. The 19-kilometre-long and 7-kilometre-wide lake is home to a diverse array of vegetation and wildlife. In the winter, the lake freezes entirely, allowing you to walk on it. Bird watching is a common pastime here, as the lake draws up to 34 different species of birds.

Tso Kar

Tso Kar, which is connected by a tiny creek, can be considered a twin lake because the western section of the lake is salty and the eastern part is fresh. This fluctuating salt lake is located in Rapshu in southern Ladakh and changes in size and depth. While the temperature rises to roughly 30 degrees Celsius in the summer, it drops to as low as 40 degrees Celsius in the winter. From the southwest end of Tso Kar, an inflow creek joins it to Startsapuk Tso. These two lakes, which resemble monotonous ponds, are bordered by two peaks, Thugje and Gursan. This lake was once a significant source of salt for Changpa nomads and exported to Tibet. Tented campsites are available on the lake's western coast for visitors. Thugje, a nomadic hamlet, is another choice. It is 3 km away north of Tso Kar.

Yarab Tso Lake

Yarab Tso Lake, about 15 kilometres from Diskit in Nubra Valley, is bordered by the quaint town of Sumur. The breathtaking scenery of this lake is accessible after a 15-20 minute hill hike from the Panamaik hamlet.
Yarab Tso Lake, one of the high-altitude lakes in Nubra Valley, is also renowned as a sacred lake. The harsh and rocky scenery of the surrounding area may be seen from the lake's crystal clear water bed.

Mirpal Tso

Mirpal Tso is a tranquil and entirely solitary location near Chusul. Freshwater may be located close to the lake's southern coast, and the lake's surface is sandy. This lake will undoubtedly enchant you with it's own pristine views. This lake, totally hidden beyond tourists' eyes, can be reached after crossing through Kaksang La. The lake is not that far from Chusul. Even when the lake's surface seems sandy like a seashore, one side of the lake retains freshwater.

Chagar Tso is another gorgeous lake in Ladakh, located on the way to Pangong Lake. Despite its small size, the lake is well worth a visit. You'll pass through Chagar Tso on your route to Pangong Lake, another beautiful natural wonder. This region is home to a high number of migratory birds, making it a bird watcher's delight. This lake is well-known for its beauty, enchantment, and calming vibe.

Kyun Tso and Ryul Tso

The twin lakes of Kyun Tso and Ryul Tso, near Hanle and Nyoma, are roughly 5000 metres above sea level and are located near Hanle and Nyoma. Also known as cooling Tso, Kyun Tso is a type of Tso. Few visitors visit this lake because the path to it is rough and permissions are required to reach it. The path to these twin lakes is Mahe - Nyoma - Nidar - Thit Zarbo La.

Kiagar Tso

Kiagar Tso, located on the Changthang plateau and on the road to Tso Moriri, is another spectacular lake in the region. The Changpas, Ladakh's nomadic tribe, live in the area surrounding the lake. Tso Moriri and Kiagar Lake are 10 kilometres apart.
Kiagar Tso, also known as Kyaghr Lake, is 3 kilometres long, 22 metres deep, and 1.5 kilometres wide. This brackish-water lake is where many hikers stop before continuing on to Kiangdum camping ground near the Tso Moriri. The place is 22 kilometres away. The lake is located in Himachal Pradesh, on the way from Ladakh to Spiti.

Stat Tso and Lang Tso

These two breathtakingly magnificent lakes are so pristine and crystalline that the snowcapped peaks of Zanskar may be seen reflected in the water. You can also have a nice time camping near the lake.You can also take as many shots as you like while enjoying the tranquilly of the settings. Stat Tso and Lang Tso are twin lakes located in the Zanskar area of Ladakh, close to Zanskar's highest point, Pensi La.

Suraj Taal

The divine lake of Suraj Tal, also known as Surya Taal, is surrounded by stunning valleys and magnificent mountains. It originates from the Bhaga tributary of the Chandrabhaga river and flows beneath the Bara-lacha-la pass in Lahaul Spiti valley. This gorgeous lake has been dubbed the world's 21st highest lake and India's third-highest lake. It is also known as the Sun God's Lake, and it is said that taking a swim in this sacred lake will purify you of all your sins. The beauty of this lake is completely enhanced during the winter when the mountains surrounding it are blanketed in layers of snow, and it appears to be nothing less than a beautiful paradise.
The regions surrounding it are mostly uninhabited as the climatic conditions prevailing here are akin to those in the Polar region. This lake is not only a scenic paradise for nature lovers and a blissful treat for the divine souls, but it is also a hotspot for trekking and motorcycling enthusiasts. The most prominent reason why this lake has gained immense popularity is that this lake comes en-route of the Manali-Leh path, which is extremely renowned for bike trips and trekking.