5 Popular Lakes in Ladakh You Must Visit

Despite the overall rocky and barren landscape with an extremely harsh winter climate, Ladakh is endowed with an impressive number of Lakes. While all the lakes here are magnificent, the following are the 5 most famous and known lakes you should see while visiting Ladakh.

5 Lakes to Visit in Ladakh

• Pangong Tso

One of the most popular lakes in Ladakh, Pangong Tso, deserves the most credit for getting people acquainted with the beauty of Ladakh. The lake immediately caught the attention of restless souls since its debut in the 2009 blockbuster 3 Idiots and, since then, remained a priority for travellers visiting Ladakh.

• Tso Moriri

At an elevation of 4,522 meters, Tso Moriri is the largest high-altitude lake in India. The Leh Ladakh lake is one of the most isolated places in the region and remains less crowded. The lake and its surrounding area, known as Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve, are home to many endangered bird species and animals.

So, wildlife enthusiasts can spot snow leopards, Tibetan wolfs and endangered birds like Black-necked cranes, Bar-headed geese, Brown-headed gulls, etc. 

• Tso Kar

Located in the south of Ladakh, Tso Kar is a unique lake where the eastern part of the lake is fresh water, and the western part is saline. With a small lake, Startsapuk Tso, on its southwest end, Tso Kar forms a twin lake. 

The blue waters against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains give this lake in Leh Ladakh a magical natural beauty revered by tourists seeking solitude.

• Yarab Tso

Located near the Nubra Valley, Yarab Tso is a freshwater lake near Leh Ladakh. The serene lake is situated near the Sumur village, about 15 km from the holy region of Diskit. 

As there are no motorable roads, the only way to reach this place is through a 20 minutes uphill trek from the Panamaik village. However, the magnificent view of the lake surrounded by rocky mountainous terrain from all sides well compensates for the hardship you endure during the trek. 

Remember, the lake is considered to be holy. So, don’t wash your feet in the lake’s water, an act considered disrespectful by the locals.

• Stat Tso and Lang Tso

Stat Tso and Lang Tso are picturesque lakes in the Zanskar region of Jammu and Kashmir. A shutterbug’s delight, the lake is one of those places in Ladakh that can provide you with enough picture-perfect spots and moments for your social media profiles. 

How to Reach Leh?

The most convenient way to reach Leh is to take a flight from Delhi, Chandigarh, Srinagar, or Jammu to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, the domestic airport in Leh. Alternatively, you can reach Ladakh by road through NH3 (Manali-Leh) or NH1 (Srinagar-Leh). Note that you might need some permits, and some roads may be closed during monsoons or winters. 

Whether it’s the mystical charm of Ladakh or the majestic mountain backdrops, the above lakes and their surrounding areas provide a surreal experience that can fill your heart with a sense of calm, solitude and the joy of feeling alive. 

So, take some time out of your busy schedule and head to Ladakh. Make sure you visit these lakes for a life-changing experience.