The Lakes Of Paradise - Leh Ladakh

By Author: shaurya Chalmela
Total Articles: 4
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Ladakh is not only the land of high passes but also several beautiful lakes. These lakes add to the stunning beauty and spectacular and unprecedented charm to the most popular tourist destination of the Himalayas - Leh Ladakh.

INTRODUCTION

What’s a heaven on earth without a beautiful, spectacular, breathtaking, sight of a series of lakes! The lakes of Ladakh are the lakes of paradise. One might get drowned into the peace they experience around them and fly along with the scenic beauty that can only be felt here in Ladakh.

LAKES OF LADAKH

Besides being the ‘land of high passes’, Ladakh has been a spectacular place for the beautiful lakes. The serene that lies near the water is nowhere to be found. The speciality of the lakes in Ladakh is majorly the surroundings around their banks. The perfect place to experience the calm mind and beautiful scenery. The experience here is a lifetime one; ...
... it is just nowhere to be found. The birds, the flowers, the sound of water, the chilly yet warm wind in the day time and the sky full of stars during the night, it all sums up to a peaceful mind and wonderful time. 

PANGONG TSO 

Surrounded by the golden plains and snow-peaked mountains, Pangong lake is a serene place. Pangong in Tibetan means ‘high grassland lake’ which pretty much sums up the place. Pangong is unique in its own way; its various characteristics make it stand out of the other lakes. 

The lake water changes its color with time; it does not remain the same throughout. The beautiful shades can be seen throughout the year. Pangong Tso has been a part of many movies for its scenic beauty; everyone remembers Kareena Kapoor Khan riding the yellow scooter in her wedding dress in the movie ‘3 idiots’. One cannot just take their eyes off the wonderful atmosphere around it.

Pangong Tso is situated upon 4350 meters (14,270 ft.) of height, for which the temperature is between -5°C to 10°C. Residing on such higher altitudes, Pangong Tso freezes during the winters, regardless of its salinity.

Pangong Lake is claimed both by India and China; therefore, it falls on the Sino-Indian Actual Line of Control. The tourists need permits to visit the lake, Indians can easily get the individual permits, but the foreigners need a group permit of at least three people to visit Pangong Tso.

Pangong Tso is approximately 250 kilometres from Leh; It is a 5-hour journey through road. The journey is so beautiful and breathtaking due to the scenic beauty throughout. The road travels through the countryside of Ladakh, passing through the Chang La mountain ranges and reaching the Chang La pass. In between, it crosses the villages named Shey, Gya, Tangste and also the river called ‘Pagal naala’ or ‘The crazy stream. Because it lies near the border, the visit is allowed only till Spangmik village. 

There are various options for a stay near Pangong Tso Lake. The travel packages include staying with them. The ones who travel on their own have other options like the camps, hotels, homestays, etc.

TSO KAR

Tso Kar lakes in Ladakh is a place great for bird watching. The highlight of Tso Kar lake is its richness in wildlife. There are many birds around the lake like, Brahmini ducks, the bar-headed geese, and the great crested grebe, but the main attraction here is the black-necked cranes. These cranes visit Tso Kar to lay their eggs. Apart from the birds, Tso Kar is home to the mammals, Kiangs and also the snow fox, snow leopard, and ibex, surrounded by hills and mountains. 

Tso Kar is well known as ‘White Lake’ because the lake leaves white salt over the shores. Tso Kar is one of the three high altitude salt lakes and also the smallest of all the lakes in Ladakh. Tso Kar is linked to Startspuk lake at the south-west end, through an estuary stream.  

During winters, the temperature here falls to about -40°C and during summers the highest it reaches is about 30°C. Also, in normal days, various fluctuations in the weather are seen. Tso Kar is also well known for its depth and size, and it lies on the Rapshu plateaus, which is the southern part of Ladakh.

Tso Kar does not have many visitors here but the very few who visit here experience the real natural beauty and the spectacular scenery, which might not be seen around the other lakes. And not just during the day but at night the sight of the glowing mountains is magnificent.

It is approximately 160 kilometres away from Leh; a person can rent a car or reach here through their private vehicle. 

There are resorts and hotels in Tso Kar for the stay, and also there are various camps available. The options for camping are less due to the weather conditions in Tso Kar, so hotels are a better option.  

TSO MORIRI

Tso Moriri Lake is known to be a twin to Pangong Tso Lake. However, Tso Moriri is a little higher than Pangong Tso Lake, supporting more birdlife. Tso Moriri Lake’s water is crystal clear and is deep blue in color. Tso Moriri is known to be fed by the mountain stream and snow melts from the mountain making it a freshwater lake in Ladakh region. 

The scenic beauty of this place with such a calm and composed environment provides so much to this place’s vibrations. Tso Moriri Lake is known to be the largest high altitude lake that entirely belongs to the Indian region and is an Indian territory. Tso Moriri Lake is officially known as the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve because it is a Wetland Reserve under the Ramsar site, which bans people for building any kind of camp near the lake, It has a rich flora and fauna.

Tso Moriri Lake is located in Chanthang with an altitude of 4,375 meters (15,075 ft.). It is 28 kilometres from north to south and about 4-6 kilometres in breadth and about an average of 100 ft. In-depth, maximum depth of Tso Moriri is 248 ft. 

Tso Moriri is situated in the middle of the Rupshu district. The drive from Leh is about 7-9 hours considering the distance of about 137 kilometres. The permit is needed to visit the Tso Moriri Lake lake because it lies near the Actual Line Of Control.

The building of camps is restricted on the banks of Tso Moriri, so one can find accommodation in the Korzok village, which is nearby.  

A dip into the alluring beauty of these lakes is a must for everyone. The reconciliation that one’s mind receives here is nowhere to be found.