The lakes are undoubtedly the biggest tourist attraction in Ladakh. Some of them are quite large and famous; while others are a bit smaller and known only to some. Some are easily accessible while others require you to stay a little remote and off the road. The common factor among all these lakes, however, is that they are all incredibly beautiful. All are charming in their own way and have a different color every season. How much you can visit will depend entirely on the time you have on hand, but if you ask me, I will recommend them all. Below is a list of lakes in Ladakh that can help you decide which ones to include in your itinerary.

flikr

The information below will include a brief summary of the lake; and other details, such as where it is located and how to get there. I will try to keep the list as comprehensive as possible, but it is definitely not an exhaustive list. I’m sure there are numerous hidden lakes up there in the hills, of which not even I am aware. Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri are the two most mentioned lakes, but the list is definitely much longer. There are many other wonderful lakes in Ladakh and visiting them will give you a chance to get away from the crowd while enjoying the majestic scenery. Ladakh is India’s second largest district in terms of area, so you can imagine how long the list of lakes will be if they are all documented.

Lakes in Ladakh

Why are Ladakh Lakes so important? It is not just the lake to be honest, but the whole scenery. A body of deep blue water under a deep blue sky against the barren brown of Ladakh hills, accompanied by snow-white tops and floating clouds, and a few ducks swimming, definitely make the whole picture a portrait of a photographer. treat. This is why it is a lake that has become the very symbol of Ladakh in recent years.

As we get into the list, I will recommend that you take a look at the Road Map of Ladakh – A Detailed Map of Ladakh. This is a map of Ladakh that I created some time ago and all the lakes I am mentioning below are marked on it. This will make it a little easier to understand exactly where the lake is located.

How many lakes are there in Ladakh

There is no answer to this question because no one really knows. There are several lakes that don’t even have a name yet. Some have not even been explored and are not yet documented. This will also depend on the definition of what qualifies as a lake. There are several small bodies of water that are not considered lake, even by an absolute definition of the term.

Famous lakes in Ladakh

Which brings us to our next question about the lakes that will be relevant to you as a tourist? There are about 8 to 10 lakes that remain on the tourist radar commonly and 3 that are most visited. The reason behind this is that they are the largest or easily accessible; or are on their way.

Flikr

List of lakes in Ladakh

Note that my listing order is only by the size and popularity of the lake. I am not comparing either of these lakes in terms of beauty or claiming that one is better than the other. Below is a list of the lakes.

  • Pangong Tso
  • Tso moriri
  • Tso kar
  • Kiagar Tso
  • Startspuk Tso
  • Deepak tal
  • Suraj Tal
  • Ryul Lake
  • Chilling Tso
  • Mirpal Tso (Mitpal Tso)
  • Yaye Tso
  • Yusup Tso (Ordong Tso)
  • Yashu Tso (Kyule Tso)
  • Spanggur tso
  • Chagar Tso
  • Kela Tso
  • Yarab Tso (Yerep Tso)
  • Stat Tso
  • Lang Tso
  • Tso ltak

Pangong Tso

The first name on the list may, of course, be none other than the beautiful Pangong Tso. This lake is a giant in every way, from its size to its magnificent beauty. With a total length of 134 kilometers, it extends from India to China; approximately 60% of its length in China. In a backdrop of intense blue sky, golden plains and snowy peaks, Pangong Tso is truly magical and Ladakh’s biggest tourist attraction.

It is located at a distance of about 150 kilometers from the city of Leh and attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. It is hard to believe that this lake was unknown to most people until about 10 years ago. The road from Leh to Pangong Tso is quiet and you can get here without any difficulty. A stroll along the shores of this blue beauty and a night in the countryside here will be a memory that you will long cherish.

If you have been here this winter, you will be presented with a fully frozen white Pangong. To learn more about planning a trip to Pangong Tso, read How to plan a trip to Pangong Tso. There are several campsites and lodges on the lake where you can stay all night.

  • Distance From Leh: 150 Kilometers
  • Elevation: 4,250 meters
  • Best time to visit: April to September
  • Accommodation: Campsites, Bed and Breakfasts, Chadar Tents, Paying Guests
  • Motorable Road: Yes
  • Public Transportation: Yes
  • Permissions issued: Yes

flikr

Tso moriri

After Pangong, the second name is always Tso Moriri. It may be a little smaller than Pangong size, but make no mistake; It is equal in beauty in every way. I even had people traveling to these two places and they told me that they found Tso Moriri better. It is located at a distance of about 220 kilometers from the city of Leh (depending on the route you take) and at an altitude of 4,522 meters. Yes, you read that right. It is at an even higher altitude than Pangong.

The difference in both bodies of water is that Pangong is a saltwater lake, while Tso Moriri is a freshwater lake. It supports a wide variety of fauna and flora, including various endangered bird species. It is 19 kilometers long, making it the largest high altitude lake entirely within India and entirely within Ladakh in the Trans-Himalayan biogeographic region. Read Leh to Tso Moriri Travel Guide to know how you can plan a trip to Tso Moriri after arriving in Ladakh.

  • Distance From Leh: 220 Kilometers
  • Elevation: 4,522 meters
  • Best time to visit: April to September
  • Accommodation: Campsites, Inns, Paying
  • Motorable Road: Yes
  • Public Transportation: Yes
  • Permissions issued: Yes

Tso kar

Tso Kar is the third best known lake in Ladakh, but it is also one of the least visited. It is located at a distance of about 150 kilometers from Leh, at an altitude of 4,530 meters, which elevates it higher than the Pangong and Moriri Lakes. Like Pangong, Tso Kar is also a saltwater lake, but much smaller in size. Do not let that stop you from visiting here. It is a beautiful lake, easily accessible and can be incorporated into your itinerary. In fact, this is probably the only lake that you don’t have to spend more time visiting.

A Manali Leh Highway road forks near Pang and takes you to Tso Kar twenty minutes later. Then you can plan your trip to Tso Kar, which goes to Leh or from Leh to Manali. Another way to visit would be to get to Tso Moriri from Leh via Chumathang and then return while taking the road via Polo Kongka La and Tso Kar.

  • Distance from Leh: 150 kilometers
  • Elevation: 4,530 meters
  • Best time to visit: April to September
  • Accommodation: Campsites, Tents of Chadar
  • Motorable Road: Yes
  • Public Transportation: Yes
  • Permissions issued: Yes

Flikr

Kiagar Tso

Kiagar Tso, also known as Kyagar Tso, is located at a distance of about 190 kilometers from Leh. It is a lesser known small lake that is about 20 kilometers from Tso Moriri while you travel from Leh to Karzok. Many people do not know this because everyone is going to Karzok to see the largest lake, Tso Moriri. Everyone simply ignores this little body of water and heads towards Tso Moriri, but Kiagar Tso is a beauty in itself and definitely deserves a little break before traveling. Wildlife can be seen grazing on its shores and the whole environment of the lake is very refreshing. For a visit here too, you don’t need some time and can include it in your trip to Tso Moriri.

  • Distance From Leh: 190 Kilometers
  • Elevation: 4,500 meters
  • Best time to visit: April to September
  • Accommodation: None
  • Motorable Road: Yes
  • Public Transportation: Yes
  • Permissions issued: Yes

Startspuk Tso

This lake is located beside Lake Tso Kar. If you were traveling from Karzok towards Pang, you would first cross Startspuk Tso and then Tso Kar. The lake is about 75 km from Tso Moriri and 5 km from Tso Kar. Because these two lakes are so close together, this small lake is often as confusing as Tso Kar himself. In fact, you will hardly notice and miss the lake if you still did not know what you were looking for. No additional time is required for this lake and it will become part of your journey to Tso Moriri and Tso Kar.

  • Distance from Leh: 155 kilometers
  • Elevation: 4,530 meters
  • Best time to visit: April to September
  • Accommodation: None
  • Motorable Road: Yes
  • Public Transportation: Yes
  • Permissions issued: Yes

flikr