5 High Altitude Lakes of India
India is home to some of the most beautiful high-altitude lakes in the world. Stunning views, picturesque surroundings, and crystal-clear waters are what you can expect when you visit these high-altitude regions. Read on to find out more about accessing these regions and the best times to visit, so you can make the most of your trip.
Sela Lake, Arunachal Pradesh: This lake is located on top of the Sela Pass Road. Located at nearly 13700 feet, it is a sacred lake for the followers of Buddhism. The crystal blue waters of this beautiful lake reflect the snowclad mountains around providing beautiful photography moments. This pass is the only way to approach Tawang and the lake is located close to the top of Sela Pass and is easily approachable. The lake gets frozen during the winter. The road trudges along the full length of the lake, and the travellers can stop at vantage points to catch a glimpse of the lake.
Suraj Tal, Himachal Pradesh: Located close to Baralacha La pass on the Manali – Leh highway, the Suraj Tal is one among the top 3 highest lakes in the country. The lake is the starting point for the Bhaga River, which then flows down from the lake to join Chandra River and forms the Chandrabhaga River. The highway goes around the lake providing a great view. The buses and private vehicles stop here, soak in the beauty of the lake and then move on. The length of the lake is about 2600 feet, and it is at a height of nearly 16,000 feet.
Pangong Tso, Ladakh: Located at a height of nearly 14000 feet, it is the most popular and most visited high-altitude lake of the country. Beautiful and surreal the lake is an artistic creation of nature with mountains lining up the far end and plains on the near end. The lake covers an area of 700 square kilometres and is about 5 kilometres wide at its widest point. Winters are not the time to visit this area as the lake gets frozen. The lake has been a bone of contention between India and China ever since China occupied the sovereign nation of Tibet.
Gurudongmar Lake, Sikkim: At 17,800 feet above sea level this lake is officially the highest lake in India. The Tibetan Buddhist priest Rinpoche also known as Guru Padmasambhava visited Sikkim in the 8th century and the lake has his name. The lake is a revered place for the people following Buddhism. The location is connected by road and nature lovers make it a point to travel all the way to north Sikkim and visit this lake. The lake is a revered place for Buddhists who believe that Guru Padmasambhava created it.
Tso Moriri Lake, Ladakh: This lake covers an area of nearly 125 square kilometres and is perched at a height of nearly 14900 feet above sea level. Located amidst a landscape no less beautiful than its more famous neighbour Pangong Tso, it has started attracting tourists off late. The lake is about 25 kilometres in length and 5 kilometres wide at its widest point. The small streams and glaciers in the surrounding mountains are the source of water to this lake. It has no outlet for water to flow out and the water stagnates making it saline. The lake freezes during winter.
