Ladakh, lying in the Trans Himalayan cold desert region, is blessed by Mother Nature with jaw-dropping landscapes and picturesque mountains set against a perfect backdrop of glaciers and sapphire-like gleaming blue skies. Lakes called Tso in the Ladakhi language, further add glory to this stupendous heaven. There are a lot of lakes in Ladakh, the most popular ones being Pangong Tso, Tsokar, and Tsomoriri. These lakes attract hordes of tourists every year, but the lesser-known lakes are equally beautiful and a must-visit for every Nature lover. The best time to visit here is between the months of May and September. As the temperature falls here, the lakes freeze completely.
A journey to this enthralling and awe-inspiring destination is equally blissful. And there is no better way to reach and explore this divine place than Riding. The feeling of adrenaline gushing down your body while riding your Beast on the toughest, yet the most spectacular terrains in the world are inimitable. If riding to this heaven comes atop your travel bucket list, then we at Backpackclan, have perfect road trip packages and custom-made travel plans to satisfy all your travel goals.
Beautiful Lakes in Ladakh
Pangong Tso
Pangong Tso, situated at a height of 4350m is the world’s highest saltwater lake in the world.
It is 134 km long and only 40% of the lake lies in the Indian territory, the rest being a part of Tibet. The most mesmerizing thing about the lake is its ever-changing colors. The color of the lake changes from blue, emerald green and red, many times during the day. If you are a Nature lover, then you won’t be able to take your eyes away from the captivating beauty of this place. You can even take up treks lasting from 7 days to 10 days, covering the stunning lakes of Ladakh.
Distance from Leh – 150 km
How to Reach – Bike, Car, Public Transport.
Things to do – Camping options are available if you wish to stay for long.
Tso Moriri
Tso Moriri, which means Mountain Lake in English is a glacial lake around 19 km in length is a sight to behold. Springs and snowmelt from the adjacent mountains feed the lake. The water of this lake is also brackish. Set on a height of 4522m, the lake, and its surroundings are home to a variety of flora and fauna.
Distance from Leh – 240 Km
How to Reach – Bike and explore this dauntingly beautiful place. Breathe in the scented air of this heaven and feel the wind tickle your body while riding a two-wheeled companion or hire a taxi.
Things to do – Camping, bird watching, and photography. Can also visit an adjacent village Korzok, famous for its natural beauty and a Buddhist monastery.
Tso Kar
Tso Kar, or White Lake, situated in the Rupshu Plateau and valley in the south of Ladakh, is a fluctuating salt lake as its size and temperature in its surroundings keep varying. Wolves, fox and marmots, Tibetan Gazelles, and Kiangs inhabit this basin and can be easily spotted during summers when the mercury rises to 30 degrees.
It’s situated at a height of 4530m and experiences fluctuating temperatures during the day. Camping enthusiasts can opt for tented camps on the western banks of the lake or even stay at the nomadic settlement of Thugje, located 3 km northwards of Tso Kar.
Yarab Tso
Yarab Tso, considered sacred for Hindus, is situated near the Diskit region of Nubra Valley. It’s a holy lake, surrounded by steep mountain cliffs and high altitude peaks, and the serenity and captivating beauty of this divine place is hard to rival. One can reach here after a 20 minutes uphill hike from the Panamaik Village. The crystal clear freshwater of the lake amidst the rocky and barren terrain flashes the enchanting reflection of its surroundings, making the view totally breathtaking.
Distance from Leh – 180 Km
How to Reach – Bikes and jeeps to get through the Nubra and travel to Sumur village in order to reach Yarab Tso lake.
Mirpal Tso
Mirpal Tso is situated at a height of 4914m in the Chushul region. This freshwater lake with sandy shores shimmers beneath snow-covered mountains and blue skies. The only challenge here is easy accessibility, but adventure seekers love to visit here as it calls for a great deal of effort and the reward that one gets is worth every ounce of effort gone in.
Distance from Leh – 202 Km
How to Reach – Bike(recommended because of the extremely rough roads) or car.
Lang Tso and Stat Tso
These twin lakes fall just around the corner of Pensi La Pass connecting Zanskar Valley with Suru Valley. The beauty of the place is totally majestic and once you reach here the feeling of oneness with Nature and solitude empowers you. Located at a height of 14ooo ft, this place is easily accessible for those who can make it this far.
Distance from Leh – 396 Km
How To Reach – Bike or Jeep.
I hope this information would come in handy for you whenever you plan for your next bike tour to Ladakh. We would love to hear some suggestions or recommendations from your end and if you wish to enquire anything please write in the comments section and our team of experts at Backpackclan.com will get back to you as soon as possible. Also, you can check out the list of essentials you may need while heading for this road trip.
