High Altitude Lakes of Ladakh

Explore the stunning turquoise waters tucked away in the rain-shadow desert of the Himalayas.

Pangong Tso high-altitude lake blue waters Ladakh Pangong Tso

Pangong Tso

Altitude: 4,225 meters | Distance from Leh: 140 km

Spanning from India into Tibet, Pangong Tso is famous for its color-changing waters. We recommend staying overnight in Merak or Spangmik rather than Tangtse to experience the early morning lake reflections. To visit Pangong Lake, check out our 7-Day Srinagar to Leh Itinerary to plan your travel routes correctly.

Permits: ILP Required. Easily obtainable online.
Tso Moriri lake side panoramic view Changthang Ladakh Tso Moriri

Tso Moriri

Altitude: 4,522 meters | Distance from Leh: 220 km

A pristine wetland sanctuary in Changthang, hosting migratory birds and Tibetan wild ass (Kiang). The village of Karzok sits on the banks, offering rustic guest houses and beautiful sunrise photography viewpoints.

Permits: ILP Required. Stricter checking than Pangong due to border proximity.
Stat Tso Lang Tso twin glacial lakes Pensi La pass Zanskar Stat Tso & Lang Tso (Zanskar)

Stat Tso & Lang Tso

Altitude: 4,400 meters | Distance from Kargil: 150 km

Located near the summit of Pensi La pass, these twin glacial lakes lie at the foot of the magnificent Drang-Drung Glacier. They are completely offbeat, crowd-free, and require no permits to visit. They are accessible along the scenic route through Suru Valley. You can check active road updates for Pensi La on the Live Road Status page.

Permits: No permits required. Accessible on the Kargil-Padum route.