10 High Altitude Lake Treks in India

India is a country of wonders. And it is the land of mighty Himalayas. Apart from many mesmerizing places like Shimla & Manali, Palampur, Dalhousie in the Himalayas, there are several beautiful high attitude lake treks in India, including some which provide the glimpses of heaven. You may enjoy the picturesque beauty of lakes in the Himalayas and the tall mountain range. While most of the tourists contain themselves indulging in Shimla, or visit Manali amidst the snow season, or ride the Kalka Shimla toy train, or, trek in Naldehra. And in fact, even do tours to Tibet! But these treks that we are talking about here, still remain untouched. There is just so much more awaiting to be explored in the upper Himalayas (You must have realised by now that I am insanely in love with the Himalayan terrain! Yes, ever since the first trip of my life where I spent most of my time trekking through the Himalayas with my family ). Like these unspoiled, out of the world high attitude lake treks in India.

The beautiful and enigmatic perception of these lakes is indeed an exuberant realism. For the travelers and photographers these high-altitude lakes act as a medium to attain gratification. These high altitude lakes are mostly situated in the most beautiful areas in India. And they are totally worth exploring for any traveler, trekker or photographer. Since many of these are unexplored. And their beauty untouched. Here is the list of the top 10 such high altitude lakes to go exploring. When you visit some these lakes, we highly recommend go for renting a bike and cycling , or a car camping to have a one of a kind experience. Since, there are hardly any accommodations around these lakes. Here’s some awesome car camping hacks and a vegan food guide for camping that will help you pack the right outdoor gears and have a wonderful adventure trip!

Most of these lakes can ideally be visited in May through August, when the summer season is at its peak and trekking is easy.

Gurudongmar, Sikkim

Gurudongmar lake is one of the most sacred lakes as considered by the Buddhists and Hindus alike. This mesmerizing and majestic lake is 200 kilometres from Gangtok city. And is chalky in color all over the year. This lake is amongst the top 15 highest lakes in the world. And it is the second highest lake in India, so this lake deserves the applause of the highest category.  Thus, this high attitude lake trek in India is one of the highest in the world. The words of it’s beauty are already spread long and wide by different travelers and photographers.

Pangong Tso, Jammu & Kashmir

Pangong Tso lake is India’s most beautiful high-altitude lake. The area of the lake is also quite large. As it’s spread over 29000 hectares. Also, this lake passes from the India – China border. So there is a dispute over this lake between the two nations. Nevertheless, it doesn’t deter the lovers of nature from visiting this lake. This lake is situated at an altitude of 13900 foot in the heart of the Himalayas. Also this lake is 134 kilometres in length. overall, its large area and the enormous height make this lake outstanding and astonishing. One must visit Jammu & Kashmir for sure. And when visiting there, one must not miss the high attitude lake treks in India along the Pangong Tso lake.

Tso Moriri, Jammu & Kashmir

Tso Moriri lake is one of the high altitudes lakes of India at a mind-boggling altitude of 15000 foot. Which is even higher than Pangong. This grand lake is situated in secluded, breathtakingly beautiful Rupshu Valley. Travelers can only visit with a permit as the restriction is imposed by the Indian government. Actually this Tso Moriri lake and its surrounding area are protected as the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve by the Government of India. The lake is fed through two streams of melting ice. And it is mostly accessible in the summer months. Thus, plan accordingly for this – one of the best high attitude lake treks in India.

Chandratal, Himachal Pradesh

Chandratal is the most visited high-altitude lake in Himachal Pradesh. As, it is located at an elevation of 4270 metres, which is more easily accessible. This lake can be approached upon from ‘Batal’ which is 120 Km from Manali on Manali – Kaza State Highway which links Spiti valley with Lahaul valley. Many travel agencies provide guided and organized trek to Chandratal Lake. The best time to visit is in the summer months. One should also plan to visit the Lahaul & Spiti valley along with visiting the Chandratal Lake.

Gangabal, Jammu & Kashmir

Most of the high-altitude lakes in India are in the Ladakh region. Ladakh offers variety of treks and sightseeing that you should never miss. With Gangabal lake being one of the biggest in rest of Himalayan states. As, this lake is located at the foothills of Mount Haramukh in the north of Srinagar. At an altitude of 3500 metres, this lake is habitat for many fish species, as well as the brown trout. The source of water in the lake include precipitation, glaciers and springs. From Srinagar, one has to travel 45 km by road. And then there is a trek on foot for 15 km. This stretch can also be covered on a horse back. Another trekking path via Sonmarg also leads to this lake.

Suraj Tal, Himachal Pradesh

Suraj Tal (“tal” = lake) rests just by the Baralachala pass 4,900 m, once again in the Lahaul & Spiti valley. This lake is purely magnificent and divine as the view around the lake is calm and cosy. This lake attracts a high number of tourists who come here to seek the love of mother nature. “Suraj Tal” literally means the lake of the Sun (Actually, Sun God). This lake is considered as a holy or sacred body of water. And it is also the source of water to a few major rivers that span through the states of Jammu & Kashmir as well as Himachal Pradesh.

Tso Kar, Jammu & Kashmir

This lake is located at the highest level at an altitude of 15000 foot in the Changthang region of South Eastern Ladakh. It is also known as the White Lake. If you want to experience the plush watery scenic beauty, then this place is a must for you. But then yes, it is not as easily accessible as the other low lying lakes. However, this is not a botheration to the lovers of nature who do trek to this Lake in the summer months every year. This lake is famous for the floating vegetation islands that appear in the lake in the months of spring and disappear by the winter season.

Tsomgo, Sikkim

The lake is located at an altitude of 3780 m in the north-eastern part of Sikkim. It is oval-shaped, with a length of roughly a kilometre and has an average depth of 15 meters. This lake is worshipped as a holy lake by locals. The lake derives its water from the melting snows of the mountains surrounding the lake. As, there are steep mountains surrounding this lake from all sides. And these mountains get snow capped in the winter season, producing a mesmerizing view.

Kedar Tal, Uttarakhand

Kedar Tal is located in Uttarkashi district at 4400 metres of height. Gangotri is the nearest place to this point along the Kedar Ganga. The route starts from the Gangotri and it has steep narrow turns along the embedded rocks. This route is an eight-kilometre-long stretch. The stretch continues for four more kilometres to the next camping site Kedarkharak. However, it is totally worth to take up this trek. As the path passes through very beautiful mountain forests and valleys.

Roopkund, Uttarakhand

Roopkund lake though not very large or most attractive like additional lakes in Ladakh or Sikkim, it is one of the greatest talked about high-altitude lakes in India. Also, called the Skeleton Lake and locals have termed it as the Mystery Lake. The lake rests at an elevation of 5,000 meters above the sea level in the Garhwal and it is the third highest lake in India.

For our readers from India, we do enjoy similar terrains outside like the national parks in Alaska, or the landscapes of Iceland. And sometimes go as far as spending days in Switzerland for tryst with snow in mount Titlis. Some plan trip to Nepal and visit Tibet. If you look closely, you can get a very similar experience visiting these lake treks in Himalayas, much closer to home. At much cheap flight tickets, economical accommodation and native budget tour in India ! So, go ahead and start planning your next trek to one of these lakes.

Author’s Bio:

Rohit is a passionate traveller and explorer who believes in living the life to the fullest. He travels different place to experience new things. He is also an adventure lover you can follow him on transindiatravels.com.

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