Tso Moriri
A high-altitude lake about 4,522 meters above sea level, southeast of Leh. A Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, it is wilder and quieter than Pangong Lake.
Tso Moriri lies on the Changtang Plateau in southeastern Ladakh. Its surface sits at about 4,522 meters, and it stretches roughly 19 km. It is the largest high-altitude lake in India that lies entirely within the country, and it is listed as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. Beside the lake there is only one small village, Karzok, and a small monastery. Nomads graze yaks and sheep in the surrounding area. In summer you can see bar-headed geese and brown-headed gulls, and if you're lucky, Tibetan wild asses. It's about 220–240 km from Leh, a 7–8 hour drive, and you'll usually need to stay overnight (Karzok has homestays and tent camps). It can also be combined with Pangong Lake as a loop. The lake is higher than Pangong, with more basic facilities, so it suits visitors who are fully acclimatized to altitude. A protected-area permit is required.
Opening hours
All day