Heaven on Earth: Ladakh (Part II – Tso Moriri)

Aug 23, 2013

3 min read

Hi Everybody 🙂

I’m very happy with the response I have received on the photo tour of Pangong Lake in the first part of my “Heaven on Earth: Ladakh” series! Thank you very much!

For first-time visitors to my blog, here’s the link to find out how to reach Ladakh and enjoy the photo tour of Pangong Lake: Heaven on Earth: Ladakh (Part I – Pangong Tso)

Today’s post is about Tso Moriri or “The Mountain Lake” (popularly known as Tsomoriri Lake) which is picturesquely situated in the secluded, breathtakingly beautiful Rupshu Valley about 240 kilometres southeast of Leh, the capital of Ladakh district.

A bit about Tso Moriri…

At a staggering altitude of 4595 Meters or 15075 feet above sea level, higher than the Pangong Tso or Pangong Lake, this serene saltwater lake is about 7 KM wide at its broadest point and about 20 KM long. In fact, it is the largest high altitude lake in India that is entirely in Indian Territory.

Flanked by lofty mountains, this beautiful lake and the area around it attract a range of wildlife, including migratory birds, marmots, wild asses, and Tibetan wolves. It is not only a part of the Tsomoriri Wetland Conservation Reserve under the Ramsar Convention but is also thehighest Ramsar site in the world.

What is the Ramsar Convention?…

TheRamsar Convention is the Convention on Wetlands signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. It is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international co-operation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

A bit about visiting Tso Moriri…

Compared to Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri gets less number of tourists. The peak tourist season is from May to August. From September onwards the cold begins to set in. From January to March, Tso Moriri remains mostly frozen with extremely cold conditions making it difficult to stay. In April, the snow begins to melt. Since, it is very near to the Line of Actual Control, visitors need to get an Inner Line Permit to visit Tso Moriri.

A one night stay helps to watch sunrise and sunset over the picturesque landscape and to truly witness the mesmerizing beauty of this blue-coloured salt water lake. It also accommodates a trip to the Korzok Monastery.

Most visit the lake with an organized tour from Leh, which usually includes camping equipment and a cook. Being a Ramsar site, it is restricted to pitch tents or construct anything near the banks of the lake. Tents can be pitched near the other tented colonies just before Korzok village. Since it’s a remote place, when there’s no accommodation available at the camps/tents during the tourist season, the nearest place to stay or find food is either in some home stay type guest house at Korzok village or at Chumathang.

Come, travel with me to Tso Moriri through my photographs…