Chumathang Hot Water Spring, Leh, Ladakh

Chumathang Hot Water Spring, Leh, Ladakh

Chumathang Hot Water Spring is a hot water spring located in Chumathang Village in Leh District of the Union Territory of Ladakh, India. It is situated on the northern banks of Indus River. It is situated on the way to the renowned Tso Moriri Lake.

The Hot Water Spring

It is a hot sulphur spring situated on the northern bank of Indus River. It is situated at an elevation of 3,300 meters above sea level. It is known for its mineral-rich water with therapeutic properties. The water is believed to alleviate skin allergies and soothe sore joints and muscles. Tourists can take bath in the small bathrooms that are made near these hot waters. Tourists used to buy eggs from the nearby shops and boil them in the spring water. This offers a unique flavour to the boiled eggs. Chumathang is situated significantly lower than the Tso Moriri lake. Thus, this village serves as a good stop for people suffering from altitude sickness while returning from Tso Moriri.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/chumathang-hot-water-spring-leh-connectivity.html

Location

Chumathang Gompa, Leh, Ladakh

Chumathang Gompa, Leh, Ladakh

Chumathang Gompa is a Buddhist monastery located in Chumathang Village in Leh District of the Union Territory of Ladakh, India. This gompa is situated on the northern banks of Indus River. This gompa is around 400 years old and is considered as one among the oldest monasteries of Ladakh. This gompa is situated close to Chumathang Hot Water Spring.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/chumathang-gompa-leh-connectivity.html

Location

Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Leh, Ladakh

Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Leh, Ladakh

Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is a high-altitude wildlife sanctuary located in the Ladakhi adjunct of the Changthang plateau in the Leh District of the union territory of Ladakh. This sanctuary is also called Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary was established in 1987. It is one of the largest wildlife reserves in the world, alongside Northeast Greenland National Park in Greenland.

The Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary covers an area of about 1,600 km2 situated in the Ladakhi adjunct of the Changtang plateau. The altitude of the sanctuary varies from 4,300 to 5,800 metres (14,000 to 19,000 ft), and the topography is formed of deep gorges and vast plateaus. There are around 11 lakes and 10 marshes in the sanctuary and the majestic Indus River flows through the sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.

The sanctuary is surrounded by three large lakes namely Tso Moriri, Tso Kar Lake and Pangong Tso. Karzok village at 4,560 metres (14,960 ft) above sea level is situated on the northwest bank of this lake and is claimed to be the world's highest year-round inhabited village. The best time to visit Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is between the months of May and December. This is because the weather is best during these months.

Flora:

The sanctuary has natural grasslands and a wide variety of more than 200 species of wild plants grow in the higher pastures of this area, most of which is edible for animals. The vegetation is sparse in the sanctuary, but the marginal conditions have resulted in species with some remarkable characteristics. Seven rare and endangered plants with certain medicinal properties have been discovered in the sanctuary. Some of those species are listed as vulnerable and endangered on the IUCN Red List. The prominent species found in the sanctuary are Pink Arnebia (Arnebia euchroma), Siberian Cranesbill (Geranium sibiricum), Depgul (Lancea tibetica), Common Alplily (Lloydia serotina), and Gerard jointfir (Ephedra gerardiana).

Fauna:

The mammals found in the sanctuary are snow leopard, lynx, wild dog, kiang (Tibetan wild ass), Tibetan wolf, wild yak, bharal, brown bear, Ladakh urial, ibex, Tibetan argali, Tibetan gazelle, and marmot. The sanctuary is home to around 44 species of water birds and migratory birds. Some of the birds found in the sanctuary are black-necked crane, bar headed goose, common merganser, common sandpiper, northern pintail, ruddy shelduck, black winged stilt, Kentish plover, lesser sand plover, little ringed plover, Pacific golden plover, brahminy duck, red crested pochard, water rail, Palla’s gull, brown headed gull, little gull, eurasian wigeon, ferruginous duck, gadwall, garganey, mallard, northern shoveler, tufted duck, grey heron, common tern, Citrine wagtail, blacked necked grebe, great crested grebe, eurasian coot, pied avocet, common redshank, common snipe, eurasian curlew, green sandpiper, little stint, ruff, and Temminck’s stint.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/changthang-wildlife-sanctuary-leh-connectivity.html

Location

Yarab Tso, Panamik, Ladakh

Yarab Tso, Panamik, Ladakh

Yarab Tso is a high-altitude fresh water lake in Nubra Valley located near Panamik village in Nubra District in the Union Territory of Ladakh, India. This lake is situated on the eastern bank of Nubra River.

The Lake

It is a fresh water lake situated at an altitude of about 15,000 feet above sea level in the Nubra Valley. The lake consists of crystal-clear water and is surrounded by mountain peaks. This lake is considered a sacred lake by the locals, and many believe that the lake has spiritual powers. The lake can be reached after a hike of about 20 minutes from the Panamik village. The best time to visit this lake is from July to September.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/yarab-tso-panamik-connectivity.html

Location

Kyagar Tso, Leh, Ladakh

Kyagar Tso, Leh, Ladakh

Kyagar Tso is a high-altitude lake located in the Changthang Plateau (northern plains) in the Rupshu Valley in Leh District of the Union Territory of Ladakh, India. It is a small brackish lake surrounded by mountains. The lake is situated on the Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri route.

The Lake

It is a very small saline water lake situated at an elevation of 4.705 m (15.44 ft) above the sea level. It lies in the Changthang Plateau (northern plains) in the Rupshu Valley. The lake is about 4.5 Kms in length and 3.25 Kms in breadth. The lake covers an area of about 15.5 sq kms. The lake can be spotted by its turquoise colour from the distance itself. Few high-altitude birds can be seen in this region.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/kyagar-tso-leh-connectivity.html

Location

Tso Moriri, Leh, Ladakh

Tso Moriri, Leh, Ladakh

Tso Moriri is a high-altitude lake located in the Changthang Plateau (northern plains) in the Rupshu Valley in Leh District of the Union Territory of Ladakh, India. The name Tso Moriri means Mountain Lake. It is one of the three important high-altitude lakes in the Ladakh region. It is the largest of the high-altitude lakes entirely within India and entirely within Ladakh in this Trans-Himalayan biogeographic region. The site is said to represent the only breeding ground outside of China for one of the most endangered cranes, the Black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis), and the only breeding ground for Bar-headed geese in India. The lake was notified in November 2002 under the List of Ramsar Wetland sites under the Ramsar Convention.

The Lake

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/tso-moriri-leh-lake.html

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/tso-moriri-leh-connectivity.html

Location

Tso Kar, Leh, Ladakh

Tso Kar, Leh, Ladakh

Tso Kar Park is a fluctuating Salt Lake situated in the Rupshu Plateau and valley in Leh District in the southern part of the Union Territory of Ladakh, India. It is called as white or salty lake as numbers of salt dunes are deposited all over the shore of the lake. It is one of the three important high-altitude lakes in the Ladakh region and is the smallest of all three lakes. This lake is also recognised as India's 42nd Ramsar site.

The Lake

Tso Kar is a fluctuating salt lake known for its size and depth situated in the Rupshu Plateau and valley. It is located at an altitude of about 4,660 meters (15,280 feet) in the Changthang region of Ladakh. The name Tso Kar means white lake, because of the white salt efflorescence found on the margins due to the evaporation of highly saline water. It lies between the Zanskar range in the southwest and the Ladakh range in the northeast, south of the Indus river. Tso Kar Basin is the basin of a former large freshwater lake. The water spread has contracted into two principal waterbodies, Startsapuk Tso, a freshwater lake of about 300 ha to the south, and Tso Kar itself, a hypersaline lake of 2,200 ha to the north. The Tso Kar is connected by an inlet stream at its south-west end to Startsapuk Tso. Startsapuk-Tso is fed by perennial springs and snow and attains a maximum depth of 3 m in July and August, when it overflows northwards into Tso Kar.

Both the lakes together form the 9 km2 More plains pool, which is dominated by the peaks of two mountains, Thugje (6,050 m) and Gursan (6,370 m). From the geology of the More Plains, it can be concluded that the Tso Kar in historical times ranged up to this high valley. The local climate is arid, and glacial meltwater is the primary water source for the lakes. The lakes are frozen over from November to April. Until a few years ago the lake was an important source of salt, which the Changpa nomads used to export to Tibet. The nomadic settlement of Thugje is located 3 kms in the north. There is a tented camp on the west bank of the lake which provides accommodation for tourists. Groups of nomads can be seen all over the region and a considerable number of livestock including sheep, horse and yak are also seen grazing around the lake.

Flora & Fauna:

The inlets of the Tso Kar are a source of non-saline water. Pondweeds and basic nettles grow at the inlets, forming floating islands of vegetation in the spring and dying off in the winter. Sedge and large numbers of buttercups grow on the shores of Startsapuk Tso and of the tributaries of the Tso Kar, while some parts of the high basin are marked by steppe vegetation interspersed with tragacanth and pea bushes. The shore of Tso Kar is partly covered with a salt crust, which keeps vegetation away from the inflows.

Due to the salinity of the Tso Kar, most of the resident fauna is found in its tributaries and in Startsapuk Tso. The lake acts as an important stopover ground for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway and is one of the most important breeding areas in India for the black-necked crane. The prominent birds found in and around the lake are saker falcon, crested grebe, brown-headed gull, bar-headed goose, black necked crane, common tern, Tibetan grouse, ruddy shelduck and tern.

The basin of the Tso Kar and the adjoining More Plains constitute one of the most important habitats of the snow leopard, Asiatic wild dog, Tibetan wild ass (kiang), Tibetan argali, Tibetan gazelle, Tibetan wolf, red fox, Himalayan marmot. Yaks and horses are kept by nomads. Currently the lake basin has no special protection, but there are plans to include it within a national park which may be established in the highlands of south-eastern Ladakh.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/tso-kar-leh-connectivity.html

Location

Chagar Tso, Leh, Ladakh

Chagar Tso, Leh, Ladakh

Chagar Tso is a small freshwater lake located in the Leh District of Union Territory of Ladakh, India. It is a high-altitude lake located at an altitude of about 14,270 feet. This lake is situated on the way to Pangong Tso. This lake is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.

The Lake

The lake is situated at an altitude of about 14,270 feet (4,323 meters) above sea level. The lake is surrounded by lofty mountains and valleys. The glaciers surrounding the lake is the main source of water. The lake and its surroundings are home to unique flora and fauna endemic to the Himalayan region, including migratory bird species and rare wildlife. The best time to visit Chagar Tso is from May to September when the weather is mild and pleasant.

Due to its high altitude, Chagar Tso experiences lower oxygen levels compared to the sea level. The thin air at such elevations poses a risk of altitude-related illnesses, including headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Therefore, it is crucial for visitors to acclimatize properly before ascending to this beautiful Lake. Boating, Bird watching, and Photography are the popular activities carried out in this lake.

Connectivity

The lake is located at about 12 Kms from Pangong Tso, 24 Kms from Tangtse, 103 Kms from Karu, 135 Kms from Leh and 138 Kms from Leh Airport. The lake is situated on Leh to Pangong Tso route. To reach this lake, visitors need to start their journey from Leh and head Karu towards Changla Pass. One must follow the Leh Pangong road to reach this lake. The journey might take around 4 hours. There is no special permit required to visit this lake.

Location

Pangong Tso, Leh, Ladakh

Pangong Tso, Leh, Ladakh

Pangong Tso is a high-altitude lake located in Leh District in the Union Territory of Ladakh, India. It is an endorheic lake spanning eastern Ladakh and Western Tibet at an elevation of 4,225 m (13,862 ft). The lake is also called as Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo. It is a long, narrow, brackish lake spanning the Indian / Chinese border, in a valley in the upper drainage basin of the Indus River, at the east end of the Karakoram Range.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/pangong-tso-leh-history.html

The Lake

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/pangong-tso-leh-lake.html

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/pangong-tso-leh-connectivity.html

Location