Tsomoriri and around sightseeing
Tsomoriri Lake in Changthang region of Ladakh, situated at an altitude of 15075 ft, is one of the most beautiful, calm and sacred (for ladakhis) high altitude lakes in India. It is higher than the Pangong Lake / Pangong Tso. In fact, it is the largest high altitude lake in India that is entirely in Indian territory. This beautiful blue pallet lake is about 7 km wide at its broadest point and about 19 km long.
Being part of the wetland reserve under Ramsar site, it is actually known as Tsomoriri Wetland Conservation Reserve. You cannot pitch any camps near Tsomoriri or construct any stay option near the banks of the lake. It is the highest Ramsar site in the world. The place is full of flora and fauna is found in the region.
Since it is near to the Line of Actual Control, you need to get Inner Line Permit to visit Tsomoriri Lake, both as an Indian as well as a foreigner.
The beautiful multi-shades of blues offered by this lake along with a picturesque landscape around gives this place an extremely romantic and breathtaking feel. However, in reality, the place is harsh and difficult to survive especially in winters.
There is only a couple of cemented accommodation available around the lake in the form of home stays and the facilities like electricity, medical aid, hot running water, western toilets etc. are luxury in itself. The lack of oxygen makes survival difficult if your body is not properly acclimatized to its high altitude and hence, one need to plan his / her journey extremely carefully so as to avoid acute mountain sickness. So, even though you might feel tempted to include Tsomoriri in your trip to Leh Ladakh, it is important to plan your trip to this high altitude place properly.
Suggested route to explore Tsomoriri Lake
The routes to explore Tsomoriri have many options. The options depends on your nos of days in hand. But the most important thing to visit Ladakh is acclimatized yourself sufficiently for a smooth a memorable vacation. After spent at least two night in Leh, one night in Nubra Valley & one night in Pangong Lake you can move further to explore the beautiful Tsomoriri Lake of Changthang Region. Few options are as follows –
Leh to Tsomoriri
Tsomoriri is well connected from Leh, distance around 240 km, from Leh. This is the most general route to reach Tsomoriri from Leh. You can reach in around 8 hrs (depending upon the number of breaks you take in between the journey). The route along with the distance between the subsequent places is as follows:
Leh to Karu (36 km) to Upshi (13 km) to Kumdok (19 km) to Kere (53 km) to Chumathang (34 km) to Mahe (22 km) to Sumdo (10 km) to Korzok / Tsomoriri (53 km)
You can cover Thicksey, Hemis, and Shey monasteries while going through this route if you haven’t covered them earlier while going to Pangong Tso. This route provides the best road conditions for all other routes. So, if you are one of those who prefer relaxing vacation and do not want to rush through places. Will suggest making a minimum of two days trip to Tsomoriri lake via this route from Leh. Assuming your body has been acclimatized properly by staying for a couple of nights in Leh and spending a night or two in Nubra Valley & Pangong Lake as well before attempting to sleep near Tsomoriri or Korzok.
If you are short on time, then you can also exit towards Manali from Manali-Leh Highway from Tsomoriri via this route only, but you need to ensure that you have enough fuel to cover around 550 km without any fuel pump if you come back to Leh.
Hanley to Tsomoriri
After visiting Hanley, you can move further to Tsomoriri from where either you can go to Ladakh, or you can exit towards Manali via Manali Leh Highway. There exist two routes to reach Tsomoriri from Hanley-
- One via Mahe bridge. This is most common and easily get the permit for this route. The distance around 164 km and takes time around 7 hrs. The route along with the distance between the subsequent places is as follows:
Hanley to Loma (51 km) to Nyoma (22 km) to Mahe (25 km) to Sumdo (10 km) to Kyagar Tso (28 km) to Tsomoriri (Karzog) (28 km)
- The other route goes via Chumur whose permits are hard to come because of it’s go through more closer to the Line of Actual Control. As well as you have to consider, have to passes through one of the remotest passes of the Ladakh region and takes about 8 hrs. (depending upon several interim breaks you take). The distance around 145 km. To considering the above difficultly suggest to leave early from Hanley so that you reach Tsomoriri in time. It is a remote region, and you will hardly / may not find any tourist or vehicle going past by you. Hence, in case required, help will not be easy to find. You will be very fortunate if you can access this route and feel nothing gets better and adventurous on your Ladakh journey than this. The route along with the distance between the subsequent places is as follows:
Hanle to Salsal La (62 km) to Charchagan La (23 km) to Tsomoriri / Korzok (60 km)
You need to make sure you carry sufficient fuel for this route because you will be covering very remote place without any other petrol pump. And if you want to exit Ladakh through Manali Leh Highway from Tsomoriri then also carry sufficient fuel as the next petrol pump will be available at Tandi after Leh / Karu. Otherwise, you have to come back to Karu or Upshi and refill for move towards Manali-Leh Highway.
Pangong Lake to Tsomoriri
In most general cases, you will always be doing it from Pangong Tso to Tsomoriri because –
- Firstly, you can exit Ladakh from Tsomoriri towards Manali Leh Highway after visiting Pangong Tso without coming back to Leh.
- Secondly, Tsomoriri is higher in altitude than Pangong Tso. So, as per the acclimatization schedule, you must stay at Pangong Tso before spending a night at Tsomoriri. However, for informational purposes.
Generally two different routes available for visit Tsomoriri from Pangong. Routes are as follows –
Pangong Tso Lake to Tsomoriri Lake via Changthang (Merak-Chusul-Nyoma)
Pangong to Tsomoriri distance by road using via Changthang route is 238 km. You can go to Tsomoriri from Pangong Tso directly via the remote and ever beautiful Changthang region. The drive between Pangong Tso and Tsomoriri is one of the most beautiful drives in the whole Ladakh region. Since 2019, foreigners are now allowed to go beyond Man – Merak Villages as DC office is issuing the permits to them for this route.
Hence, they need to follow the indirect, slightly longer route to Tsomoriri from Pangong Tso. A special permit to cross Chusul is required from Leh DC office in order to travel on this route.
The route along with the distance between the subsequent places is as follows:
Spangmik to Man (9 km) to Merak (12 km) to Kakstet (4 km) to Chusul (24 km) to Tsaka La (33 km) to Tsaka Village (20 km) to Loma (23 km) to Nyoma (22 km) to Mahe (25 km) to Sumdo (10 km) to Kyagar Tso (28 km) to Tsomoriri (Karzog) (28 km)
You need to make sure you carry fuel for around 600 km because you will be covering Leh – Pangong Tso – Nyoma – Loma – Tsomoriri – Leh without any other petrol pump. And if you want to exit Ladakh through Manali – Leh Highway from Tsomoriri then also carry fuel for around 700 km as the next petrol pump will be available at Tandi.
Otherwise, you need to come back to Karu or Upshi, refill and move further towards Manali-Leh Highway.
Pangong Lake to Tsomoriri Lake via Chumathang
Another route / indirect route that goes from Chumathang is the longer one, where you need go back from Pangong Tso to Leh up to Karu and from there you can take a left towards Upshi – Chumathang – Korzok to reach Tsomoriri, distance around 342 km.
This route can be followed by foreign tourists who are not allowed the permit for Changthang region if they do not want to go back to Leh. But, it will suggested, one must go back to Leh from Pangong Tso, refresh themselves and start towards Tsomoriri next morning instead of the very long day via Chumathang with relaxing mood.
You need to mention both Tsomoriri and Pangong Tso on your permit form in order to undertake this route. The route along with the distance between the subsequent places is as follows:
Spangmik to Lukung (16 km) to Tangtse (34 km) to Durbuk (9 km) to Chang La (32 km) to Sakti (34 km) to Karu (10 km) to Upshi (13 km) to Kumdok (19 km) to Kere (53 km) to Chumathang (34 km) to Mahe (22 km) to Sumdo (10 km) to Kyagar Tso (28 km) to Tsomoriri (Karzog) (28 km)
Of course, you can plan the route from Tsomoriri to Pangong lake, but in general, it does not fit in the overall plan because of acclimatization and losing the opportunity of exiting via Tsomoriri to Sarchu to Manali route.
Do not forget to refill petrol / diesel at Karu or Upshi petrol pump and if you want to exit Ladakh through Manali-Leh Highway then also carry sufficient fuel for about 550 km as the next petrol pump will be available at Tandi.
Otherwise, you need to come back to Karu or Upshi, refill and move further towards Manali-Leh Highway.
Things to remember for explore Tsomoriri Lake
Phone Signals around Tsomoriri
There will no mobile connectivity at Tsomoriri. You may get network en-route few areas. The only postpaid connections work in Leh Ladakh and BSNL have the widest coverage followed by Airtel and Reliance Jio.
Petrol Pumps around Tsomoriri Lake
Do not forget to refill petrol / diesel at Leh petrol pump. Nearest Petrol Pump is at Karu (around 207 km from Tsomoriri and comes on the way from Leh via Chumathang / Mahe Bridge). Many time the Karu Pump has been out of fuel. So better to full your tank at Leh and move further with few options of more fuel with your hand.
If you have plan to exit to Manali then you have to consider more fuel requirement in your journey. So plan accordingly and move further.
You will not find any ATMs near Tsomoriri and nearby area, it is always better to carry sufficient cash from Leh (the only place where you find ATM in Ladakh) itself.
Medical Facilities around Tsomoriri Lake
You can get basic first aid including Oxygen doses at some of the army settlements in case of emergency but it will be better to carry your own oxygen cylinder from Leh especially in case you are visiting early in your itinerary.
There is a medical health center at Karzog village but do not expect any major assistance.
Preferred Vehicles for exploring Tsomoriri Lake
The higher ground clearance vehicles are preferable, and 4×4 ones would be helpful, especially between Pangong Tso and Tsomoriri via Changthang route. However, for the general route from Chumathang, quite a few people do it in hatchbacks and sedans as well which depends upon your skills to drive and road conditions at the time of travel.
In general Leh to Tso Moriri road condition via Upshi – Chumathang route is good enough for any type of the car including hatches and sedan.
Hatchback and Sedan is not suggested vehicle for visiting this lonely planet or Himalayan Destination.
There are certain areas in Ladakh which are considered inner line (areas close to the border with either China or Pakistan), and Tsomoriri is one them. Therefore, Indians will need to obtain an inner line permit for visiting this place.
Foreigners are allowed to visit Tsomoriri from Pangong Lake directly via Man – Merak Villages as permits as permit issued to them since 2019. Foreigners can visit Tsomoriri from Leh directly with collect / issued protected area permit.
Night Stay around Tsomoriri Lake
There are no accommodation facility is available in the bank of the lake. As it is, Ramsar Site Wetland reserve also sanctuary for migratory birds, restricted to pitch the camp or construct any building in this area. There are few accommodations options like basic home stay / guest house are available in the Karzog village. You can pitch your tent or rent tent in this village only, nearest location to the lake.
Best Time to travel to explore Tsomoriri Lake
In general, the best time to travel to Tsomoriri / Changthnag Region is in the summer months when the Ladakh has in full flow of tourist.
somoriri Lake in Changthang region of Ladakh, situated at an altitude of 15075 ft, is one of the most beautiful, calm and sacred (for ladakhis) high altitude lakes in India. It is higher than the Pangong Lake / Pangong Tso. In fact, it is the largest high altitude lake in India that is entirely in Indian territory. This beautiful blue pallet lake is about 7 km wide at its broadest point and about 19 km long.
Being part of the wetland reserve under Ramsar site, it is actually known as Tsomoriri Wetland Conservation Reserve. You cannot pitch any camps near Tsomoriri or construct any stay option near the banks of the lake. It is the highest Ramsar site in the world. The place is full of flora and fauna is found in the region.
Since it is near to the Line of Actual Control, you need to get Inner Line Permit to visit Tsomoriri Lake, both as an Indian as well as a foreigner.
The beautiful multi-shades of blues offered by this lake along with a picturesque landscape around gives this place an extremely romantic and breathtaking feel. However, in reality, the place is harsh and difficult to survive especially in winters.
There is only a couple of cemented accommodation available around the lake in the form of home stays and the facilities like electricity, medical aid, hot running water, western toilets etc. are luxury in itself. The lack of oxygen makes survival difficult if your body is not properly acclimatized to its high altitude and hence, one need to plan his / her journey extremely carefully so as to avoid acute mountain sickness. So, even though you might feel tempted to include Tsomoriri in your trip to Leh Ladakh, it is important to plan your trip to this high altitude place properly.
Suggested route to explore Tsomoriri Lake
The routes to explore Tsomoriri have many options. The options depends on your nos of days in hand. But the most important thing to visit Ladakh is acclimatized yourself sufficiently for a smooth a memorable vacation. After spent at least two night in Leh, one night in Nubra Valley & one night in Pangong Lake you can move further to explore the beautiful Tsomoriri Lake of Changthang Region. Few options are as follows –
Leh to Tsomoriri
Tsomoriri is well connected from Leh, distance around 240 km, from Leh. This is the most general route to reach Tsomoriri from Leh. You can reach in around 8 hrs (depending upon the number of breaks you take in between the journey). The route along with the distance between the subsequent places is as follows:
Leh to Karu (36 km) to Upshi (13 km) to Kumdok (19 km) to Kere (53 km) to Chumathang (34 km) to Mahe (22 km) to Sumdo (10 km) to Korzok / Tsomoriri (53 km)
You can cover Thicksey, Hemis, and Shey monasteries while going through this route if you haven’t covered them earlier while going to Pangong Tso. This route provides the best road conditions for all other routes. So, if you are one of those who prefer relaxing vacation and do not want to rush through places. Will suggest making a minimum of two days trip to Tsomoriri lake via this route from Leh. Assuming your body has been acclimatized properly by staying for a couple of nights in Leh and spending a night or two in Nubra Valley & Pangong Lake as well before attempting to sleep near Tsomoriri or Korzok.
If you are short on time, then you can also exit towards Manali from Manali-Leh Highway from Tsomoriri via this route only, but you need to ensure that you have enough fuel to cover around 550 km without any fuel pump if you come back to Leh.
Hanley to Tsomoriri
After visiting Hanley, you can move further to Tsomoriri from where either you can go to Ladakh, or you can exit towards Manali via Manali Leh Highway. There exist two routes to reach Tsomoriri from Hanley-
- One via Mahe bridge. This is most common and easily get the permit for this route. The distance around 164 km and takes time around 7 hrs. The route along with the distance between the subsequent places is as follows:
Hanley to Loma (51 km) to Nyoma (22 km) to Mahe (25 km) to Sumdo (10 km) to Kyagar Tso (28 km) to Tsomoriri (Karzog) (28 km)
- The other route goes via Chumur whose permits are hard to come because of it’s go through more closer to the Line of Actual Control. As well as you have to consider, have to passes through one of the remotest passes of the Ladakh region and takes about 8 hrs. (depending upon several interim breaks you take). The distance around 145 km. To considering the above difficultly suggest to leave early from Hanley so that you reach Tsomoriri in time. It is a remote region, and you will hardly / may not find any tourist or vehicle going past by you. Hence, in case required, help will not be easy to find. You will be very fortunate if you can access this route and feel nothing gets better and adventurous on your Ladakh journey than this. The route along with the distance between the subsequent places is as follows:
Hanle to Salsal La (62 km) to Charchagan La (23 km) to Tsomoriri / Korzok (60 km)
You need to make sure you carry sufficient fuel for this route because you will be covering very remote place without any other petrol pump. And if you want to exit Ladakh through Manali Leh Highway from Tsomoriri then also carry sufficient fuel as the next petrol pump will be available at Tandi after Leh / Karu. Otherwise, you have to come back to Karu or Upshi and refill for move towards Manali-Leh Highway.
Pangong Lake to Tsomoriri
In most general cases, you will always be doing it from Pangong Tso to Tsomoriri because –
- Firstly, you can exit Ladakh from Tsomoriri towards Manali Leh Highway after visiting Pangong Tso without coming back to Leh.
- Secondly, Tsomoriri is higher in altitude than Pangong Tso. So, as per the acclimatization schedule, you must stay at Pangong Tso before spending a night at Tsomoriri. However, for informational purposes.
Generally two different routes available for visit Tsomoriri from Pangong. Routes are as follows –
Pangong Tso Lake to Tsomoriri Lake via Changthang (Merak-Chusul-Nyoma)
Pangong to Tsomoriri distance by road using via Changthang route is 238 km. You can go to Tsomoriri from Pangong Tso directly via the remote and ever beautiful Changthang region. The drive between Pangong Tso and Tsomoriri is one of the most beautiful drives in the whole Ladakh region. Since 2019, foreigners are now allowed to go beyond Man – Merak Villages as DC office is issuing the permits to them for this route.
Hence, they need to follow the indirect, slightly longer route to Tsomoriri from Pangong Tso. A special permit to cross Chusul is required from Leh DC office in order to travel on this route.
The route along with the distance between the subsequent places is as follows:
Spangmik to Man (9 km) to Merak (12 km) to Kakstet (4 km) to Chusul (24 km) to Tsaka La (33 km) to Tsaka Village (20 km) to Loma (23 km) to Nyoma (22 km) to Mahe (25 km) to Sumdo (10 km) to Kyagar Tso (28 km) to Tsomoriri (Karzog) (28 km)
You need to make sure you carry fuel for around 600 km because you will be covering Leh – Pangong Tso – Nyoma – Loma – Tsomoriri – Leh without any other petrol pump. And if you want to exit Ladakh through Manali – Leh Highway from Tsomoriri then also carry fuel for around 700 km as the next petrol pump will be available at Tandi.
Otherwise, you need to come back to Karu or Upshi, refill and move further towards Manali-Leh Highway.
Pangong Lake to Tsomoriri Lake via Chumathang
Another route / indirect route that goes from Chumathang is the longer one, where you need go back from Pangong Tso to Leh up to Karu and from there you can take a left towards Upshi – Chumathang – Korzok to reach Tsomoriri, distance around 342 km.
This route can be followed by foreign tourists who are not allowed the permit for Changthang region if they do not want to go back to Leh. But, it will suggested, one must go back to Leh from Pangong Tso, refresh themselves and start towards Tsomoriri next morning instead of the very long day via Chumathang with relaxing mood.
You need to mention both Tsomoriri and Pangong Tso on your permit form in order to undertake this route. The route along with the distance between the subsequent places is as follows:
Spangmik to Lukung (16 km) to Tangtse (34 km) to Durbuk (9 km) to Chang La (32 km) to Sakti (34 km) to Karu (10 km) to Upshi (13 km) to Kumdok (19 km) to Kere (53 km) to Chumathang (34 km) to Mahe (22 km) to Sumdo (10 km) to Kyagar Tso (28 km) to Tsomoriri (Karzog) (28 km)
Of course, you can plan the route from Tsomoriri to Pangong lake, but in general, it does not fit in the overall plan because of acclimatization and losing the opportunity of exiting via Tsomoriri to Sarchu to Manali route.
Do not forget to refill petrol / diesel at Karu or Upshi petrol pump and if you want to exit Ladakh through Manali-Leh Highway then also carry sufficient fuel for about 550 km as the next petrol pump will be available at Tandi.
Otherwise, you need to come back to Karu or Upshi, refill and move further towards Manali-Leh Highway.
Things to remember for explore Tsomoriri Lake
Phone Signals around Tsomoriri
There will no mobile connectivity at Tsomoriri. You may get network en-route few areas. The only postpaid connections work in Leh Ladakh and BSNL have the widest coverage followed by Airtel and Reliance Jio.
Petrol Pumps around Tsomoriri Lake
Do not forget to refill petrol / diesel at Leh petrol pump. Nearest Petrol Pump is at Karu (around 207 km from Tsomoriri and comes on the way from Leh via Chumathang / Mahe Bridge). Many time the Karu Pump has been out of fuel. So better to full your tank at Leh and move further with few options of more fuel with your hand.
If you have plan to exit to Manali then you have to consider more fuel requirement in your journey. So plan accordingly and move further.
You will not find any ATMs near Tsomoriri and nearby area, it is always better to carry sufficient cash from Leh (the only place where you find ATM in Ladakh) itself.
Medical Facilities around Tsomoriri Lake
You can get basic first aid including Oxygen doses at some of the army settlements in case of emergency but it will be better to carry your own oxygen cylinder from Leh especially in case you are visiting early in your itinerary.
There is a medical health center at Karzog village but do not expect any major assistance.
Preferred Vehicles for exploring Tsomoriri Lake
The higher ground clearance vehicles are preferable, and 4×4 ones would be helpful, especially between Pangong Tso and Tsomoriri via Changthang route. However, for the general route from Chumathang, quite a few people do it in hatchbacks and sedans as well which depends upon your skills to drive and road conditions at the time of travel.
In general Leh to Tso Moriri road condition via Upshi – Chumathang route is good enough for any type of the car including hatches and sedan.
Hatchback and Sedan is not suggested vehicle for visiting this lonely planet or Himalayan Destination.
There are certain areas in Ladakh which are considered inner line (areas close to the border with either China or Pakistan), and Tsomoriri is one them. Therefore, Indians will need to obtain an inner line permit for visiting this place.
Foreigners are allowed to visit Tsomoriri from Pangong Lake directly via Man – Merak Villages as permits as permit issued to them since 2019. Foreigners can visit Tsomoriri from Leh directly with collect / issued protected area permit.
Night Stay around Tsomoriri Lake
There are no accommodation facility is available in the bank of the lake. As it is, Ramsar Site Wetland reserve also sanctuary for migratory birds, restricted to pitch the camp or construct any building in this area. There are few accommodations options like basic home stay / guest house are available in the Karzog village. You can pitch your tent or rent tent in this village only, nearest location to the lake.
Best Time to travel to explore Tsomoriri Lake
In general, the best time to travel to Tsomoriri / Changthnag Region is in the summer months when the Ladakh has in full flow of tourist.
- January to March, Tsomoriri Lake remains mostly frozen, extremely cold conditions with no options to stay around the lake. Apart from some home stays at Korzok is the next best bet to stay nearby this lake. In that time those option may not as convenient option for you.
- April, Tsomoriri Lake it starts to melt and starts transforming into the beautiful palette of multi shades of blue colors. Still accommodation option may not suitable for tourist.
- May to Mid September, Tsomoriri Lake is a very pleasant season to visit Tsomoriri and a lot of tourists visit this place now. Hence, it is the best time to visit. But compare to Pangong you will found less crowd here.
- Mid September and early October, Tsomoriri Lake the tourists start to reside completely as cold starts to set in again and you start a bit uncomfortable here but it is still manageable. Option for nightstay is less than the June to August season. This is one of the best time to visit Tsomoriri and see the full glory of beautiful shades of blue color in the lake. The colors are purely magical at this time of the year and with less number of tourist
- Mid October to December, Tsomoriri Lake, all the accommodation packs up and the only nearest place you can stay is either in some home stay with basic facilities to fight the harsh cold temperature at Tsomoriri. You can also find some home stays in Nyoma village and a guest house in Chumathang. Both Nyoma and Chumathang are much warmer than Tsomoriri lake in winter months.
Nyoma has few guest houses having slightly better facilities to fight the cold and provide comfort in winter months than the ones in Korzok. Similarly, Chumathang has Hot Spring Guest House and due to the presence of hot springs, Chumathang itself is quite warm and lower in altitude.
If the sun is shining and you do not mind the hard cold winters, then you can make the day trip to Tsomoriri from Chumathang or Nyoma to see magical shades of blue color at this lake. But it is fully depends upon the weather and road condition. However, do not forget to check the weather conditions before leaving from Leh.
