Beyond Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri: Unveiling Ladakh's Hidden Gems

LADAKH : THE LAND OF BEAUTIFUL LAKES & MEADOWS

Beyond Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri: Unveiling Ladakh's Hidden Gems

Ladakh, the "Land of High Passes", is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, high altitude mountain passes, ancient monasteries, and of course, its stunning high-altitude lakes. Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri rightly hold the spotlight, capturing the imagination of travelers with their vastness and mesmerizing beauty. But Ladakh's charm extends far beyond these famous attractions. Scattered across, lie a multitude of smaller lakes and beautiful meadows, some of which are off the map, each with its own unique character and serene ambiance.

PANGONG TSO

TSO MORIRI

This write up tries to focus on the world of Ladakh's lesser-known lakes and meadows, waiting to be explored by intrepid travelers seeking an escape from the crowds. For those who are open to stopping by at off beet beautiful locations to experience and enjoy the beautiful nature, these lakes and the meadows are for them. These lakes are set against beautiful and mystic landscapes. Their remoteness further adds to their serenity.  Surrounded by towering mountains, these water bodies offer the visitors beautiful and memorable experience. Accessing these lakes involves travelling through some of the scenic but lesser-travelled high passes of Ladakh.

The Enchanting Trio: Mirpal Tso, Yaya Tso, and Kyagar Tso in the Changthang Platue:

• Mirpal Tso: Located at an altitude of 16,122 ft in the Changthang platue, Mirpal Tso is one of the highest freshwater lakes with a captivating sight. It comes between two picturesque but lesser-travelled high passes, the Thato La and the Kaksang La on the way from Chusul to Mahe. Unlike its neighbor's turquoise waters, Mirpal boasts a palette of emerald greens water with sandy shore reflecting the surrounding mountains which makes it unique from others.  

MIRPAL TSO FROM KAKSANG LA

• Yaya Tso: A true hidden gem at an altitude of 15,814 ft, the Yaya Tso, a heart shaped volcanic lake lies off the beaten path, accessible only by rugged tracks near Yaya La. It comes between Chusul and Mahe after crossing the Kaksang La. This pearlescent lake, surrounded by barren mountains, offers a glimpse into Ladakh's raw, untouched beauty. Yaya Tso is a nesting habitat for migratory birds and has the distinction of being one of the highest breeding sites of the black-necked crane. This lake has been declared as the First Biodiversity Heritage of Ladakh under the Biological Diversity Act.

BAR HEADED DUCK & KIANGS AT YAYA TSO

• Kyagar Tso : On way from Mahe Bridge to Tso Moriri and after crossing the Namshang La/Kyagar La comes a stunningly beautiful lake at 15,436 ft altitude, the Kyagar Tso, totally overshadowed by the reputation of its famous cousin the Tso Moriri. Kyagar Tso is a saline lake contrasting its freshwater neighbor. The smaller size of Kyagar Tso makes it a perfect spot for allowing you to truly soak in the tranquility of the Himalayas. The temporary tent settlement of nomadic shepherds near the lake makes the surroundings more attractive. And more than that, spending some time with those people and understanding their lifestyle is definitely a satisfying experience. Like us, you may be lucky to spot the elusive ‘Ribong’ (Tibetan hare/Wooly hare) around the lake. ‘Ribong’ (Tibetan hare/Wooly hare) are generally uncommon species and though IUCN has assessed its conservation status as “least concern” due to availability in Nepal and China, in India it is considered “endangered”.

NOMAD TENTS AND RIBONG AT KYAGAR TSO

Some off-the-tourist map spectacular meadows and river bed: worth spending time there

• Meadow near Katlay: On our journey from Hanley to Umling La, after crossing over the scenic Photi La pass and descending towards Katlay, we travelled alongside a beautiful glacial stream flowing through vast green meadows. Hundreds of yaks of various colors are seen grazing all over the meadows. You will also come across nomadic shepherds grazing their livestock escorted by their beautiful herding dogs.

YAKS & SHEEP GRAZING ON THE GRASSLAND

• Meadow near Muglib: While travelling from Tangtse (where we fueled our vehicle at World’s highest filling station by HP) and just before reaching Muglib on way to Pangong Tso, we came across a beautiful and scenic meadow. Against the backdrop of barren mountain slop you will see a vast spread of green tussocks / hummocks creating a beautiful landscape with herds of Kiangs, the Tibetan Wild Ass, and Wild Horses grazing there. Kiang is the largest of all the African and Asiatic wild asses.  It also gives the opportunity to spot the elusive Himalayan Marmots, at times giving beautiful poses for your pictures. Himalayan Marmots are a species of rodents of Himalayan platue that hibernate for more than six months. Interestingly enough there is a name board in that area which highlight this area as ‘Shooting Point’ as few scene of Saharukh Khan starrer hindi movie ‘Jab tak hai jaan’ was shoot there, but there is no mention about viewing of the beautiful creature the Himalayan Marmots.

THE TUSSOCKS/HUMMOCKS, KIANGS, WILD HORSES AND MARMOTS

• Drive through Shoyk River bed: There are two routes from Nubra to Pangong Tso, two of the most popular destinations of Ladakh. One goes via Wari La-Sakti-Chang La and the other through Agham-Shyok village. The Agham-Shyok village road passes alongside the picturesque valley of Shyok River…and at many places runs through the riverbed. Journey in this route, particularly through the riverbed, is challenging and tricky, bumpy, dusty and prone to both landslide and also sudden flooding. Hence it is advisable to be bit extra cautious and check about the road status at Agham village before embarking upon this journey. However, despite of all these nuances, this Agham-Shyok road passing through riverbed many a times is worth travelling due to its scenic beauty. And taking breaks and spending some time on the waterfront in the river and throwing stones to the crystal clear water brings out the child in you.

JOURNEY THROUGH SHYOK RIVER BED

Why Choose the Lesser-Known Lakes and meadows?

While Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri offer undeniable beauty, venturing beyond the well-trodden tourist trail comes with its own set of rewards:

• Tranquility: Escape the crowds and experience the serenity of Ladakh in its purest form.

• Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure: Embark on a journey of discovery, unearthing hidden gems untouched by mass tourism.

• Unique Wildlife: Spot elusive fauna like the Kiang, Marmots, Ribongs and a variety of birdlife that thrives in these high-altitude ecosystems.

Planning Your Trip to Ladakh's Hidden Lakes

The lakes are best visited between June and September when the harsh winter climate relents. Since most of these destinations lack permanent accommodation, homestays in nearby villages or camping under the starlit sky are the most authentic experiences. Be sure to plan your trip with a local guide who can navigate the challenging terrain and ensure a safe and enriching experience.

So, the next time you plan a trip to Ladakh, consider venturing beyond the famous and explore the magic of Mirpal Tso, Yaya Tso, Kyagar Tso, and the many other hidden lakes waiting to be discovered. You might just be surprised by the serenity and beauty that awaits you. You should also make out some time at non-traditional stops like the beautiful meadows, which definitely will make your journey memorable.

For more on our Ladakh tour, please check Youtube posts at PlacesDishes hosted by my co-traveler.