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Top 10 Fascinating Facts about the Tso Moriri Lake

The Tso Moriri Lake which is also known as the Mountain Lake is a famous lake located in Changthang Plateau in Ladakh, India. This lake is at an altitude of 14,836 feet which is the largest one among all the lakes in India. Therefore this feature makes it popular among the locals.

The lake is very secluded and thus makes it one of the most beautiful and calm lakes in India. This article will look at ten fascinating facts about the Tso Moriri Lake.

1. It has the largest altitude

Tso Moriri Lake is famed for being the largest high altitude lake in India. It features an elevation of 14, 856 feet. Therefore, this makes the water in the lake very cold. The lake does not have an outlet which in turn makes the water brackish though one cannot easily know when tasting it. Furthermore, the lake gets its water from snowmelt and springs that are adjacent to the mountain and this makes it a unique source of water as any lake usually has defined and large rivers supplying water to it.

2. It is part of the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve

The lake is part of the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve which is a critical way of protecting the ecosystem and ensuring that the animal’s habitat is not destroyed.  Therefore, this means that no one is allowed to shoot wildlife at this attraction site.  Furthermore, there are education awareness programs on both national and international levels rolled out to ensure that locals and tourists understand the importance of conserving the fragile lake ecosystem.

3. A permit to visit the lake

The lake is located near the Line of Actual Control which means that for one to visit the lake, they have to acquire an Inner Line Permit. The permit is a travel document that is issued by the Indian authorities so that one can visit the restricted areas. This is done at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Leh and it is the only place that gives out the permits.

Additionally, the permit is valid for three weeks for Indians and one week for foreigners. Therefore,  one should get the permit when they have already set time aside for the trip so that they can use the time allocated to explore the beautiful lake.

4. Birdwatching in the lake

The lake has diverse bird species that would make the experience memorable for visitors and photographers. While en route to the lake, the tourists can encounter birds like chukars and horned larks. Additionally, the lake hosts the migrating birds that use the apace around as a breeding space and thus give tourists a chance to see the various species of birds. Birdwatching can also be a good bonding opportunity for families and couples who visit the lake as they will have some quiet time where they can talk about important things in their relationship.

5. Tso Moriri Lake viewpoint

Tso Moriri features a viewpoint that gives tourists a stunning view of the blue lake. This allows the tourist to capture the full landscape as it is at a high point. Also, the barren mountains that are found close to the lake make for a breath-taking backdrop and thus make it ideal for pictures. Coupled with the lush plant life the lake and the mountains will ensure that one gets a good picture to commemorate their trip to this lake.

6. Camping on the banks of the lake

Tso Moriri is very famous for camping and thus attracts a lot of camping enthusiasts to the location. The campsites feature a serene environment and views of the areas surrounding the lake and thus give the tourists a wholesome experience. Many campers like to sit at the fireplace at night and discuss what they had seen throughout the day while visiting the lake.

Additionally, the great sunsets at the campsites provide great pictures. The campers can also get a chance to encounter the animals that are usually found in the areas surrounding the lake like the blue sheep.

7. The lake features a rich animal population

Being part of the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve means that there are a lot of animals that have made the banks of the lake their home. Therefore, one is bound to encounter different species of animals during their visit to the lake. Additionally, the ecosystem around the lake is majorly undisturbed and thus ensures that animals that are endangered thrive in this area. One of the animals one can encounter is the Marmots which is one of the cutest animals and seems to like pictures.

8. Hiking around the lake

The tourists can trek around the shores of the lake and explore the beautiful lake. It is one of the famous activities that tourists engage in when they visit the lake. Tourists can trek from Rumtse to the lake and stay at one of the campsites found there. This makes for an intriguing hiking experience as they will get good views and interact with the Changpa nomads at the camping grounds and learn more about the Tibetan culture and the Tso Moriri Lake

9. Flights and taxis can be used to access the lake

Tourists travelling to the lake have the option of either using a flight or a taxi to reach the attraction site. However, chartering a plane is usually expensive and therefore, most people use the road to access the lake. The road is good and one gets a chance to take in the beautiful scenery before arriving at Tso Moriri Lake.

10. World Wildlife Fund

The World Wildlife Fund for Nature, India is working towards the conservation of the Tso Moriri Lake. This project has been going on for the past thirty years. The fund aims to ensure that sustainable tourism has been established within the region and eco-tourism is supported.