Tso Morari Lake
The Mountain Lake with Distinctive Features.
Located to the Southeast of Leh in Eastern Ladakh, Tso Moriri Lake is surrounded by 6000 m peaks in the middle of the elevated valley of Rupshu. The lake, in the Changthang area, is known as Tsomoriri Wetland Conservation Reserve. Tso Moriri, literally meaning "the mountain lake", got its name from the Changthang plateau that provides water to the Lake. Tso Moriri (28 km X 8 km) is a High Altitude Lake (HAL) with an altitude of about 4595 m (15,080 ft). Tso Moriri boasts of being the largest of the High Altitude Lakes in the Trans-himalayan biogeographic region, entirely within India.
The Lake is accessible only in the summer season. The wildlife of the nearby region is an attractive feature. One can spot Wild Ass, Marmots, Black-necked Geese, Redfox and the highly endangered Snow Leopard near the Lake in a preserved area. Karzok monastery is another attraction in the nearby area. This 350-year old monastery is located at an altitude of 4572 metres.
The valley is used as a grazing ground and cultivation field by the Changpa herders. There are a few barley fields that are counted among the highest cultivation grounds in the world. The lake and the nearby region is, undoubtedly, filled with natural beauty.
