The series so far…

Over the last few articles of the series, I shared some of the most “Alive is Awesome” kind of adventure bathing experiences I had gone through in my life so far. In this final article (yes, finally series ends here), I will like to share few of my aspirations to continue with such “Alive is Awesome” moments in future with top most being – a dive into the icy cold waters of these top 5 lakes of North India that captured my heart and soul ever since I visited them. As soon as I saw this video of Polar Plunge Bath in Godrej Cinthol advertisement, these lakes were the first thing that strike in my mind. Here I introduce you with them one by one and may be you would join me in these aspirations in coming trips 😉

Tso Moriri Lake, Ladakh

Tso Moriri lake in Changthang region of Ladakh is one of the most beautiful, calm and sacred (for ladakhis) high altitude lakes in India. 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 and a large number of flora and fauna is found in the region. As soon as you see it, you will feel very pure, very pristine, a sense of life seeing such beautiful colors around… A dip in its icy cold waters would certainly be something that can be cherished for a long long time 😀 …

Blue Hues of Tso Moriri Lake – Ladakh
Blue Hues of Tso Moriri Lake - Ladakh
Pangong Tso Lake, Ladakh

Pangong Tso Lake in Changthang region of Ladakh has emerged as one of the most wanted places to visit among domestic tourists in recent times especially after the Bollywood blockbuster “3 idiots”. Now, in India one can see a lot more movies and advertisements being shot around this mesmerizing lake. This slat water, beautiful ocean like lake is about 5 KM wide at its broadest point and about 134 KM long with about 60% of the length extending into Tibet. During winters the lake freezes completely, which itself is a great experience to witness if you have seen the other colours of the lake. First look and you are blown by the beauty of it. The beautiful multi shades of blue color offered by this lake along with a picturesque landscape around gives this place an extremely romantic feel as shown in Bollywood film songs. However, sitting behind the TV/LCD it looks so but in actual reality the place is extremely harsh and difficult to survive especially in winters. A dip into its cold water will surely make you remember that moment for the whole life…

Blue Hues of Pangong Tso Lake – Ladakh
Blue Hues of Pangong Tso Lake - Ladakh
Statso – Langtso Twin Lakes, Zanskar Valley

Located just next to Penzi La pass at an altitude of 14000 feet, the highest point on Kargil – Zanskar road, the reflection in these twin lakes Stat Tso and Lang Tso will surely blow you off your feet. The vistas surrounded by snow cladded mountains, just touch away from you make you go crazy and what you do to get off that craziness – jump into the lakes to get the real feel of it. Frankly speaking I could not dared to do so owing to super cold conditions when I was the this autumn but may be one day I will surely wanna try the same 😀 …

Magical Reflections of Statso Lake, Zanskar Valley
Magical Reflections of Statso Lake, Zanskar Valley
Chandratal Lake, Himachal Pradesh

At an altitude of 4300 Meters approx. Chandratal Lake in Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh is a deep blue water lake having a a circumference of 2.5 KMs.  Many people also call it Moon Lake and it is believed to be the source of the Chandra River. Though people used to trek up to this lake from Batal but you can get as close as 2.5 KMs from this lake in your car and then trek from the parking site. As soon as you get it’s first look, you will be mesmerized by the colors and reflections on offer. I really missed to see it by half a KM due to inclement weather but I really wish when I am there next time, I surely reach it and may be have a dip into it 😀 …

Near Chandratal Lake (This is not Chandratal)…
Near Chandratal Lake (This is not Chandratal)
Surajtal Lake, Himachal Pradesh

Situated right on one of the most adventurous road of the world, Manali – Leh Highway at an altitude of 4890 Mtrs, just next to Baralacha La Pass is the third highest lake in India being 21st in the world. The brown, black, white, blue around combined with its aqua color is more than enough to make you feel heavenly, make you feel alive. Again, one of the lakes sure to have a wild bathing experience, something I really aspire to do one day to feel that difference 🙂 …

Beauty of Suraj Tal Lake
Surajtal Lake, Himachal Pradesh
Conclusion

Past month had been really exciting with this amazing “Alive is Awesome” series. Again, really would like to thank Godrej Cinthol for throwing out such lovely mantra of “Alive is Awesome” and getting me on board with this blogging campaign which allowed me to share views plus feelings about concept of my Traveling and how Travel had completely changed me within past few years, why it is such an important thing in life for me today, how it made me really feel “Alive is Awesome”. I never could have realized that very small things such as “Bathing” while traveling with adventure were so much responsible for making some of the finest memories which I cherish every now and then in my life, laugh about them. Again, my sincere thanks to my Traveling Passion which never leaves me the person I was before whenever I return to my family from my Travel trips…

I really hope you guys enjoyed the series and now I will go back to my typical articles and start the Zanskar – Suru Valley Travel Tale very soon :)…

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I am Dheeraj Sharma - a traveler, techie, and Himalayan lover. Since 2009, I have been helping thousands of travelers every year plan memorable & budget-friendly trips to the Himalayas - Smartly, Safely, and responsibly.

23 Comments

  1. Comments section gets closed in 90 days. To ask your travel questions, you can follow my YouTube Channel for a faster reply or for a much slower reply follow me on Instagram. :)

  2. Ayush Chauhan on

    A heartfelt thank you for the information on Chandratal lake(the first option though). Going solo there this 15th *nervousandexcited* as it would be my first solo trek.
    What all essentials should i carry?

  3. Hi Dheeraj,

    I am planning suraj tal and Chandra Tal on bike in June last week. I am planning to start from Manali on 24th June and have around 10 days. My itienary is:

    24: Reach Manali rent bike and overnight at Solang.
    25: Solang to Rohtang and overnight at Gramphu
    26: Gramphu to ChanraTaal and camping at lake
    27: ChandraTaal to Kaza
    28: Kaza
    29: Kaza to Keylong
    30: Keylong to Baralacha la Suraj Tal and Keylong overnight
    1: Keylong to Manali
    2: Manali to Delhi

    We are 2 pax and planning to go on bike. Can you please provide me with the following:
    1. Is the itienary feasible ? If not I have one spare day for any road blocks etc
    2. Road COnditions
    3. We will be taking our own camping equipments so does one require to camp at Chandra Tal?
    4. Availability of Petrol Pump?
    5. Average Temperature
    6. Any other suggestions

    Thanks,
    Viraj

    • Sorry for the error but i wanted to ask in 3 is:
      3. Does one require to have permits to camp at Chandra Tal lake ?

      • Sorry, you do not need permits to visit BUT camping at Chandratal Lake is not allowed as it comes under Wetland Reserve of Ramsar site. You cannot pitch the camp near the lake. The camps are pitched about 1.5 KMs from the lake and those who pitch further the warning board are not ethical by any means.

    • Viraj, I have replied to your query in DwD Community at the thread: Chandra Taal and Suraj Taal

      Please continue the discussion at that thread 🙂

  4. Fizz Genuine on

    The lakes look so beautiful… The one close to my house looks just the opposite… I wish!!!! 🙂

  5. Akshay Mohla on

    They all are really beautiful lakes. I have visited Chandertal Lake, it’s really a heaven.
    Can you replace the picture of chandertal lake in your article with the one of the real lake. ?

    Thank you

    • Hi Akshay,

      I could make all the way to Chandratal on my adventure owing to bad weather and wet feet, so do not have the picture for the same. This year, I will visit it again and will update the same 🙂

      Regards
      Dheeraj Sharma

      • Akshay Mohla on

        Oh ! Good Luck for your next trip . I visited the lake in July 2012, seeing the pictures make me miss the place again and again.

        Regards
        Akshay Mohla

        • Akshay Mohla on

          I read about the misadventure you had during the Chandertal Trek. It must be hell of a experience.
          At What time of the year you attempted that trek ?

        • Yeah, it was quite a misadventure 🙂 … We did it in first week of June in 2009. Hell of an experience but “An Experience” 😉

  6. manjulika pramod on

    Lovely account.. beautiful places in India.. 🙂
    Haven’t visited any of them..

    • Thanks alot Manjulika, as you have not, do try and visit them. They can all be done in one long 20 days trip 😉 … Some are one of the most beautiful places of the world 🙂

      Regards
      Dheeraj Sharma

  7. Lovely post. Have been to Pangong Tso and want to visit the others too…

    • Thanks alot Avik. Yeah, the other are equally beautiful and charming in their own sense, especially the Tso Moriri.

      Regards
      Dheeraj Sharma

  8. swapnil k on

    Fantastic write up sir 🙂
    I haven’t explored tsomoriri from karzok to charchangan la. Lake bank must be beautiful over there???

    • Thanks alot Swapnil. That stretch is amazing and awesome too. We also could not do it since it was closed in April this year. May go again next year to explore it.

      Regards
      Dheeraj Sharma