Tso Moriri

Tso Moriri


Route: Leh – Chumathang – Tsomoriri
Distance: (240 Kms) Distance between Leh & Tso Moriri is approximately 240 km one way & takes about 6 to 7 hours to traverse. We will need minimum two days. This distance can be traversed in two routes hence covering maximum places & seeing different sceneries to & fro Leh to Tso Moriri.
Topography


As per a classification of the Himalayan Lakes done on the basis of their origin, there are four groups and Tsomoriri falls under the third group of “Remnant Lakes". The classification as reported states:

(i) Glacial lakes which are formed in and around glaciers;
(ii) Structural lakes, formed by folds or faults due to movements in earth’s crust (e.g. Nainital lake in Uttaranchal),
(iii) Remnant lakes which were originally structural but represent the remnants of vast lakes (e.g., Tsomoriri, Tso Kar, Pangong Tso in Ladakh, and Dal Lake in Kashmir),
(iv) Natural dammed lakes i.e., temporary water bodies formed along the river courses due to deposition of rocks or debris e.g. Gohna Tal in Garhwal, Uttaranchal.



Tsomoriri or Lake Moriri (official name: Tsomoriri Wetland Conservation Reserve), in the Changthang (literal meaning, northern plains) area, is a High Altitude Lake with an altitude of 4,595 m (15,080 ft) in Ladakh, India and is the largest of the High Altitude Lakes in the Trans-himalayan biogeographic region, entirely within India. It is hemmed between Ladakh in the North and Tibet in the east and Zanskar in the west; the Changthang plateau is the geographical setting with snow peaks that provides the source of water for the Lake. Accessibility to the lake is limited to summer season only. Tsokar means salty lake in local language and salt was extracted from this lake in earlier times, till the end of 1959, for consumption by the local people.
The lake is surrounded by the elevated valley of Rupshu with hills rising to 6,000 m (20,000 ft). “Changpas", the nomadic migratory shepherds (pastoral community) of yak, sheep, goat, and horses of Tibetan origin and who are engaged in trade and work on caravans in Ladakh region, are the main inhabitants of the area. Changpa herders use the land of this valley as grazing ground and for cultivation.

Day 1:
After breakfast drive for 7hours to Leh via Sumdo and Chuma – Thang (3965M). Enroute stop at Mahe Bridge from where the road crosses to the south bank of the river by a bridge; it then follows the unmetalled road through Sumdo village up to join Puga stream. The drive from Sumdo to Mahe follows a narrow mountain gorge through green bushes. Packed lunch en-route. Chuma-Thang is known for its famous medicated hot water springs where people from various parts of Ladakh come for relieving their pains. Enroute drive past beautiful villages of Nurnis, Kery and Kadgam. The Jeep drive through this part of the Indus valley is quite flat without much uphill or downhill drive, a wide open village.

On the way visit Sumdo village and another 55 kms drive will take us to Tsomoriri. The Lake is breeding grounds for numerous species of birds. Chief among them are the bar headed goose, found in great numbers, crested grebe, the Brahmany duck (ruddy sheldrake) and the brown headed gull. The Lake is 28 km long and 8 km wide across its widest point. Overnight in tents, dhaba or local hotels.

Korzok or Karzok is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery belonging to the Drukpa Lineage and it is an ancient village on the western bank of Tsomoriri lake in Leh District, Ladakh, India. Korzok is situated at 15,000 feet (4,572 m). The monastery houses a Shakyamuni Buddha and other statues and is home to about 35 monks.


Hot Springs

Day 2:
sumdo - tso kar - thukse - debring - tanglangla - upshi - hemis - Leh (234 km)

Taglang La, with an elevation of 17,582 feet (5,359 m), is a high mountain pass in Ladakh, India.It is the second highest motorable mountain pass in India after Khardung La and is reached via 21 Gata loops. Locally called Baayis Kainchi (22 Scissors), the road to reach the pass is very thrilling. It is located along the Leh-Manali Highway. This is a very scenic route. We will come across the pink river & pink/magenta & green hills near Rumste. The kaleidoscope of color will spellbind us. After these landscapes, the sandscapes of mountains of Leh will seem like time travel onto a different planet.

Be careful with your digital cameras, ipods, Digi watches etc while approaching this pass. All electronic items supposedly go dead here. Our Cannon 40 D died on us here during the last trip. There are similar 'ipod death zones' all over Ladhak. Beware.

Best Regards,
Roopa Sreedhar
9886162404