Tso Moriri
| Tso Moriri | |
|---|---|
View of the Tso Moriri Lake in Leh district (Ladakh) | |
| Coordinates | 32°54′N 78°18′E / 32.900°N 78.300°E |
| Primary inflows | Snow Melt in summer |
| Catchment area | 2,298 km2 (887 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | India |
| Designation | |
| Official name | Tsomoriri |
| Designated | 19 August 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1213 |
| Max. length | 26 km (16 mi) |
| Max. width | 5 km (3.1 mi) |
| Surface area | 13,500 ha (33,000 acres) |
| Max. depth | 105 m (344 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 4,522 m (14,836 ft) |
| Settlements | Korzok |
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Tso Moriri or Lake Moriri 4,522 m (14,836 ft), (Tibetan: ལྷ་མོའི་བླ་མཚོ, Wylie: lha mo bla mtsho) or "Mountain Lake", is a pristine high-altitude lake and a Ramsar Wetland Site in the remote Changthang Plateau (literally: northern plains) in Leh district of the union territory of Ladakh in India. As the largest high-altitude lake entirely within India and Ladakh's Trans-Himalayan region, it spans 26 km north-south and 3-5 km wide. The lake is fed by three primary glacial streams - Karzok Phu (west), Gyama Phu (north), and Phirse Phu (southwest) - which form extensive marshes at their deltas. Though now an endorheic lake due to its blocked southern outlet, Tso Moriri maintains slightly brackish yet palatable waters. Its oligotrophic (nutrient-poor), alkaline ecosystem supports unique biodiversity. The area gained protection as the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve, though accessibility remains limited mostly to summer months. Year-round settlements exist only at Karzok village (northwest shore) and military outposts along the eastern banks, enduring the extreme high-altitude climate.
The nearest airport is 219 km northwest at Leh City, capital of Ladakh, the nearest rail access will be at Miroo station on the under-construction Bhanupli-Leh line. Road access to Tso Moriri is available from multiple directions: from the north via Sumdo along the (Miroo-Puga-Sumdo-Mahe Road connecting to Sumdo-Karzok Road; from the south through the under-construction Kiato-Karzok Road (125 km) via the high-altitude Takling La Tunnel (5575 m) from Spiti Valley; and from the northeast/east via the Hanle-Ryul-Tegazhung-Chumur Road network.