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In winter, each high-altitude lake turns into a beautiful frozen lake in India, offering amazing views and exciting activities. Located in the Himalayas, these frozen lakes in India are surrounded by tall, snow-covered mountains, creating a magical winter landscape. Whether you love nature, photography, or adventure, visiting these frozen lakes will be a memorable experience. You can go ice trekking or take stunning pictures of the reflections on the ice. These frozen lakes are a perfect mix of beauty and fun, making them a great place to visit in winter.
10 Frozen Lakes In India
The frozen lake in India shows a beautiful mix of ice, snow, and sky. Whether glowing in the morning sun or sparkling at night under the moon, these icy scenes quietly celebrate the beauty of winter.
1. Gurudongmar Lake, Sikkim
Photo: Dcqec111 / Wikimedia Commons
The 5,430-metre-high Gurudongmar Lake ranks among the world’s highest lakes while standing as one of India’s most beautiful frozen bodies of water. The sacred lake in North Sikkim stays frozen during the period from November to April. A surreal otherworldly scene emerges from the crystal-clear ice against rugged mountains. A trip to Gurudongmar features an amazing route that leads through the distant Lachen Valley and enormous areas of snow-covered ground. Both Buddhists and Sikhs view the lake as sacred and a temple honoring Guru Padmasambhava exists in the vicinity.
Location: North Sikkim
Best Time To Visit: November to April
Nearby Attractions: Lachen, Thangu Valley
2. Tsomgo Lake, Sikkim
Photo: Indrajit Das / Wikimedia Commons
The easily accessible frozen lake, Tsomgo Lake at 3,753 meters elevation operates under the name Changu Lake in India. The glacial lake receives its water from snow-covered mountains which surround it at a distance of 40 km from Gangtok. Traversing through the Nathu La Pass roads leads travellers to the lake as an exciting travel experience. The lake’s deep blue waters freeze completely during winter, thus becoming a major winter attraction in Sikkim. Buddhists and Hindus in the area view Tsomgo Lake with religious reverence while holding the belief that its waters contain medicinal qualities.
Location: East Sikkim
Best Time To Visit: December to February
Nearby Attractions: Nathula Pass, Baba Mandir
3. Roopkund Lake, Uttarakhand
Photo: Shubhamrathod15 / Wikimedia Commons
The glacial lake Roopkund Lake, which is known locally as Skeleton Lake, exists at 5,020 meters within the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The lake experiences long-term complete freezing conditions throughout most of the year with additional summer snow encircling its perimeter. Roopkund stands out because its hidden skeletons emerge from beneath the ice during seasonal lake thawing. Hundreds of human skeletons exist at this location, which scientists believe span over a thousand years. The sudden occurrence of a hailstorm during the high-altitude pass crossing is thought to have trapped these individuals according to many scientific interpretations.
Location: Chamoli District, Uttarakhand
Best Time To Visit: May to June, September to October
Nearby Attractions: Bedni Bugyal, Junargali Pass
4. Pangong Tso, Ladakh
Photo: Eatcha / Wikimedia Commons
The Indian lake Pangong Tso serves as a famous frozen water body which spans across an altitude of 4,225 meters between India and China. During the winter season, Pangong presents a surreal landscape where expansive ice extends across numerous miles under a blanket of snow-clad mountains. The destination stands out as a unique winter destination due to its severe temperatures yet delivers extraordinary sights to intrepid visitors. The thick ice layer provides safe conditions for walking and residents occasionally engage in ice hockey matches on this surface.
Location: Ladakh
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Nearby Attractions: Spangmik Village, Chang La Pass
5. Tso Moriri, Ladakh
Photo: Tanay Kibe / Wikimedia Commons
At 4,522 meters above sea level, Tso Moriri presents India with its stunning frozen lake existence in the distant Changthang region of Ladakh. During the winter peak season, the entire lake becomes frozen, which generates mesmerizing icy terrain spanning numerous miles. Tourists avoid visiting Tso Moriri because it remains relatively unvisited while Pangong Tso experiences heavy tourism. The Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve contains this site which protects rare migratory birds. The frozen lake creates the ideal destination for photographers and adventure enthusiasts due to its location between barren mountains and snow-capped peaks.
Location: Ladakh
Best Time To Visit: December to March
Nearby Attractions: Korzok Monastery, Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Sela Lake, Arunachal Pradesh
Photo: Abhishek Gaurav / Wikimedia Commons
The 4,170-meter-high Sela Lake ranks as a premier frozen lake in India and resides near Sela Pass in Arunachal Pradesh. The lake experiences total freezing conditions that last from November through February, thus creating an immaculate winter scene. The local Buddhist community holds this lake in high esteem because it stands among the scarce frozen lakes found in Northeast India. Travelers will find the journey to Sela Lake remarkable because it meanders through stunning mountain vistas under a layer of snow. Winter transforms the lake into an icy blue masterpiece which matches perfectly with the surrounding snow-covered peaks to create dreamlike photos.
Location: Arunachal Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Nearby Attractions: Sela Pass, Tawang Monastery
7. Suraj Tal, Himachal Pradesh
Photo: Timothy Gonsalves / Wikimedia Commons
At 4,883 meters above sea level, the Suraj Tal Lake exists as the third-highest water body in India. Suraj Tal exists near the Baralacha Pass within the Lahaul-Spiti region where it freezes solid throughout six months to become one of India’s most stunning frozen lakes. The glacial runoff from Suraj Tal supplies water to the Bhaga River as its main water source. The Leh-Manali Highway attracts bikers and trekkers to Suraj Tal because this location provides outstanding vistas of the snow-covered mountain peaks. The lake transforms into a completely frozen mass during winter.
Location: Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: June to September
Nearby Attractions: Baralacha Pass, Keylong
8. Chandra Taal, Himachal Pradesh
Photo: Lodhra / Wikimedia Commons
Chandra Taal, known as Moon Lake, exists at 4,300 meters elevation within the Spiti Valley. The crescent-shaped body of water receives its name from its distinctive shape while winter freezes its entire surface due to its crystal-clear nature. The lake resides among snowy mountain heights, which creates an amazing destination for winter trekking activities. Adventure seekers enjoy visiting Chandra Taal because the trek provides extraordinary sights of Kunzum Pass together with the Lahaul Valley. During winter months the lake transforms into a frozen masterpiece that mirrors both the sky and surrounding mountains above its ice crystals.
Location: Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: June to October
Nearby Attractions: Kunzum Pass, Lahaul Valley
9. Dehnasar Lake, Himachal Pradesh
Photo: Scott Osborn / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
The Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh houses Dehnasar Lake which exists as an ice-covered freshwater body throughout the winter season. Located at 4,280 meters elevation, this distant lake ranks as one of India’s most inaccessible frozen lakes, thus attracting adventure seekers interested in unique hiking trails. The journey to Dehnasar Lake follows paths through forested alpine terrain and meadows as well as rocky terrain that eventually reaches the frozen lake which stands beneath towering mountains. The winter season turns the lake into an empty ice-covered plateau as its whole surface becomes encased in thick ice.
Location: Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: June to September
Nearby Attractions: Indrahar Pass, Triund
10. Mahakali Lake, Himachal Pradesh
Photo: Dominik Kaźmierczak / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh hosts the religious high-altitude lake Mahakali Lake which stands at 4,080 meters. The hidden gem stays frozen under ice for an entire six-month period between November and April. Pilgrims and trekkers both visit Mahakali Lake, which stands beneath snow-covered mountains. Devotees make a strenuous journey to this distant holy site because the lake serves as a sanctuary for Goddess Mahakali. The lake turns into a glittering ice-field throughout winter as the Himalayan silence enhances its magical atmosphere. The spiritual value of Mahakali Lake unites with its stunning natural environment to create an exceptional travel location.
Location: Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: June to September
Nearby Attractions: Manimahesh Lake, Bharmour
People experience an unforgettable journey at the frozen lakes in India, which provide breathtaking natural scenery alongside risky exploration and sacred religious importance. Each frozen lake in India presents distinct stories to its visitors through the enigmatic Roopkund or the awe-inspiring Pangong Tso and the sacred Mahakali Lake. Plan your ultimate winter adventure with TripXL and explore India’s mesmerizing frozen lakes before the ice disappears.
Cover Photo: Christophe Jossart / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
