10 Frozen Lakes In India You Must Visit For A Serene Retreat

A glimpse of a water body decked with ice and surrounded by snow-clad peaks.

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

A serene view of the famous Gurudongmar Lake, one of the scenic frozen lakes in India.

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

Tsongmo Lake’s surface reflects surrounding misty, peaks, creating a surreal view.

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

A serene view of the famous Roopkund Lake, one of the scenic frozen lakes in India.

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

Pangong Lake’s deep blue expanse stretches between arid and golden-brown mountains.

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

An enchanting view of the famous Tso Moriri, one of the scenic frozen lakes in India.

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

Sela Lake’s frozen surface glistens amid rocky, snow-dusted terrain with dramatic views.

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

A mesmerising view of the famous Suraj Tal, one of the scenic frozen lakes in India.

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

Chandratal Lake’s crescent-shaped shoreline encircles calm, reflective waters amid views.

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

An astonishing view of the famous Dehnasar Lake, one of the scenic frozen lakes in India.

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

View of a water body with intricate ice patterns amid snow-covered forests and mountains.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The highest frozen lake in India exists in Sikkim at 5,430 meters above sea level at Gurudongmar Lake. The lake stays frozen during the period from November until April while ranking among the world's highest bodies of water.
The winter season creates suitable conditions for ice walking on frozen lakes such as Pangong Tso and Tsomgo Lake. Local authority approval should always be obtained before attempting to walk on frozen lakes for safety purposes.
The ancient human skeletons that emerge from Roopkund Lake in Uttarakhand during ice thaw make this location known as Skeleton Lake. Experts estimate these remains to be older than 1,000 years.
Visiting frozen lakes in India is most favourable from November to March based on specific locations. The lakes of Ladakh and Sikkim freeze by November whereas the high-altitude lakes in Himachal Pradesh maintain their frozen state until April.
Roopkund Lake is the most famous frozen lake trek in India, offering stunning Himalayan views and a mystical experience. Other great treks include Chandra Taal and Suraj Tal in Himachal Pradesh.

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