Tsokhar

Situated in the Rupshu Valley at an elevation of over 14,700 ft, Tso Kar is spread over an area of 10 sq km. It is known for its size and depth, is a fluctuating salt lake situated in the Rupshu Plateau and valley in the southern part of Ladakh. It is named Tso Kar or the White Lake due to the immense amount of salts and borax that get deposited on the banks of the lake. Tsokar can be visited as an enroute to Tso Moriri or as a stopover on the Manali - Leh route. The smallest of the three high altitude alpine lakes in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, Tso Kar Lake is known for its scenic beauty and the wide variety of wildlife it supports. The Tso Kar is connected by an inlet stream at its south-west end to a small lake. The lake is very popular with bird watchers as the marshlands surrounding the lake supports an amazing array of bird life. The Tso-Lake is surrounded by the marshlands that host amazing bird life which include Brahmni ducks, bar-headed geese and the great crested grebe. But the main attraction among the bird life at Tso Kar is black-necked cranes. Surrounded with mountains, the lake is a sight to watch. The nomads that inhabit the nearby regions make a living from collecting the salt from the banks of the lake and selling it to surrounding regions. The area surrounding Tso-kar lake is rich with wildlife and birds.