Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, North East
5 Mesmerizing Lakes in the North-East
The kingdom of the North-east is tucked away from the rest of the country within the folds of its mountains and valleys. Along the isolated paths, dotting the terrain lie hundreds of lakes. The crystal clear waters sit resplendent amidst surreal settings. From atop, they look like Neverland and close up, they take you to a place of quiet peace. It is impossible to take on the circuit of North-East India without stopping at some lakes.
The 5 lakes in the North-East you must visit –
1. P.T. TSO
Penga Teng Tso or P.T. Tso as it is locally called, is a high altitude lake about 45 minutes from Tawang. Situated at an altitude of 12,000 ft, its bright blue waters create a striking contrast with the white snowy mountains surrounding it. The lake is of spiritual significance to the locals and forms a beautiful backdrop for photos. One can walk around or even ski here. However, there are no amenities around it, and so one must go prepared.
2. MADHURI LAKE
The Sangetsar Tso is one of the most popular lakes in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Named after the Bollywood actress Madhuri who shot for the film Koyla here, it is located on the way from Tawang to Bum La. The lake was formed as the result of an earthquake. The road to the lake starts from Zemithang and is an adventure in itself, with 52 hairpin bends. The lake is quite unique for it has dead trees right in the middle of it! Right beside the lake is a cafe run by the Indian Army and one can have delicious chhole bhature or maggi with a cup of tea while marvelling at the beauty of this natural lake.
3. SELA LAKE
Sela Pass connects the town of Tawang with the rest of Arunachal Pradesh. It is here that the high altitude Sela Lake lies. Located at 13,700 ft, the Sela Pass has around a 100 lakes, but the most famous is the Sela Lake itself. The lake remains mostly frozen because of its altitude and forms a breathtaking sight. The area around the lake is great for a hike and even for bird watching in the summer. There are stalls selling food and tea, and also rum, surprisingly.
4. BADA PANI LAKE
Umiam or Bada Pani Lake is a lake in Shillong, Meghalaya. Contrary to the lakes of Arunachal Pradesh, with most of them nestled between snowy peaks, the Bada Pani Lake is surrounded by lush greenery that imparts it an unmatched sense of tranquility. What makes it even more surreal is the boathouse perched atop it, where one can stay for a night or two with a Naga-Khasi family. The lake was created by damming the Umiam River and now sits magnificent as a tourist attraction.
5. NAGULA LAKE
Picturesque and delightful, the Nagula Lake close to Tawang is one of the many high altitude lakes in the region. The rolling green mountains that form a crescent around it make it seem like an Alpine destination. Sitting here is a deeply peaceful experience with Brahminy ducks bobbing around. The reflection of the mountains ripples through the lake and it is a perfect spot for a picnic. However, the lake remains frozen for most of the year.
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