Leh to Tso Moriri — Korzok High Altitude Desert Crossing via Puga Valley Hot Springs
4,500m. No guardrails. One sacred lake.
Tso Moriri sits at 4,522 metres in the Rupshu Plateau, a near-circular high-altitude lake ringed by 6,000m peaks that most tourists never reach because the road in is genuinely punishing. From Leh, the route heads south through Upshi on the Manali-Leh Highway, then breaks east at Chumathang — where sulphurous hot springs bubble up from the Puga Valley floor — before climbing onto open plateau. The road degrades badly past Chumathang; loose rock, river crossings at Sumdo, and high-angle desert tracks test your lines and your altitude tolerance simultaneously. Korzok village, home to a 17th-century monastery perched above the lake’s northern shore, is the end point and the only fuel option before you turn around.
This is a genuine high-altitude overland run — altitude sickness is a real risk and acclimatisation in Leh beforehand is non-negotiable. A minimum of 48 hours in Leh before attempting this route. You need a sturdy 4WD with high clearance; the river crossing near Sumdo has caught stock-spec vehicles cold. Inner Line Permits are mandatory for Tso Moriri and must be obtained in Leh before departure. Best window is July through September when passes are open and crossings are passable; outside that window, you’re gambling with your vehicle and your fingers. Fuel up completely in Leh — there is nothing reliable between Upshi and Korzok. What you earn at the end is a dawn on a blue lake at 4,500m with wild kiang grazing the shore and nomadic Changpa herders crossing the ridge above you.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 149 mi / 240 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15495 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD, fully prepared for altitude and water crossings |
| Nearest town | Leh, Ladakh |
| Land manager | Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council — Tourism and Protected Area Permit Office |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | LAHDC Official Site Ladakh Tourism — Tso Moriri |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Will a stock Mahindra Thar or Bolero handle this route, or does it need to be built out?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Thar or Bolero can physically do this route, but you need to be running proper all-terrain tires, carry a full-size spare, and have a functioning diff lock — the river crossings and loose rock sections near Puga Valley will punish anything marginal. A lifted or expedition-prepped rig is far less stressful at these elevations.
What's the actual weather window and when does snow shut this route down?
July through September is the only reliable window. Passes can get snow as early as late September and the route is effectively impassable from October through June. Even mid-July you may hit lingering snowpack on the higher sections, so earlier in the season means more risk.
What permits do you actually need and where do you get them?
You need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter the Tso Moriri protected area — foreign nationals get this through the Deputy Commissioner's office in Leh or registered travel agents. Indian nationals still need an eco-sensitive zone entry permit for the lake area itself. Get these sorted in Leh before you leave; there are checkpoints on the route and they will turn you around.
What's the hardest section and what are you actually dealing with?
The stretch through Puga Valley and across the Polokongka La area is where things get serious — you're at or above 4,800m, the track deteriorates into loose shale and unmarked fords, and altitude affects both your engine and your judgment. Water crossings here can run thigh-deep in peak melt season and the bottom is unpredictable. Take them slow and walk them first.
Is there any fuel between Leh and Korzok, and how much range do you need?
There is no fuel available between Leh and Korzok — 240km of nothing. Fill completely in Leh and carry sufficient jerry cans to cover at least 300km total given the low-efficiency crawling you'll do through altitude and technical sections. Korzok village has very basic supplies but no fuel depot.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.