Third highest lake in India and 21st highest in the world, the Suraj Tal is a divine water body surrounded by barbaric bare mountains and soothing valleys. It is a common belief that anyone who takes a dip in the pristine emerald waters of the lake is cleaned off their sins.
Whether you want to visit the Suraj Tal for spiritual reasons or to simply revel in the unsurpassed natural charm – you won’t regret it. An absolute haven for avid trekkers, the lake offers an asylum to refresh and recharge during the hectic Manali-Leh trek. Adrenaline junkie motorcyclists and mountain bikers will find this place a wonderful stopover on their journey.
Location: Lahul Valley, Keylong.
Timings: No timing restrictions.
Suraj Tal, also known as Surya Taal, is a divine lake surrounded by breathtaking valleys and splendid mountains. It lies beneath the Bara-lacha-la pass in Lahaul Spiti valley and is known to originate from Bhaga tributary of Chandrabhaga river. This magnificent lake has been entitled as the 21st highest lakes across the world and third highest lake in India. It is also revered as the lake of Sun God, and it is believed that you can cleanse yourself from all the sins by taking a dip in this sacred lake. During winters, the beauty of this lake completely enhances as the mountains surrounding it get covered by layers of snow, and it seems not less than a heavenly abode. Include Suraj Tal in your package for Spiti Valley to experience the awe-inspiring beauty and spiritual significance of this sacred lake.
The regions surrounding it are mostly uninhabited as the climatic conditions prevailing here are akin to those in the Polar region. This lake is not only a scenic paradise for nature lovers and a blissful treat for the divine souls, but it is also a hotspot for trekking and motorcycling enthusiasts. The most prominent reason why this lake has gained immense popularity is that this lake comes en-route of the Manali-Leh path, which is extremely renowned for bike trips and trekking.
It also encompasses Baralacha-La-Pass on the way that is the commencement spot for various thrilling treks. The motorcyclists and adventure lovers often stop at Suraj Tal to give a break to their journey, and they set camps over here for a pleasant stay. This sacred and stunningly beautiful lake is also a dream for every photographer as the scenic beauty prevailing over here seems to be something straight out of a storybook.
Suraj Tal doesn’t have a train, bus or flight connectivity but it is well connected with road, and you can easily reach here by hiring a taxi or cab from Keylong.
By road: Suraj Tal is located at around 65 kilometre from Keylong. Keylong district is easily accessible through road from National Highway NH 21, also renowned as Leh-Manali highway. This is the most prominent road link for the inhabitants of Lahaul Spiti. The road that leads to Suraj Tal is only 3 km away from Bara-lacha la pass. This scenic route extending from Rohtang Pass to the district of Leh is totally inaccessible during winters.
The best time to visit Suraj Tal is between April to mid-May when the snow starts melting, and the weather of this place becomes extremely pleasant. You can also visit this place during mid-May to mid-July when the summer is in its full swing and hordes of tourists visit this place to enjoy its ethereal beauty.
During Winters: You should avoid visiting Suraj Tal during winters as the roads through which you can enter Suraj Tal are also blocked during winters due to the inhospitable environment. Also, the temperature falls beyond -2 degrees Celsius and the entire water body gets covered with snow.
During Monsoon: You should also avoid visiting Suraj Tal between July to September as this place experiences incessant torrential rainfall during monsoon coupled with dangerous landslides. Most of the roads that allow you to enter this place are also blocked during monsoon owing to the chances of calamities.