High-altitude lakes the local communities consider sacred — Manasarovar (Tibet, restricted), Pangong, Tso Moriri, Suraj Tal, Hemkund. Each list-entry above 4,000 m has its own pilgrimage protocol; respect them at the shore.
Acclimatise in Leh or Manali before driving up. Most lakes ice over by November and stay locked through April. Pilgrimage seasons (Hemkund in summer, Manimahesh in August) bring crowds; outside those windows the lakes belong to themselves.
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