Yarab Tso Lake is a small high-altitude lake in the Nubra valley near Sumur, known as the hidden lake and reached by a walk of about twenty minutes. It is out of sight from the road, which is where the name comes from. Local people hold it sacred, so bathing, washing and swimming are not permitted.
Duke Kashmir Travels, registered with the J&K Department of Tourism as JKTA00003978 since 2011, includes the quieter Nubra stops for guests who want more than the dunes. Ladakh packages start near ₹6,350 per person, twin sharing.
By Duke Kashmir Travels Team · Reviewed by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, Founder · Published · Updated
Key takeaways
- A short walk of about twenty minutes from the road near Sumur.
- Called the hidden lake because it cannot be seen until you are on it.
- Held sacred locally — no bathing, washing or swimming.
- Clear, still water in a bare rock setting.
- Quiet compared with Hunder and Diskit.
- Best walked in the morning, before the valley wind picks up.
What is the walk like?
Twenty minutes or so uphill from the road, on a rough path with loose stones. Short, but felt at Nubra's altitude.
Take water and go steadily. The lake appears suddenly at the top of the rise, which is the whole effect and the reason for the name.
What are the rules at the lake?
It is treated as sacred by local communities: no bathing, no washing, no swimming, and no litter.
Keep noise down and stay on the shore path. These are not tourist regulations but a local observance, and visitors are expected to respect them.
Where does it fit an itinerary?
On the Sumur and Panamik side of Nubra, the second day of most valley trips.
Pair it with Samstanling monastery and the hot springs. Inner Line permits cover the whole valley and are arranged before you travel.
Booking this with us
Duke Kashmir Travels works out of Nowhatta Chowk in Srinagar, registered as JKTA00003978 since 2011, IATO allied member since 2016 and a TAAK member. See About Us for the rest.
Share your travel dates and group size and we will price the trip around this stop. Phone +91 9018 44 0000, write to info@dukekashmirtravels.com, or open the contact page.
About the founder
Founder Rayies Ahmad Zargar opened Duke Kashmir Travels in Srinagar in 2011, sits in TAAK, co-founded the JK Tourism Council, and signs off the guides on this site. Find him on LinkedIn.