Unbelievable - These 7 Indian Lakes Change Colour With Seasons!

There’s something oddly comforting about how seasons change, the rains finally quiet down, sweaters start creeping out of cupboards, and suddenly everyone’s talking about the cold again. But nobody really expects lakes to join the mood swings. Yet in India, some lakes actually switch colours with the seasons, almost like they’re reacting to the weather the same way travelers do. And that’s what makes them so fascinating: you could visit once and see calm blue water, come back a few months later and swear you’re looking at a totally different place.

Wandering through India often means stumbling upon surprising beauty, especially when chasing the many lakes that change colour with the seasons. Whether someone’s flying to the Northeast or planning to stay in western India, these shape-shifting waters feel like nature’s own mood ring, changing shades as the climate moves from summer heat to monsoon drama to winter chill.

1. Pangong Tso, Ladakh
2. Manasbal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir
3. Tsomgo Lake, Sikkim
4. Gurudongmar Lake, North Sikkim
5. Chandratal Lake, Himachal Pradesh
6. Loktak Lake, Manipur
7. Lonar Crater Lake, Maharashtra
8. Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan
Final Thoughts
FAQs – Lakes That Change Colour With Seasons
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1. Pangong Tso, Ladakh

Pangong Tso Lake
Image Credit: Horizonman/Shutterstock

Nestled high in the Himalayas at over 4,200 m, Pangong Tso is the poster child of India’s Colour-Changing Lakes. At sunrise, the lake shimmers in pale blue; by midday, it deepens to teal; and in the evening, it takes on a copper-pink hue as the mountains reflect golden sunset light. The air is crisp, oxygen thin, and the wind whispers across the salt-crusted shores. Anyone planning a trip should checks cheap flights to Leh and searches for the best hotels in Leh as tourist season can attract more crowds.

2. Manasbal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir

Quiet and serene, Manasbal Lake is tucked into the Kashmir Valley. Lotus blossoms carpet the surface in summer, giving it a rich rosy-green hue, while in autumn and winter, the water softens to muted silver-green. Fishermen glide in shikaras, their oars whispering on calm waters, and nearby gardens fill the air with floral perfume. It’s the kind of place where time slows, and this subtle shift in tone makes Manasbal one of the understated Indian lakes that change colour with seasons. Many travelers opt for cheap flights to Srinagar while browsing Kashmir tour packages for day trips around the valley.

Also Read: 7 Picturesque Lakes In India To Add To Your Bucket List

3. Tsomgo Lake, Sikkim

**Tsomgo Lake, Gangtok**
**Image Credit: Nattee Chalermtiragool/Shutterstock**

Also called Changu Lake, Tsomgo sits at a dizzying altitude of about 12,400 ft. In spring and summer, it sparkles in icy turquoise; in winter, the rim may freeze, turning parts of it steely gray or deep blue. Clouds drift so low they feel touchable, prayer flags flutter in the wind, and yak bells jingle softly. Folks usually book cheap flights to Bagdogra for easier accessibility to this moody mountain lake.

4. Gurudongmar Lake, North Sikkim

High up in the barren beauty of North Sikkim lies Gurudongmar Lake, sacred and silent. Rarely crowded, it shifts from milky white when partially frozen, to cerulean when the sun hits it just right. The thin air is bone-dry, the landscape rocky, and distant peaks seem to cradle the lake in a solemn hug. This is a truly mystical spot definitely among the lakes that change colour with seasons and reaching it often requires a long, winding ride from your base (so factor in taxi fare).

5. Chandratal Lake, Himachal Pradesh

Known as the “Moon Lake,” Chandratal (at around 4,300 m) is shaped like a crescent and changes hues dramatically: one moment it’s jade green, the next sapphire blue, sometimes even ashen gray. The sandy banks crunch underfoot, wildflowers perfume the breeze, and nights bring a blanket of stars so close it feels like sky-touching. For budget wanderers, basic campsites near the lake are gems. And for peace-seeking travelers, this is one of the most mesmerizing lakes that change color with season. Many trek groups like to include it in Himachal tour packages when planning the journey.

6. Loktak Lake, Manipur

In Manipur lies Loktak Lake, famous for its floating phumdis (floating vegetation). Depending on monsoon or dry season, the lake’s colours shift from muddy brown to glimmering blue-green. Fishermen paddle in small coracle-like boats, water lilies brush against them, and the smell of wet earth mingles with wood smoke from lakeside homes. Because of those floating islands, this lake really stands out, arguably the most unique among lakes in India that change colors.

Also Read: Ready to Turn Your Stays into Feasts? Try these 6 Best Homestays for Food Lovers

7. Lonar Crater Lake, Maharashtra

Formed by a meteorite impact roughly 52,000 years ago, the Lonar Crater Lake feels like something from another planet. In the summer, the water turns a bright green from algae and minerals; in the cooler months, it may appear milky or even pinkish. The surrounding forest smells of damp earth and wildflowers, insects buzz constantly, and the crater walls echo birdcalls. This is one of the classic lakes that change color with the season, and if you’re staying nearby, the local guesthouses make for cozy bases while you check out Maharashtra tour packages.

8. Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan

Last but definitely not least, Sambhar Lake is India’s largest salt lake and a spectacle of color. During the dry season, salt crusts reflect soft pinks and silvery grays; in the monsoon, rainwater turns them into pastel pools of peach and lavender. Flamingos often wade in shallow edges, their pink contrasting against salt flats. Samba Lake also called as the Multi-colour lake is a true desert marvel. Most travelers grab cheap flights to Jaipur and settle into some of the best hotels in Jaipur to enjoy it fully.

Final Thoughts

Chasing lakes that change colour with the seasons is like discovering nature’s little secrets. Each lake has its own personality, moody, playful, sacred, or serene and seeing their shifting shades makes every visit feel unique. These wonders aren’t just in India; similar lakes exist all across the world. And if you want to explore them, online visa services for 180+ countries are literally at your fingertips. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to discover this natural magic, the colors are waiting!

FAQs – Lakes That Change Colour With Seasons

Which lake changes color?
Plenty of lakes change color! Famous examples include India’s Lonar Lake (which can turn pink) and Pangong Tso (which shifts through blues and greens), or even the Kelimutu Lakes in Indonesia.

What is the lake of changing colors?
There isn’t just one, many lakes like Pangong Tso or Kelimutu are known for this. They shift shades seasonally because of things like tiny microbes, mineral changes, or even just the sun’s angle on the water.

Why does Pangong Lake change color?
Pangong Lake’s colors (blues, greens, even some reds) mostly shift because of how the sunlight hits the water, different mineral levels, and just how clear the high-altitude water is.

Can lakes be seasonal?
Yep, absolutely. Seasonal changes in temperature, rainfall, and snowmelt mean that the amount of water, types of algae growing, and mineral concentrations all shift, changing the lake’s look.

What is an example of a seasonal lake?
Laguna Colorada in Bolivia is a great example; it’s bright red during the dry season because of the algae and sediments that get concentrated as the water evaporates.

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Unbelievable – These 7 Indian Lakes Change Colour With Seasons!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Pangong Tso, Ladakh

2. Manasbal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir

Also Read: 7 Picturesque Lakes In India To Add To Your Bucket List

3. Tsomgo Lake, Sikkim

4. Gurudongmar Lake, North Sikkim

5. Chandratal Lake, Himachal Pradesh

6. Loktak Lake, Manipur

Also Read: Ready to Turn Your Stays into Feasts? Try these 6 Best Homestays for Food Lovers

7. Lonar Crater Lake, Maharashtra

8. Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan

Final Thoughts

FAQs – Lakes That Change Colour With Seasons

Stay Curious Read More:

Akbar Travels Services

Best Flight Deals

Domestic Flights

International Flights

Best Hotel Deals

Apply Visa Online

International Tour Packages

Domestic Tour Packages

Packages by Themes

2 Comments

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