Tso Kar Lake is the smallest of Ladakh's three high-altitude lakes and is found around 50 kilometres from Tso Moriri. It is surrounded by towering mountains, which are home to the elusive snow leopard, and is sited at a height of 15,280 feet. Visitors are in awe of this lake's splendour, also known as "White Lake" because of the white salt deposits in the water that line its shore. The area around the lake is rich in fauna and vegetation and serves as a prime location for birdwatchers, particularly during the migration season when many species, including the black-necked crane, come here to lay their eggs. The caretakers of the lake and its surroundings are the nomadic communities of Thugje and Gursan.