Top 8 Highest Lakes in the World You Might Not Know

Damavand Lake is among the renowned lakes of beautiful Iran. Did you know? The name of this lake originates from its location - the Damavand mountain. It is believed to be a magical lake carrying many oral traditions from ancient times to the present. Not only that, Damavand Lake is frequently mentioned in newspapers and poetry, such as in the poetry of Mohammad Tagi Bahar - who often uses eloquent words to describe the power of nature. Moreover, Damavand Lake is often frozen as it is located at an altitude of 5,650m above sea level. Mount Damavand first erupted in the Pleistocene epoch nearly 1.78 million years ago. After a few known eruptions around 600,000 and 280,000 years ago, its last eruption was approximately 5,300 years ago in the Holocene.

Mount Damavand can be considered a potentially active volcano, as fumaroles near the summit emit sulfur, believed to be active since July 6, 2007. Hot mineral springs are mainly located on the slopes and at the base of the volcano, providing evidence of the volcano's relative heat near the Earth's surface. Although no recorded historical eruptions, hot springs at the base and on both sides of the slope, and fumaroles and solfatara near the summit, indicate that hot or cooling magma remains present beneath the volcano. The majestic and enchanting beauty of Damavand gives it a special role in Persian mythology. It is also the highest volcano in Asia and is home to brown bears, leopards, wild goats, and red sheep.

Located in the northern part of the Kangchengyao range, Gurudongmar Lake stands at the second-highest altitude in India. Named after the revered Hindu teacher Padmasambhava or Guru Dongmar, the lake attracts pilgrims annually who immerse themselves in its crystal-clear waters believed to have healing properties. During the harsh winter months, the lake freezes except for a small portion. Sikkimese and local Buddhist followers believe in the sanctity and prayers of Guru Padmasambhava touching the lake. Situated at an elevation of 5425 m, Gurudongmar Lake sparkles like a crystal, reflecting the majestic rocky peaks surrounding it. It is acclaimed as one of the highest lakes globally, named after the spiritual leader Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Dongmar.

The lake is considered a holy pilgrimage site with religious significance in both Buddhism and Sikhism. Surprisingly, even in the severe winter, a part of the lake never freezes. Gurudongmar Lake is renowned for its religious importance, scenic beauty, and intriguing explorations. Visiting Gurudongmar Lake is often combined with exploring the Chopta Valley. The area also features another spiritual tourist spot, attracting peace lovers, known as Sarva Dharma Sthala, a famous temple dedicated to all religions. Approximately 9 km away lies Tso Lhamu Lake, known as the source of the Teesta River. Here, tourists can discover the enchanting and vast beauty of nature. Other places to visit in the Gurudongmar Lake tour include the villages of Lachen and Thangu, just a 3-4 hour drive away.

Lake Titicaca, one of the world's highest navigable lakes, sits at an elevation of 3,812 m (12,507 feet) above sea level. Located atop the Altiplano in the Andes range on the border of Peru and Bolivia, at 16°S 69°W, Titicaca has an average depth of 107 m and a maximum depth of 281 m. The western part of the lake belongs to the Puno region of Peru, and the eastern part belongs to the Bolivian La Paz Department. With over 25 rivers flowing into Lake Titicaca and 41 islands, some densely inhabited, Titicaca is fed by rainwater and glacier melt from the surrounding mountain ranges adjacent to the Altiplano. It drains into the Desaguadero River, flowing south through Bolivia to Lake Poopó. This accounts for less than 5% of the water loss from the lake; the rest is attributed to strong winds and solar heat evaporation at this altitude.

At an elevation of 3,800 meters above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake globally. It is also the largest lake in South America, with a surface area of 8,372 km². Its unique location straddling the Peru (to the west) and Bolivia (to the east) border makes it easily accessible from both countries. Popular entry points from Peru include Puno, while Copacabana is a convenient choice for tourism in Bolivia. Both can be reached by bus, car, and plane. Additionally, there is a scenic train route to Puno, passing through some of Peru's most beautiful landscapes. The great thing about Lake Titicaca in South America is the profound combination of historical and cultural significance with stunning untouched landscapes.

Chile can be considered a country with many of the world's highest lakes. And Lake Licancabur is one of them. Similar to other lakes, Lake Licancabur is a tourist attraction in Chile, even though it sits at an elevation of 5,916m above sea level. This lake is located just a few meters from dormant volcanoes and was discovered by a group known as SETI. Although Lake Licancabur is relatively close to Lake Poquentica, they are entirely different. Lake Licancabur is a volcanic crater lake in Chile, situated in the Licancabur mountain in the El Loa province, Antofagasta region. It is near the populated area of San Pedro de Atacama and close to the border between Chile and Bolivia. This is considered one of the highest lakes, at an elevation of 5,900 m (19,400 ft).

The lake was discovered by mountaineers in 1953, measuring 85 meters (280 ft) in length at that time. Currently, it only loses water through evaporation and seepage. The surface area was 7,000 square meters (75,000 sq ft) in 2002, but the water level fluctuates over time. The lake water is brackish; the water temperature of 1.4–4.3 °C (34.5–39.7 °F), with a recorded temperature of 6 °C (43 °F) at the lake bottom in 2006, may be due to geothermal heat. The local climate is dry, cold, and sunny, leading to the lake environment being compared to that of Mars. Despite these conditions, the lake harbors an ecosystem consisting of bacteria, ancient bacteria, crustaceans, and even midges.

When it comes to the world's highest lakes, Lake Poquentica cannot be overlooked. This lake is situated at an elevation of 5,750m above sea level and belongs to the region of Bolivia, or more simply, it is in Chile. Additionally, this lake is also considered a famous tourist destination in this region, bringing in considerable foreign currency for Chile. For this reason, Chile is gradually improving this area. Not only that, but the cooled volcano in the lake adds an extra allure to the scenery here. Therefore, bringing your family here is a wonderful decision you just made.

You and your loved ones will have unforgettable memories, while forgetting all the difficulties in life. This is a stunning lake reigning on the border of Bolivia and Chile, at 5,750 meters above sea level, atop an extinct volcano. Poquentica was discovered by scientists from the SETI institute and is considered the 'geological wonderland.' There are still many unexplored areas here.

If you're tired of lakes in the lowlands, elevate your adventure to the grand mountain peaks to explore lakes, most of which are formed from dormant volcanic craters. These high-altitude lakes offer stunning landscapes, situated thousands of meters above sea level. When it comes to unmissable high-altitude lakes, East Rongbuk Lake in Tibet takes the spotlight, resting at an elevation of 6,100m above sea level. East Rongbuk Lake is shaped by the meltwater from glacial blocks as temperatures rise. Notably, as temperatures soar, the lake water evaporates and becomes dry; however, when temperatures return to average, the lake water naturally replenishes.

Interested to know who discovered this intriguing lake? It was none other than Graham Hoyland. He stumbled upon this lake during an adventurous exploration with a group of fellow enthusiasts. Graham Hoyland is a bestselling author, mountaineer, sailor, producer, and adventure filmmaker who has worked on all seven continents for BBC, C4, Discovery, Travel Channel, and NBC, from the South Pole to the summits of the Himalayas. He is the 15th Briton to summit Mount Everest. East Rongbuk Lake is a temporary glacial lake in the Himalayas. It forms as melting snow converges at the eastern branch of the Rongbuk Glacier and Changtse Glacier. The pool dries up at the end of the season, leaving it parched.

A lake is a body of water, freshwater or saltwater, typically enclosed in a basin (a depression or an area lower than its surroundings) surrounded by land. Lakes can form naturally through various Earthly processes or they can be artificially created by humans, for instance, in the craters of extinct volcanoes or by damming a river. Chile continues to be a prominent player in hosting some of the world's most beautiful high-altitude lakes. With Acamarachi, though it's a small lake with a diameter of 10–15 meters, its elevation is quite impressive: 5950 meters. This location has yielded numerous ancient artifacts and holds immense archaeological value, primarily for historians.

Earth is home to hundreds of thousands of lakes varying in size, type, and location. Some lakes lie at very low elevations, while others are situated in high mountain ranges. Lake Acamarachi is located in the Cerro Aguas Calientes volcanic region at an elevation of 5,950 meters above sea level. The scenery here is fascinating, resembling a giant pool for those looking to cool off on hot days. Moreover, Lake Acamarachi is a place of historical significance and has made it into the Guinness World Records due to its distinct features compared to other bodies of water.

If you're seeking an truly impressive destination for new experiences with your family or friends, Nevado Ojos Del Salado in Argentina is an excellent suggestion. Why? You'll undergo a myriad of emotions gazing at the lake's scenery and the world as a whole from an altitude of 6,390 meters above sea level. Truly remarkable, isn't it? Situated at the base of the world's highest volcano, Lake Ojos del Salado may not be vast, but it claims the title of the world's highest lake in comparison to others. Although volcanoes pose a potential threat to human life, one cannot deny the fact that this is one of the most awe-inspiring sights on the planet. The natural elements here remain not fully explored to date, with white spots in human knowledge. Nonetheless, whatever is extraordinary and somewhat perilous attracts enthusiasts, and many mountaineers dream of conquering the world's highest volcano with an elevation of 6891 meters.

This wonder of the world lies on the Chile-Argentina border and is known as Ojos del Salado, translated from Spanish meaning eyes of salt. Although the mountain is located within the territories of both countries, its highest point falls within Chile. The world's highest volcano has long been considered inactive, at least in recorded human history with no documented eruption. Scientists believe the last eruption occurred around the 7th century AD, but there is no precise confirmation of this. The volcano itself is situated in the world's hottest desert - the Atacama, and atop it is the highest lake on the planet. Polish mountaineers first conquered Ojos del Salado in 1937, discovering that in ancient times, indigenous people considered it a sacred peak.