Madhuri Lake (Sangetsar Tso) - A Visitor's Guide to Tawang's Famous Lake

Tawang, Arunachal PradeshLAKE

A stunning high-altitude lake near Tawang, famous for the dead tree trunks that rise from its waters. Originally Sangetsar Tso, it's a unique natural wonder.

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LAKE

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1-2 hours

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Madhuri Lake, originally named Sangetsar Tso, is a high-altitude lake located about 30 kilometers from Tawang town. It was formed by a flash flood following an earthquake in 1950, which submerged a patch of forest. The most striking feature of the lake is the sight of dead tree trunks emerging from its clear, still waters, creating an unusual and memorable landscape. The lake is set against a backdrop of rugged, barren mountains which are often covered in snow, even during the early summer months.

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Location & Address

En route to Bum La Pass, via Y-Junction, Sangetsar, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India

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Best Time to Visit

The best period to visit is from May to June and again from September to October. During these months, the weather is clearer, and the roads are more likely to be open. The lake is accessible, and the surrounding mountains offer beautiful views. Avoid the monsoon months of July and August due to the risk of landslides. The lake is generally inaccessible from November to April due to heavy snowfall, which blocks the approach roads.
Peak Crowd: May-June, September-October, coinciding with the main tourist season in Arunachal Pradesh.
Moderate Crowd: July-August, as monsoon rains deter some travelers.
Low Crowd: November-April, as the area is often closed due to heavy snow.

How to Reach

Air

The nearest major airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) in Guwahati, Assam, about 500 km away. Salonibari Airport (TEZ) in Tezpur is closer (387 km), but has limited connectivity. From the airport, you need to travel by road to Tawang, which takes about 14-16 hours.

Train

The nearest major railway station is Guwahati (GHY). The closest station is Rangapara North (RPAN) in Assam, approximately 383 km from Tawang. From the station, you must hire a taxi or take a bus for the long road journey to Tawang.

Road

Tawang is connected to Guwahati and Tezpur by road. The journey from Guwahati takes around 15 hours and is usually done with an overnight halt. From Tawang town, Madhuri Lake is about 30 km away and requires hiring a local Tawang-registered SUV. The drive takes 1.5-2 hours.

Local Transport

To reach Madhuri Lake from Tawang, you must hire a local taxi. These are typically SUVs capable of handling the rough, mountainous terrain. Self-driving is not permitted for tourists on this route. Book a taxi from the local taxi stand in Tawang.

Food & Dining

Nearby restaurants near Madhuri Lake

No restaurants found nearby