Stony shores

Located within India's Khangchendzonga National Park along the strenuous Goecha La trek, Samiti Lake sits at 13,800 feet above sea level, offering a rest stop with reflective views of the surrounding heights. Khangchendzonga (more often spelled Kangchenjunga) is the third-highest mountain in the world after Mount Everest and K2, and many of the summits that form its impressive massif are visible from Samiti's shores. It may be tough to turn one's gaze downward on this peak-packed route, but it's worth it: Rhododendrons bloom throughout the park in the spring, and wildlife like red pandas and Himalayan black bears roam the forests.