Kupup Lake, also known as Bitan Cho or Elephant Lake, is captured amidst ice, clouds, and fog in Kupup Valley, Sikkim, India, on April 17, 2026. The high-altitude glacial lake, situated at approximately 13,066 feet near Jelep La Pass in East Sikkim, is part of the Old Silk Route loop near the India-China border and is often frozen from winter through mid-May. It is shaped like a reclining elephant, which gives it the nickname "Elephant Lake." The Himalayas, often called the “Water Tower of Asia,” supply water to rivers that support nearly 2 billion people. However, new findings show that climate warming is threatening these river systems. Kupup Lake is considered a source of the Dichu River, a feeder of the Jaldhaka River, connecting to the Teesta basin. The area is known for its serene landscape and proximity to snow-capped Himalayan mountains. Kupup is one of the highest villages in the region and was a recognized transit point during the silk trade between India and Tibet.
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