Nevado Ojos del Salado, Argentina So, for the highest body of water anywhere in the world, you’d expect something impressive, wouldn’t you? Well, the altitude is impressive – 6,390m above sea level. But the lake itself is another small crater lake, with a diameter of only 100m and a depth of 10m. It doesn’t even have its own name, just taking the name of the volcano it sits upon – Ojos del Salado, or “The Eyes of Salty Water” in English.

Lhagba Pool, Tibet And now for the highest of the Himalayan lakes, at an altitude of 6,358m above sea level. It is located on the slopes of Everest, around 6km north of the summit, and 3km east. Little is known about the pool, but it is said to be 180m by 50m at its widest and longest points. If you fancied a very secluded swim, this would probably be a great place to go. Just don’t count on having copious amounts of oxygen or nice warm water…

Changtse Pool, Tibet The Changtse Glacier also creates another high lake – the Changtse Pool at 6,216m above sea level. Little is known about it, but it appears on topological maps and is said to be 180m by 230m. The Changtse Peak is linked to Mount Everest and was explored by George Mallory’s ill-fated expedition in 1924 from which he did not return.

East Rongbuk Pool, Tibet Another Tibetan lake, this is a seasonal pool that appears whenever the snow melts. It is named after the East Rongbuk Glacier, which is one of the glaciers that contribute to it (the other being the Changtse Glacier). It was explored by Graham Hoyland, among others, who found the lake as an obstacle on one of his many adventures in the Himalayas. On that occasion, he was traveling with the Territorial Army, who had a practical if the unromantic way of getting past it.

Acamarachi Pool, Chile One of the neighboring volcanoes to Cerro Aguas Calientes, this has its own crater pool, although it’s pretty small at just 10-15m diameter. The height is impressive though – 5,950m – as is the 45-degree angle of the volcano itself. It is thought to be extinct, with no known lava flows in recent times, but the sheerness of the sides would detract all but the most skilled climbers.

World’s Best Places for Hot-Air Ballooning