Nepal is landlocked; its boundaries don’t touch oceans or seas. However, the country has some of the best natural beauty, including forests, villages, jungles, and lakes. In this blog, we will talk about Nepal’s top 10 biggest lakes.
For trekkers, trekking in the natural beauty of Nepal is what they look forward to. Although the country doesn’t have an ocean, what compensates is the stunning natural Himalayan beauty and the adventure of a lifetime. There are many regions in Nepal suitable for trekking or touring purposes, and one of the main attractions of these regions is the majestic lakes with crystal-clear waters.
Nepal has over 5000 lakes, which are among the major tourist attractions. The lakes are formed from the glacial rivers on the top of the Himalayas. The lakes in Nepal add to the beauty of the country. So, let’s look at some of the beautiful lakes you will see in Nepal.
Let’s learn about some of the famous lakes in Nepal.
Rara Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Nepal. It is also the deepest lake, lying at an altitude of 2990 meters above sea level. It is located inside the Rara National Park and is a major attraction for tourists who visit the National Park. The lake shares the remote and secluded districts of Mugu and Jumla. The total area of the Rara Lake is 6.11 sq mi or 1583 ha.
Due to its influence in the surrounding region and also being the major attraction of international tourists, Rara Lake has been in the protected Ramsar site ever since 2007. The lake is also the home of many floras and faunas, and the National Park surrounds it. The faunas around the lake consist of 214 species of birds and 51 species of mammals. In the case of floras, over 1074 species are found here, and among them, 16 are endemic to Nepal.
Lakes, Mountains, and Rare Animals
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Tilicho is the highest lake in Nepal, located at an elevation of 4919m from the sea level. It is 55 kilometers away from Pokhara’s majestic and crows bustling city. So when the trekkers visit Pokhara, if they want a peaceful, quiet, high-altitude trek, the Tilicho Lake Trek is the place to experience it. Despite being one of the closest treks in Pokhara and located in the Annapurna region, The Tilicho Lake trek is quite challenging.
As mentioned, you have to reach an altitude of almost 5000m, and the trails are pretty rough as you pass through rough rocky peaks, narrow roads, twists and turns around the jungles, etc. However, when you reach Tilicho Lake, you will forget all the difficulties you faced. The specialty of Tilicho Lake is that it is one of the most beautiful lakes in Nepal, with clear turquoise waters that reflect the surrounding mountains of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. In the spring, the surrounding trails, forests, and vegetation bloom with flowers and bright leaves, making the atmosphere look stunning.
Shey Phoksundo is the largest and deepest lake in Nepal. You can see and explore this lake during the Dolpo region trek as it is located in the Dolpo district. This lake covers over 400,000,000m3 of water as it spreads across 494 hectares. The lake’s altitude is 3,589 m and has 145 m depth, making it the deepest lake in Nepal. Shey Phoksundo Lake has been selected for the Ramsar site in 2007.
The area has 20 stupas in the southern region and one gompa on the eastern side of the lake. Both are used for yearly prayers and worship. Shey Phoksundo Lake is a popular trekking spot in Nepal due to its high altitude, remote location, and natural beauty. The best times to visit are from March to May and September to November when the weather is favorable. So, if you want to click on some of the most beautiful pictures of lakes, valleys, and mountains, then Shey Phoksundo Trek is for you.
Gosaikunda Lake is one of Nepal’s holiest lakes in the Rasuwa district. You can reach the famous Gosaikunda Lake while exploring the Langtang Valley Trek. The lake spreads across 13.8 hectares (34 acres) and lies at 4,380 meters. Gosaikunda Lake is a wetland with over 108 lakes in the area. Gosaikunda is a sacred lake or area for the Hindus of Nepal.
Furthermore, pilgrims or tourists from neighboring countries like India and China also visit Gosaikunda Lake to worship and bathe in the sacred lake. For Hindus, Gosaikunda is the home of Lord Shiva and Gauri. The ancient tale explains that when Lord Shiva wanted some alone time, he visited Gosaikunda Lake, took a species of King Swan, and spent a millennium in the lake. For trekkers and tourists, Gosaikunda is simply a stunning area with beautiful water, surrounding forests, and the reflection of the snowy peaks in the lake. The Gosaikunda Lake trek can be added to the Langtang Valley trek.
Begnas Lake is arguably Nepal’s most beautiful and third-largest lake. It is mixed with Rupa Lake, the region where it is the third largest lake in Nepal, spreading across 3.28 km². Despite being located in the Kaski district and Pokhara municipality, it remains far from the hustle and bustle of the city areas. Furthermore, Begnas Lake has recently become one of Nepal’s best tourist hubs. Several hotels, lodges, and teahouses are established on the premises of the lake, where trekkers can enjoy the majestic view of the lake and the mountains from their hotel. Furthermore, Begnas Lake has many floras and faunas, highlighting the region’s diversity.
$USD 1,445 per person
Reach 5,357 M/ 17,570 Ft. in 13 Days
$USD 1,716 per person
Reach 5,416m/ 17,764ft in 17 Days
Reach 4,300m/ 14,108ft in 13 Days
Gokyo Lake is located in Nepal’s Solukhumbu district at an elevation of 4690 meters. It is a popular destination known for its beauty both in spring and winter. It is also one of the major attractions of the Sagarmatha National Park, as many trekkers prefer to trek around Gokyo Lake with any Everest-related expedition. The lake system consists of 19 lakes, with six main ones being the highest freshwater lakes in the world.
The largest lake is Thonak Lake, followed by Gokyo Cho (Dudh Pokhari), Gyazumpa Cho, Tanjung Cho, and Ngojumba Cho. The cold water reflects the blue sky and snow-capped peaks, creating a stunning natural landscape. From the seepage of the Ngozampa Glacier, the lake receives the streams on the east and northern sides of the Renjo La Pass. The Gokyo Lake is among those lakes in Nepal whose existence is always in question as it lies in the fragile zone and base. Many experts believe if Ngozompa glacier outbursts, it can damage or destroy the Gokyo Lake entirely.
When mixed with Begnas Lake, Rupa Lake becomes Nepal’s third-largest freshwater lake. It is situated in the Kaski region in the Pokhara Municipality. It lies at 600m or 1,969 ft. and covers an area of 1.35 km2. Rupa Lake is also the home of several floras and faunas; some endangered species are also kept in the conservative region.
There are 34 mammals, 104 bird species, 150 species of butterfly, White Lotus, and 13 species of Fish. In the case of plants, 500 species of endemic plants belong to 128 families; among them, 128 plants are of medicinal value. The average trek duration of the Rara Lake is about 15 to 21 days, during which you will explore some of the most important places of the Annapurna region.
Ghodaghodi Lake is one of the underrated lakes in Nepal, located in the Kailali district. It lies at an elevation of 205 meters and spreads across 2,563 hectares. Due to the historical importance of the lake, it has been kept in the Ramsar area for the conservation and protection of wildlife and culture. The lake is finger-like, with several marshes, meadows, and deciduous forests surrounding it. Around the Ghodaghodi Lake, thirteen lakes and ponds surround the main lake.
Regarding biodiversity, there are more than 450 species of plants. The lake is home to 388 types of plants. This includes five types of mosses and ferns, 253 broadleaf plants, and 130 grasses and lilies. Moreover, several endangered animal species exist, like Smooth-Coated Otters, Rock Pythons, Swamp Deer, Mugger Crocodiles, Lesser Adjutant Storks, and Three Stripped Roofed Turtle.
Fewa Lake is the second-largest lake in Nepal and a popular tourist destination for both local and international visitors. Due to its popularity, the entire town has been named Lake Side, where many restaurants and lodges are established for the comfort of the trekkers. The lake is home to the Tal Barahi temple in the middle and reflected in the water, along with the stunning view of the Machhapuchhre Mountains.
While Lakeside is bustling with tourists, the upper southeastern shore is rich with vegetation and wildlife. On a clear day, the Annapurna mountains reflect on the lake’s surface, and the colorful Rani Ban gives the lake an emerald shade. When in Pokhara, consider visiting this lake and taking a boat trip. During the evening, most people from Pokhara visit the temple for the evening Aarati. The Fewa Lake is the initial point of many treks in the Annapurna region.
Birendra Lake is another famous freshwater lake in Nepal, located in the Manaslu Glacier in the Gorkha district. The lake’s name is an homage to King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev. The lake is close to Punhyen Glacier and Gompa in Samagaun. It is 3 square kilometers big and sits at 4500m high. People hiking from Sama Gaun to Manaslu Base Camp can check out this lake in Gandaki Province. The distance from Samagaun to Birendra Lake (Tal) is about 1.88 miles long, with an elevation gain of 394 ft, and takes about 1–2.5 hours to complete.
The trail is considered moderately challenging and is great for camping and hiking. There are guest houses, lodges, and other sites for overnight stays in Samagaun. Nearby, there are also base camps to stay at if you do not want to hike back to Samaguan. As you approach the lake, you’ll be greeted by crystal-clear waters reflecting the surrounding snow-capped peaks, creating a picture-perfect scene. You can sit by the tranquil shores, enjoying a peaceful moment of reflection amidst the majestic Himalayan landscape. Whether you spend just a few minutes or linger a bit longer, visiting Birendra Lake adds a memorable touch to your Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Hence, these are the ten biggest lakes in Nepal. The country is based on many beautiful lakes as it falls under a landlocked country and can’t access the oceans or seas, so trekkers who visit Nepal for mountain adventures can also reach some of the beautiful lakes in Nepal.
The lakes in Nepal are also part of the Ramsar place, meaning the local community is working hard to conserve the local flora and fauna of the region. Hence, when visiting the biggest lakes in Nepal, you have to issue the permits needed for such areas. So, if you have not reached or explored the lakes in Nepal, we hope 2024 is the year you visit the lake.
The largest lake in Nepal is Rara Lake, with an area of 9.8 km². It is located in the Karnali province in the districts of Mugu and Jumla.
Rara Lake is also the deepest lake in Nepal, with a depth of 167m. It is also the deepest and largest lake in Nepal.
Tilicho Lake is the highest lake in Nepal, which lies at an altitude of 4919m. It is also the highest glacial lake in Nepal and among the coldest.
You can reach Begnas Lake from Pokhara by bus, taxi, or bike. Taking a bus from Prithvi Chowk in Pokhara will take you to the lake in about 30 minutes. Another popular option is to cycle to the lake.
Ghodaghodi Lake is located in the Kailali district in the far western region of Nepal. It is a significant Ramsar site and an Important Bird Area(IBA) in Nepal.
