Nepal is blessed with an array of stunning lakes, each with its own unique charm and significance. These lakes not only offer breathtaking natural beauty but also hold cultural and religious importance in the hearts of the Nepali people. From the pristine waters of Rara Lake in Mugu, nestled amidst lush forests and offering a taste of local culture, to the mesmerizing reflections of the Annapurna Mountains in Phewa Lake in Pokhara, Nepal’s lakes are amazing and truly beautiful.

Rupa Lake and Begnas Lake, although less crowded, provide amazing place for bird-watching and relaxation, showcasing the country’s rich biodiversity. Meanwhile, Tilicho Lake, perched at a lofty altitude, boasts both natural splendor and ancient legends. Gokyo Lakes, surrounded by towering peaks, offers crystal-clear waters and serene trekking opportunities in the Khumbu region. Khaste Lake in Pokhara offers a unique glimpse into birdlife and the world of pisciculture.

Phoksundo Lake, with its captivating blue hues and remote location in Dolpa, captures the essence of unspoiled wilderness. Gosaikunda, a holy site for Hindus and Buddhists alike, is a place of spiritual cleansing and devotion. Last but not least, Panch Pokhari near Chautara stands as a symbol of natural beauty and religious significance, where the grandeur of the Jugal Himal mountains greets the morning sun, and interactions with the Sherpa community provide a meaningful connection to the local culture.

Rara Lake

Rara Lake, also known as Rara Daha, is located in the Mugu district at an altitude of 2,972 meters. Its maximum depth is 2,972 meters, and its maximum width is 167 meters. Rara Lake has become a popular destination for travelers over the years.

Getting to Rara Lake involves a journey by air, starting with a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and another to Mugu’s Talcha Airport. From there, you can either go for a three-hour hike to the lake or for a quicker jeep ride to Milichari, which is just a 20-minute walk away. Once at Rara Lake, the activities are plentiful. Take a boat ride on the crystal-clear waters of the lake to get up close to its stunning surroundings. You can also experience the local culture by staying in homestays in Majhghatta or Murma Gaun, which are a short hike away.

Moreover, don’t miss the chance to hike to Murma Top, a breathtaking vantage point that offers panoramic views of Rara Lake and the surrounding mountains. The trail is relatively gentle, and a reasonably fit person can reach the hilltop in about two hours. Rara Lake truly offers a world of adventure and natural beauty for those who visit.

Phewa Lake

Phew Lake, also known as Phew Taal, is located in Kaski, District, Gandaki Province. The lake is named Phewa because it’s near a village called Phewa. People also call it Baidam Lake because it’s close to another village. There’s a temple called Barahi Mandir near it, so some people call it Barahi Mandir Lake too. This lake is the second largest in Nepal and the largest in Pokhara. The lake covers an area of about 5.23 square kilometers. If you measure how deep it goes, on average, it’s about 8.6 meters deep, but it can go as deep as 24 meters in some places.

The lake can hold a massive amount of water, about 430 million cubic meters, which is huge. If you look to the north, you’ll see the breathtaking view of the Annapurna mountains, which are about 28 kilometers away. What makes this lake extra special is that it acts like a mirror, reflecting majestic peaks like Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri. This reflection makes the mountains look even more incredible when you see them mirrored in the water. And let’s not forget that witnessing the sunrise and sunset at this place feels like watching pure magic in the sky, and it brings happiness to everyone who sees it.

Rupa Lake

Rupa Lake, also known as Rupa Taal, is a famous lake near Pokhara Lekhnath Municipality, Kaski. It is not as crowded as compared to other places in Pokhara. The lake is not very big; it is about 1.35 square kilometers. To get there, you’ll need to take a 15-kilometer drive to the east of town. It’s close to another lake called Begnas Lake, and it’s actually the third-largest lake in Nepal. You can go by public bus or private car. What makes Rupa Taal interesting is that you can see swans in the lake and go for boat rides.

There aren’t many places to stay right by the lake, but you can find hotels and lodges a few kilometers away. The lake is surrounded by a forest, so it’s peaceful. You can see water birds like cranes and swans and different water animals like fish and tortoises. But you can’t go fishing on your own; you need permission.

If you like hiking, there’s a hill nearby called Rupakot, about 5 kilometers away. You can find resorts there. You can also hike up to Rupakot, and from there, you can see the Annapurna mountains and both Begnas Taal and Rupa Taal. Rupakot is mostly famous for its breathtaking view.

Begnas Lake

Begnas Lake is also the biggest lake in Nepal’s Kaski district. It’s the second-largest lake in the Pokhara Valley and it’s not too far from Pokhara itself. Lots of people like to visit it when they come to Pokhara. You can think of it as an important part of the Pokhara tour.

Begnas Lake is that it’s cheaper to go boating there compared to Fewa Lake. This is because it’s a bit farther away from the main city. When you go for a boat ride on this lake, you can even stop in the middle of the lake and go for a swim in the clean water. Or you can park your boat near the edges of the lake and just relax, taking in all the beautiful plants and animals around Begnas Lake. There are also a bunch of resorts near Begnas Lake, which is great for tourists who are exploring Pokhara. It’s a nice place to stay and enjoy the natural beauty.

Tilicho Lake

Tilicho Lake is a famous place at the highest altitude in Nepal, part of the Annapurna range in the Himalayas. It’s way up there at 4,919 meters (16,138 feet) above sea level. This lake is not only very high but also quite big. It’s about 4 kilometers long and 1.2 kilometers wide, so it’s like a big, blue mirror in the mountains.
The water in Tilicho Lake comes from melting ice and snow, so it’s super fresh. Imagine 156 million liters of clean water.

People have been going to Tilicho Lake for a long time because it’s incredibly beautiful. People who are trekking in the Annapurna region often take a few extra days to get here. They come for the stunning view of the lake and how the mountains reflect in its blue water. It’s also nice because it’s not too crowded with tourists.

Tilicho Lake is also famous in ancient stories. It’s said to be the same lake where a crow named Kak Bhusundi told stories in the Ramayana, a very old epic tale. All around the lake, you’ll see big mountains like Khangsar Khang, Muktinath Peak, Nilgiri, and Tilicho Peak. And if you look north, you’ll see Annapurna I, which is the tallest mountain in the Annapurna Range. To the east, there are views of the Manaslu and Ngada Chullu mountains.

The water from Tilicho Lake flows into the Kangsar River, and then it joins the Marsyangdi River. This river runs beside the trekking trail that takes people to Tilicho Lake.

Gokyo Lake

Gokyo Lake is also one of the famous Biggest lake located in the Khumbu district of Nepal. The Gokyo Lakes is the highest lake in between the mountains, at about 4,700 to 5,000 meters above sea level. Lots of people who love trekking and climbing mountains go there. These lakes are famous for their super clear blue and green waters, which look amazing next to the snowy mountains around them.

The biggest and most famous lake in this group is called Dudh Pokhari, which is also known as the third lake. It’s thought to be one of the highest freshwater lakes anywhere in the world. There are some other lakes in the area too, like Thonak Cho, Ngozumpa Cho, Gyazumpa Cho, Tanjung Cho, and Longbanga Cho.

These Gokyo Lakes are inside the Sagarmatha National Park, which is a really special place protected by UNESCO because it’s home to rare and endangered plants and animals. Many people who love hiking and climbing visit this park, and one of the most famous treks is the one that takes you to the Gokyo Lakes.

Khaste Lake

Khaste Lake is the Biggest lake located in Pokhara, Lekhnath, Nepal. This lake is also known as Kharane Phant, specifically in Ward No. Lekhnath 3, 4, and 6. It’s not too big, covering an area of about 24.8030 hectares, and the water itself takes up about 13.7370 hectares.

For some time now, people have been doing pisciculture in this lake, which means they’ve been raising fish here. This place is great for watching birds like Siberian, Indian, and Afghani birds come here to escape the cold weather, so it’s like a sanctuary for them. This place could also be a research center for studying different types of birds.

Phoksundo Lake

Phoksundo Lake is an incredibly beautiful lake in Nepal. It’s known for its stunning aquamarine color. It’s way up high in the Dolpa district of Nepal, at 3,589 meters above sea level. People who hike here often say it’s like a little piece of heaven on Earth. This lake is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world by hikers who visit.

The lake is not that large, it covers an area of 1.91 square miles. It’s super deep, about 145 meters deep which makes it one of the deepest lakes in Nepal and one of the deepest high-altitude lakes in the whole world.

This lake is filled with super cold water from glaciers and rivers. It’s surrounded by 20 Buddhist monasteries, which are like peaceful temples. If you want to visit this beautiful glacier lake, you’ll need special permits because it’s in Shey Phoksundo National Park and Upper Dolpo, which are protected areas.

The water from this lake flows out in a big waterfall, about 167 meters tall, making it the highest waterfall in Nepal. Lots of people like to visit this place in the Dolpo region of Nepal.

One interesting thing is that no fish or other water creatures have been found in this very cold lake. And because it’s so cold, swimming is not allowed. To get here, you’ll have to travel for about three days from Juphal or Dunai to reach Ringmo village, where the lake is. Ringmo is also the way to get to Shey Gompa, where they celebrate the Shey Festival every twelve years.

Gosaikunda Lake

Gosaikunda is a famous holy lake in Nepal located in the Rasuwa district and covers an area of about 34 acres. It’s in the northern part of Kathmandu, not too far from places like Helambu, Langtang Valley, and Langtang National Park. If you measure the distance, it’s about 43 kilometers away from Kathmandu city, and it’s really high up, standing at 4,380 meters above sea level.

This lake is very special to people in Nepal because they believe it’s connected to Lord Shiva, who is a powerful and important god in Hindu mythology. They think that Lord Shiva meditated in the Himalayas of Nepal and Tibet for a long time and then came to this lake to take a pure bath. So, people of the Hindu religion visit this lake to purify their souls and wash away their sins, especially on the full moon day in August. This day is called Janai-Purnima, and it’s a big and famous festival in Nepal.

During this festival, the lake is filled with devotees who come to change their Janais, which are sacred threads that Hindu Brahmins wear. But before they do that, they take a bath in the lake and pray to Lord Shiva. They believe that the pure water of Gosaikunda washes away their sins, sorrows, and pains. It’s a very special and important place for both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal.

Panch Pokhari

Panch Pokhari is a beautiful lake in Nepal located in Chautara, Sindhupalchok District. It is a famous and most beautiful place in that province also it is near from Kathmandu city. To reach Panch Pokhari, you must follow a trail that takes you to an altitude of 4100 meters above sea level.

Along the way to Panch Pokhari, you’ll see some beautiful forests with bamboo, pine, and other green trees. You can also enjoy breathtaking views of mountains like Gauri Shanker, Langtang, Dorje Lakpa, and Jugal Himal.

Panch Pokhari is not just a regular lake it’s a religious place. People come here for religious reasons. When you’re at the lake, you can see the snow-covered Jugal Himal mountains when the sun rises. Plus, you can meet and talk to the Sherpa people who live in this area. It’s a meaningful and unique experience.

FAQs

1. What are the top 10 biggest lakes in Nepal?

Ans: The top 10 biggest lakes in Nepal are:

  1. Rara Lake
  2. Phewa Lake
  3. Begnas Lake
  4. Tilicho Lake
  5. Gosaikunda Lake
  6. Phoksundo Lake
  7. Rupa Lake
  8. Indra Sarobar Lake
  9. Ghodaghodi Tal
  10. Khaptad Lake

2. Where is Rara Lake located?

Ans: Rara Lake is located in Rara National Park in the Jumla and Mugu districts of Karnali Province in northwestern Nepal. It sits at an elevation of 2,990 m (9,810 ft) above sea level.

3. Which lakes are part of the Kathmandu Valley?

Ans: The major lakes that are part of the Kathmandu Valley include Phewa Lake, Begnas Lake, Rupa Lake, Taudaha Lake, Naga Pokhari, Gokarna Lake, Sundarijal Lake, and Indra Sarobar Lake.

4. What is Gosaikunda Lake’s elevation, and why is it important?

Ans: Gosaikunda Lake sits at an elevation of 4,380 m (14,370 ft) above sea level in the Langtang National Park of Rasuwa District. It is an alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake and is held sacred by Hindus and Buddhists.

5. What activities can tourists enjoy at Rupa Lake in Nepal?

Ans: Tourists can enjoy boating, kayaking, camping, nature walks, bird watching, picnicking, and short hikes around Rupa Lake in Nepal. The lake is also popular among anglers for catching rainbow trout.

6. Which is the largest lake in Nepal?

Ans: Rara Lake, with an area of 10.8 sq km, is the largest lake in Nepal.

7. Which is the second biggest lake in Nepal?

Ans: Phewa Lake, with an area of 4.43 sq km, is the second biggest lake in Nepal after Rara Lake.

8. Is Rara Lake the biggest lake in Nepal?

Ans: Yes, Rara Lake is the biggest lake in Nepal. With an area of 10.8 sq km, it is the largest lake in the country.

9. Which is the third largest lake of Nepal?

Ans: Begnas Lake, with an area of 3.73 sq km, is the third largest lake in Nepal after Rara Lake and Phewa Lake.

10. Which is the biggest man made lake in Nepal?

Ans: Indra Sarobar Lake, also known as Sundarijal Lake, is the biggest manmade lake in Nepal with an area of 3.3 sq km. It is located near Sundarijal in the Kathmandu Valley.