There are several beautiful lakes in Nepal. Nepal has breathtaking high mountains and stunning lakes, which are situated in the Himalayan landscape. Did you know that Nepal is the second-richest country regarding inland water resources? It’s truly incredible. Nepal has over 6,000 rivers, 3,252 glaciers, and 2,300 glacial lakes. The rivers and lakes originate in the high mountains and glaciers. The beauty of lakes in the mountains and mid-hill attracts travelers from all over the world. Local enthusiast travelers have also shown a strong desire to visit Nepal’s gorgeous lakes throughout the years.
Higher-altitude lakes in Nepal hold religious importance, drawing pilgrims from all over the world. Some lakes are popular tourist destinations due to their pure beauty. Other lakes are renowned for their unique features and stunning beauty. Some lakes in Nepal are well known for their unmatched and notable traits, which set world records. Here are some of the beautiful and famous lakes in Nepal.
Table of Contents
Beautiful Lakes of Nepal
Rara Lake
- Location: Mugu District, Karnali province
- Area: 10.8 sq km
- Depth: 100m (average)
- Altitude: 2,990m
Rara Lake is the largest lake in Nepal and a well-known travel destination. Located at 2,990 meters, it offers a beautiful travel experience. The lake covers 9.8 square kilometers in Rara National Park. Rara Lake Trek takes you to a remote part of Nepal near the Tibetan border. Bill Greer, the founder of GORP (Great Outdoor Recreation Pages), described Rara Lake as “a shimmering blue jewel surrounded by snowy peaks.”
The Rara Lake Trek Route passes through small villages, pine, spruce, juniper forests, peaceful valleys, and stunning landscapes. The trek starts with a scenic flight to Nepalgunj and then to Jumla. From there, you’ll hike through the remote trails of Western Nepal. Key stops include Chere Chaur, Chalachaur, Sinja Valley, and Ghorosingha.
Phewa Lake
- Location: Pokhara
- Area: 4.43 sq km
- Depth: 8.6m
- Altitude: 742m
Phewa Lake in Pokhara is the second-largest lake in Nepal. It’s a semi-natural freshwater lake surrounded by the lush Rani Ban forest and is famous for reflecting the Annapurna range, Machhapuchre, and Dhaulagiri mountains. Phewa Lake is the most visited lake in Nepal. In the middle of the lake, there is Tal Barahi Temple. Phewa Lake is always captivating, whether you paddle to the small island in the lake’s center, walk along the Lakeside, or admire the mountains to the north.
To get to Pokhara, you can fly or take a tourist bus. The bus ride takes 5-6 hours, while the flight is about 25 minutes. You can rent a canoe or paddleboat to enjoy the lake, walk by the Lakeside, and soak in the beautiful views. Besides the lake, you can visit places like Sarangkot or the World Peace Stupa.
Tilicho Lake
- Location: Manang
- Area: 4.8 sq km
- Depth: 85m
- Altitude: 4,919m
Tilicho Lake, located in the Manang district of Nepal, is the second-highest lake in the world, sitting at 4,919 meters above sea level. Tilicho Lake is a key attraction in the Annapurna region and is famous for hiking. Trekkers often take a detour to visit Tilicho Lake to enjoy its stunning beauty and peaceful atmosphere.
Tilicho Lake is 55 kilometers from Pokhara and requires a few days of trekking from Pokhara and Kathmandu. The trek begins in Chame, the main town of Manang District, and passes through notable spots like Chame, Upper Pisang, Manang, Siri Kharka, and Tilicho Base Camp. You can complete the trek to Tilicho Lake in about 10-12 days. Flat-roofed houses and Tibetan-influenced culture are the two unique rewards this trek offers.
Gosaikunda Lake
- Location: Rasuwa, Langtang National Park
- Area: 4.0 sq km
- Depth: 26.5m
- Altitude: 4,380m
Gosaikunda Lake, located at 4,380 meters in the Rasuwa district of Nepal, is a sacred site for many. Surrounded by 108 smaller lakes, it attracts hundreds of trekkers and Hindu worshippers yearly. Hindu legends say that Lord Shiva made the lake by using his Trishul (holy trident) to dig into a mountain and bring outer water to soothe his throat after drinking poison. During the Gangadashahara and Janai Purnima festivals, many pilgrims from Nepal and India visit Gosaikunda Lake for spiritual reasons.
To get to Gosaikunda, drive for about 8 hours to Dunche. From there, the trek begins and passes through scenic places like Deurali, Sing Gompa, Laurebina, and Gosaikunda Lake. The trail features rolling hills, charming villages, a monastery, lush forests, and rocky areas. You can reach the lake in about four days and be rewarded with stunning views of nearby peaks like Mt Langtang, Mt Ganesh, Hiunchuli, and Manaslu.
Shey Phoksundo Lake
- Location: Dolpo District, Shey Phoksundo National Park
- Area: 4.94 sq km
- Depth: 145m
- Altitude: 3,589m
Shey Phoksundo Lake, sitting at 3,589 meters, is a sacred site for Buddhists and Bompo followers. Mid-Western Nepal’s beautiful, clear freshwater lake is a popular tourist spot. The stunning turquoise lake is the highlight of the Dolpo region and draws many trekkers each year. A unique feature of Phoksundo Lake is the village of Ringmo, located on an ancient landslide dam that is 30,000 to 40,000 years old. You can also learn about the Bon religion here.
To visit Phoksundo Lake, you’ll need about 11 days from Kathmandu. The trek begins in Dunai, after flying to Nepalgunj and then Juphal. The route takes you through Tibetan villages, lush rhododendron forests, and striking landscapes. Key stops on the trek include Dunai, Chhepka, Ringmo, and Jhupal.
Begnas Lake
- Location: Pokhara
- Area: 3.28 sq km
- Depth: 10m
- Altitude: 650m
Begas Lake is another stunning lake in Nepal. As one of Nepal’s largest lakes, Begnas Lake attracts many visitors who enjoy its beautiful views of the Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and enjoy some peace, Pokhara and Begnas Lake are perfect.
You can reach Pokhara by either flying or taking a bus. The lake is about a 30-minute drive from Lakeside in Pokhara. The nearest bus stop is Milanchwok Bus Stop. At the lake, you can take a long boat ride or paddle a boat on your own to enjoy the scenery. You can also have a picnic with friends or family by the lake. Plus, Begnas Lake is less crowded than Phewa Lake.
Tsho Rolpa Lake
- Location: Rolwaling Village, Dolakha District
- Area: 1.537 sq km
- Depth: 55m (average)
- Altitude: 4,580m
Tsho Rolpa Lake, located at 4,580 meters in the Rolwaling Valley between the Everest and Langtang regions, is one of the most beautiful lakes in Nepal. It’s also one of the biggest glacial lakes in the country. In the Sherpa language, “Tsho” means Lake, and “Rolpa” refers to the Rolwaling Valley. This lake has grown over 60 years because a nearby glacier is melting quickly. Scientists say it could be dangerous due to the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risk.
The lake is about 115 km northeast of Kathmandu. The Tsho Rolpa Trek takes about 15 days, starting from Dolakha. The route leads you through the Rolwaling Valley, with popular stops at Singati, Jagat, Simigaon, Daldung-La, Beding, and Na. A unique part of this trek is crossing the Cantilever Bridge. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of Gaurishankar Himal and pass through terraced farmlands, waterfalls, the fast-flowing Rolwaling River, and snow-capped mountains. You’ll also experience Sherpa culture and visit Beding and Na village monasteries.
Imja Tsho Lake
- Location: Samagaun, Nepal
- Area: 1.055 sq km
- Depth: 90m
- Altitude: 3,691m
Imja Tsho is a glacial lake at 5,010 meters in the Everest region, formed by the melting of the Imja Glacier, which is how it got its name. It’s one of 21 glacial lakes in Nepal and is considered dangerous due to a glacial outburst flood risk. Imja Tsho is also one of the fastest-growing glacial lakes in the country.
The trek to Imja Tsho Lake takes about nine days, starting from Lukla and following the same trail as the Everest Base Camp Trek. Key stops include Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Chhukhung village. The trek passes through beautiful Sherpa villages and lush rhododendron forests. Along the journey, you can see stunning views of some of the world’s highest mountains, including Everest.
Gokyo Lakes
- Location: Khumjing Village, Solukhumbu District
- Area: 1.96 sq km
- Depth: 62.4m (deepest among these lakes)
- Altitude: 4,700m -5,000m
Gokyo Lakes, which are six glacial-fed lakes at 5,000 meters, are the highest freshwater lake system in the world. Located at 4,700 to 5,000 meters in the Everest region, these beautiful lakes attract trekkers and pilgrims yearly with their shimmering green water. Hindus and Buddhists consider the lake sacred, and pilgrims come to bathe in the lake during the Janai Purnima festival. Hindu mythology says that these lakes are the home of the “Naag Devata” (Snake God).
The Gokyo Lakes trek is one of the best treks in Nepal. The trek includes a hike to Gokyo Ri, a viewpoint at 5,357 meters, offering fantastic views of the Gokyo Valley, Gokyo Lakes, and nearby peaks like Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu. The trail follows part of the Everest Base Camp Trek and goes by Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest glacier in Nepal. Trekkers return via the high Renjo La Pass. Key stops include Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Dole, and Machhermo.
Birendra Lake
- Location: The village of Hinku in the Everest region
- Altitude: 3,691m
Birendra Lake, also called Birendra Taal, is a freshwater lake fed by the Manaslu Glacier in the Gorkha district of Nepal. This lake is an easy side trip on the Manaslu Circuit Trek, which trekkers often visit during their acclimatization days. Birendra Lake is just a 30-minute hike from the well-known village of Sama Gaon. The clear turquoise water and stunning mountain backdrop attract many trekkers to this beautiful spot.
Conclusion
The lakes mentioned above are some of the most beautiful lakes in Nepal. These lakes are major attractions, bringing in thousands of trekkers, nature lovers, and travelers worldwide. The calm and peaceful surroundings offer a relaxing experience for your mind and soul. Awa from the busy city life, you can unwind and enjoy peaceful moments with your friends and family at these lakes in Nepal.
FAQs
Which is the new highest lake in Nepal?
Kajin Sara Lake is the new highest lake in Nepal. It is located in the Manang district at around 5,200 meters above sea level. The lake was discovered recently and has gained attention for its stunning beauty and high elevation.
Which is the longest lake in Nepal?
Rara Lake is the longest lake in Nepal. Rara Lake is in the remote Mugu district in the country’s far western region. The lake stretches about 5 kilometers long and is known for its clear blue waters and peaceful surroundings. Rara Lake is also the largest lake in Nepal.
What are the names of 7 lakes in Pokhara?
The seven well-known lakes in Pokhara are Phewa Lake, Begnas Lake, Rupa Lake, Khaste Lake, Dipang Lake, Maidi Lake, and Gunde Lake. Each lake offers unique scenic views and peaceful surroundings, making Pokhara a popular destination for travelers who love nature.
Which district is known as the Seven Lakes of Nepal?
Kaski district is known as the “Seven Lakes of Nepal.” The seven lakes are Begnas, Rupa, Khaste, Depang, Maidi, Neureni, and Gunde. While Begnas and Rupa are relatively well-known, the other lakes are less familiar to most visitors.
How deep are the lakes in Nepal?
Lakes in Nepal vary widely in depth. Rara Lake, the deepest, reaches about 167 meters (548 feet). Phewa Lake in Pokhara has a maximum depth of around 8.6 meters (28 feet), while Begnas Lake is about 6.6 meters (22 feet) deep.
