Top 10 Amazing Lakes of Nepal

A small landlocked country in south-east Asia, Nepal is one of the largest sovereign Himalayan states in the continent. With eight of the ten tallest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest- the highest peak on the planet. With glaciers and snowy mountain peaks that are the sources of various rivers and lake, Nepal is the second-richest country in water-resources. 

Many of the lakes of Nepal hold religious and traditional significance and have visitors and pilgrims excusing to them from all over the world. Adding more beauty to the terrain, the cerulean lakes of Nepal are the country’s jewels that enhance the beauty of the overall landscape. The lakes of Nepal are a natural phenomenon that takes the role of important signs of the region they are located at. Here are Top 10 amazing lakes of Nepal.

10. Gokyo lake

The Gokyo Lake system comprises of numerous lakes, of which there are six prominent ones: Gokyo Cho (Dudh Pokhari), Thonak Cho (the largest), Gyazumpa Cho, Tanjung Cho, Ngozumpa Cho, and Longbanga Cho. The main lake of the system is Gokyo Cho, also known as the Dudh Pokhari (milk lake). Collectively, the lakes discharge into the Dudh Koshi river system.

A walk around the Gokyo Lakes (valley) offers a picturesque view of the amazing lakes with a magnificent backdrop of mountains all around. Mount Everest hides behind other mountains, but a three-hour walk up to Gokyo Ri summit, above the lakes, reveal the majestic Mount Everest. To the right of the lakes lies the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest in Nepal. The Gokyo lakes hold religious as well as ecological significance, and are enlisted as one of the Ramsar sites of Nepal.

9. Tsho Rolpa lake

To the north-east of the Kathmandu Valley lies one of the biggest glacial lakes of Nepal, Tsho Rolpa. Situated at an altitude of 4580 meters, the Tsho Rolpa trek may be the most underrated in Nepal. The glacial lake lies in the Rolwaling Valley of Dolakha district. The Rolwaling region is situated between Langtang to the west and Everest to the east. The views of the Rolwaling range are particularly impressive, as Likhu Chuli rises high in front of the lake. The lake falls inside the Gaurishankhar Conservation Area, and is a very important wetland. The trek offers an insight into the lifestyle of the Tibetan-influenced Sherpa culture.

8. Imja Tsho lake

A glacial Lake created after melted water began collecting at the foot of the Imja Glacier; the Imja Tsho Lake is one of the fastest growing lakes in the Himalayas. Held in place by a terminal moraine, Imja Tsho threatens downstream communities with the potential for a glacial outburst flood. Located at the Everest region of Nepal, the catchment of Imja Tsho occupies the northeastern part of the Dudh Koshi sub-basin. Located on the lower part of the glacier at the toe of its mother glaciers- snout of Imja and Lhotse Shar Glaciers, Imja Tsho Lake seldom makes an appearance in the famous Everest Base Camp trek with Island Peak. In 2016, the Nepalese Army constructed an outlet and drained over 4 million cubic meters of water from the lake.

7. Begnas and Rupa Lake

Situated at Kaski district in Nepal, Begnas  and RupaLake lies south-east of the Pokhara valley. These lakes are  among the eight lakes in Pokhara Valley. The area of Begnas Lake, with number of resorts, is a popular destination for tourists visiting Pokhara. The water from the lake is used for irrigation and some parts of the lake are used as caged fisheries also. Surrounded by beautiful paddy fields, the lake is a gorgeous destination for Annapurna region treks.

6. Gosainkunda 

Gosaikunda Lake is one of the most famous lakes in Nepal. At an altitude of 4380 meters in the district of Rasuwa, around 150 kilometers to the north of Kathmandu, the lake holds religious importance and is a pilgrimage site during Janai Purnima. Though the lake remains frozen for only a short time during winter, the name “Frozen Lake” is often used for Gosaikunda

Enlisted as a Ramsar site, Gosaikunda is within the Langtang National Park, and can be added onto the Langtang Valley trek. It is an important wetland, and the region actually comprises over 108 lakes. A short trek of about an hour from Gosaikunda will take you to Suryakunda, Aama Kunda and other small lakes with views of Ganesh Himal and Langtang Lirung. The trail continues from there to Helambu region. Gosaikunda is the point of origin for one of the major river systems of Nepal-the Trishuli River.

5. Tilicho Lake

Tilicho Lake is one of the most spectacular lakes of Nepal. Situated at 4919 meters, it is connected with one of the world’s classic treks, the Annapurna Circuit trek. It’s as if the lake blends with the bluish skies in distance, where the two meet. The high altitude surrounding lack vegetation, thus enhancing the magnificence of the lake

Tilicho Lake, while technically not falling on the typical Annapurna Circuit trek, can be made a part of the trek. The trail to Tilicho is separated from the Manang Valley, leading westward, while the trek to the Thorang La (on the main ABC circuit) forks away to the north. Lake Tilicho falls inside the Annapurna Conservation Area and is the source of the river Marsyangdi.

4. Shey Foksundo lake

Phoksundo Lake, Nepal’s deepest lake, lies in Dolpa district, far to the west of Kathmandu, which can be experienced during the trek to Dolpo region. The freshwater lake sits at an altitude of 3615 meters. 

The trek to Phoksundo Lake follows an amazing trail through pristine landscapes, beautiful forest, snowcapped mountains and magnificent views. The lake itself is aesthetically pleasing. The pristine blue waters of Phoksundo sit within an alpine semi-arid landscape with patches of pine forest. Part of the Shey-Phoksundo National Park, Phoksundo Lake is a wetland with ecological importance, listed as a Ramsar site

3. Phewa Lake

A freshwater lake located south of Pokhara valley, Fewa Lake is a prominent feature of Pokhara City. The second-largest Lake in Nepal, Fewa Lake is located at an altitude of 742 meters with the Annapurna Mountain Range lying only about 28 kilometers away. Famous for casting a marvelous reflection on its surface of the Machhapuchhre Himal, Fewa Lake is often used for recreational boating by travelers. The Taal Barahi temple is also situated on an island in the lake. As a main tourist attraction of the Pokhara city, Fewa Lake has a northern shore develop into a tourist district, commonly called the Lake-side, which has hotels, restaurants and bars catering to tourists. Boating on the Fewa Lake is often included on the famous Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the city of Pokhara is also a starting point of the trek.

2. Rara Lake

Far in the western reaches of Nepal sits the largest lake in Nepal, Rara Lake, at 2990 meters. Rara Lake is not as frequented as many other lakes, so offers an unspoilt environment. You will likely have an undisturbed wilderness to yourself. Rara is another important wetland of Nepal listed as a Ramsar site, within Rara National Park.

The most striking thing about the lake is its ability to change to seven different colors during the light of day. This peculiar phenomenon makes it a unique lake in Nepal. The lake is so large that it takes almost a whole day to go around it. Rara Lake drains into the Mugu Karnali river.

1. Panch Pokhari Lake

The road least travelled by takes you to the beautiful lakes of Panch Pokhari. This is an alpine lake system situated at 4100 meters, in the Langtang National Park. It is definitely one of the least visited places, but still offers majestic views and an amazing trek into the wilderness of Sindupalchowk

Paanch Pokhari is also famous for its religious significance, the lake receives many visitors during the festival of Janai Purnima. But the rest of the year, the trails remain mostly undisturbed and the views of the Himalayas are also spectacular. Trekking to Paanch Pokhari requires camping trek

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