Lakes of Nepal – Deepest & Biggest Lakes in Nepal

Recently updated on August 20th, 2023 at 05:52 am

How Many Lakes Are There in Nepal?

Nepal, particularly geographically, is a nation of so much variety. Within its small geographical area, we find such incredible sites and landforms in Nepal like nowhere else in the world. The unusual geography of Nepal is truly a sight for sore eyes. Among these beautiful sites, the lakes of Nepal are no less than incredible. All over the country, you will find genuinely mesmerizing lakes worth great hikes or even short rides. Some of the major lakes of Nepal fall in the most fascinating zones of the country.

List Of 15 Biggest & Deepest Lakes In Nepal

1. Rara Lake

Rara Lake at 2,990 m is Nepal’s deepest lake and one of the most unimpeded. The luminous streams of the lake are surrounded by lush green forests on all ends, coated in juniper forests. A trip to the remote area of Rara National Park is truly an introduction to sanity and peace to a different level. Rara is the country’s smallest national park in the far northwest portion of Nepal, while Rara Lake is Nepal’s largest lake. At some locations, the lake is 167 m long and flows through Nijar Khola into the Mugu Karnali streams. Chuchemara Hill at 4,087 m is the perfect place of view to appreciate beautiful sights of the deep blue lake, the wooded hillsides and the snow-capped hills around it.

Here Are Some Activities You Must Do During Your Visit To This Beautiful lake in Nepal:

1. Rent a boat in the lake.
2. Hike to the Murma Viewpoint.
3. Take astonishing photographs.
4. Ride a horse.
5. Set up a hammock and sleep in a tent by the Lakeside.

2. Phewa Lake

Phewa Lake, also known as Phewa Tal is Nepal’s second-biggest lake and falls among one of the most popular lakes in Nepal. The lake is a center of attraction for a great crowd of tourists, both domestic and foreign. While you find the perfect nightlife experience around the Lakeside, Pokhara also offers you with lush forest and high mountain views. The center of Phewa lake might be the ideal location to experience the best of both worlds. The upper southeastern coast is heavily wooded and vibrant with birdlife, as opposed to Lakeside’s gaudy tourist presence. The colorful Rani Ban, or Queen’s Forest, gives the lake an emerald hue, and the Annapurna hills reflect entirely on their mirror layer on a bright day.

You can rent painted traditional boats to take a trip around the lake or to the Tal Barahi temple set on a small island in the middle of the lake. A visit to this lake and even a boat ride is our top recommendation when you visit the city of Pokhara.

3. Begnas Lake

Begnas is the third largest lake in Nepal, located in the southeastern region of the Pokhara Valley. Begnas is a twin-forming freshwater lake with the Rupa Tal. This region’s southern part has settlements and many terrace farm adding to its uniqueness and attractions. The Begnas is mainly known for fishing, and this region attracts fishing enthusiasts.

Likewise, most visitors are drawn to this region for boating and fishing as it also offers boating from every corner of the lake.
Next to Begnas you will discover many cafes, and famous among the tourists, there is also a market of homemade products. There are finest accommodations and shelters in the settlements that offer opportunities to enjoy the local people’s lifestyles up close.

4. Rupa Lake

Rupa Tal is a freshwater lake and a twin lake to Begnas and is about 10 km away from the city of Pokhara. Though it is near the town, there aren’t many visitors or tourists around, and therefore the lake is clean and fresh. However, the lake is home of about 36 waterbird species along with a large amount of flora and fauna. This lake offers a lot of great views as it is more untouched than the other lakes in this area.

5. Tilicho Lake

Tilicho is located in Manang district at an altitude of 4,919 meters, 55 kilometers from the beautiful town of Pokhara. Because of its freezing water and scenic charm that is linked to the towering mountains around it, it has become a popular destination for many travelers. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, there is no trace of any water species here which is quite fascinating.

Tilicho is one of the most famous lakes in Nepal for being the highest altitude lake in the world. As we go higher to triumph over the view of the lake, it is not an easy task, but this trip is exhilarating and thrilling. This trekking route is a fantastic journey for the highest lake in the world. This route has also become a famous destination for the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Activities To Do In Tilicho

1. Trek to Khangsar Village.
2. Trekking to Tilicho Base Camp.
3. Trek to Yak Kharka.
4. Trek to Thorong Phedi.

6. Khaste Lake

Khaste, a freshwater lake is situated in Pokhara Lekhnath metropolitan town of Nepal and covers an area of 24.8030 hectors. This lake is famous for Pisciculture that has been performed on the renowned lake for several years. The place, known as’ Bird Wetland,’ is ideal as a bird-watching lake, as Siberian, Indian and Afghani animals fly here to guard themselves against the grim. This region can be a potential research center for various species of birds.

7. Gokyo Lake

Gokyo Lakes comes into the backdrop of the sixth-highest mountain in the world, Cho Oyu. At an altitude of 4700-5000 meters above sea level, the lakes of Gokyo are the highest freshwater lake scheme in the world. They are located within the Khumbu region’s Sagarmatha National Park and are predominantly made up of a glacier called the Ngozumpa Glacier.

The Gokyo system comprises of lakes like 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.

Traveling around the Gokyo Lakes provides an appealing display of the beautiful lakes with a picturesque background all around. The Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest in Nepal, flows to the right of the lakes. It’s also the lakes ‘ origin. The rivers of Gokyo have both spiritual and ecological importance and are classified as Nepal’s Ramsar sites.

8. Phoksundo Lake

Phoksundo is the deepest lake in Nepal and is located in the Dolpa district, far west of Kathmandu, which is encountered on a trek to Dolpo. This famous Nepalese lake is at 3,615 meters above sea level.
Through spotless landscapes, stunning forest, snowcapped peaks, and spectacular views, the path to Phoksundo reveals a marvelous trail. Phoksundo’s pristine blue waters lay within a semi-arid alpine pine forest landscape. The lake is part of the Shey-Phoksundo National Park and is an ecologically significant wetland. It is identified as a Ramsar site as well.

9. Gosaikunda Lake

Gosaikunda Lake is one of Nepal’s most famous pilgrimage and spiritual places. It is positioned at an altitude of 4,380 m (14370 ft.) and encircled by high mountains in Rasuwa District’s Langtang National Park covering 13.8 ha (34 acres) of area.

Gosaikunda is designated within the Langtang National Park as a Ramsar site. It is a significant wetland, and there are more than 108 exotic glacial lakes in the region. A brief hike from Gosaikunda for about an hour will bring you to Suryakunda, Aama Kunda and other narrow lakes. You can see Ganesh Himal and Langtang Lirung’s views from this magnificent region.
The intriguing landscapes alongside Tamang people’s traditional civilization and their customs and traditions, excellent cheese business, and extensive wildlife render Gosaikunda a popular tourist destination.

10. Panch Pokhari

Panch Pokhari has 5 Hindu holy lakes and is one of the highest altitude wetland in the world. This lake encompasses the biological diversity, natural beauty, and cultural heritage of the Sindhupalchowk district of Nepal. There is a crowd of many Hindus and Buddhist pilgrimages on different occasions as the lake has high religious values. However, this lake has become popular among tourists in recent years for the magnificent views among the glacial lakes.

You will have a stunning view of some of the snow-capped mountains such as Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m), Phurbi Chhyachu (6,637 m), Madiya (6,257 m), Rolwaling and Langtang, Jugal Himal when you visit Panch Pokhari. Another major attraction is the charming biological diversities that make the journey worthwhile.

11. Man Sarowar

A journey to the lake Man Sarowar can prove to be challenging yet satisfying voyage to one of the largest and most holy lakes in the world. The lake that lies on the base of the unattainable Mount Kailash is one of the most popular lakes among devotees of Lord Shiva. This lake has become popular among tourists in recent years for its mysteries and spiritual value. This holy river is pure and untouched, making it the perfect destination for seeking divine blessings from Lord Shiva. The panoramic view of the mystic Kailash mountain and the rich Tibetan culture around the area add to the attractions even more. This location is perfect for seeking peace after crossing tough trekking routes.

12. Tsho Rolpa Lake

Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek is one of the least-visited trekking paths in the Rolwaling area that takes you to Tsho Rolpa, Nepal’s biggest glacial lake. Despite being a neighbor to Everest, the most popular trekking destinations, Tsho Rolpa continues in all its glory to be remote and serene. In addition to the pristine Tsho Rolpa lake itself, the trek features a continuous Gaurishankar Himal panorama (7134 m) adding beauty to the trek. This beautiful lake is located about 115 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu in the Dolakha district of Nepal. This trek route might be challenging, but the incredible Tsho Rolpa Lake proves to be worth the struggles of the trip.

13. Taudaha Lake

Taudaha Lake is your perfect escape from the crowd and chaos of the Kathmandu city located about six kilometers away from the town in the foothills of Chobar. While this lake might not be classified as one of the enormous or incredible lakes in Nepal, its accessibility from the city of Kathmandu and its ties with the rich history of the Kathmandu valley makes it one of the famous lakes in Nepal. Another major attraction of this location is the peaceful environment with forests and rich culture in the area. Taudaha also has a range of fish and migratory birds with an incongruously secluded tree in the center of the big water pool. The lake is also known as the lake of snakes as various species of snakes reside in the lake.

Legends have it that the Taudaha Lake is a remnant pool of the enormous lake that once existed where Kathmandu City now sits. According to mythology, the hill in the south of the Valley was cut by a mythical Buddhist character Manjushree, draining away the water of the lake enabling the Valley for habitation.

14. Gangapurna Lake

Gangapurna Lake, a glacial lake in the Manang district of Nepal, is one of the best lakes in Nepal. The glacial lake, 3,540 meters high, is composed of glaciers of Mt. Gangapurna (7,454 meters), Annapurna IV (7,525 meters), Khangsar Kang and Glacier Dom. Gangapurna Lake is regarded the second most sought after tourist attraction after Tilicho Lake, which appears cyan during spring and autumn, white during monsoon and is coated in the snow in winter.

15. Imja Tsho Lake

The Imja Tsho Lake is a glacial lake in the Everest region of Nepal. This hazardous mountain terrain, surpassing the previous records of the biggest, lowest, and deepest lakes, leads to the country’s fastest increasing lake. This lake is the last tourist destination in the Dudh Koshi sub-basin, at an altitude of 5010 meters.

This glacial lake of Nepal is famous for its hazardous journey and the potential dangers of glacial outbursts. It is no surprise that this has ignited the interests of various tourists, making it one of the popular lakes in Nepal.

To sum up,

Nepal is a truly mesmerizing country that offers you the experience of a lifetime. The natural beauty of Nepal sees no bounds and the beautiful lakes in Nepal are no exception. While these are some of the famous lakes in Nepal, there are thousands more just waiting to be explored. Visit Nepal to experience the serenity of these incredible lakes in Nepal.