5 must-visit lakes of Nepal

17, Dec 2018 | nepaltraveller.com

Nepal is home to many of the world's most breathtaking lakes. But what makes these lakes even more beautiful is these lakes are hidden in remote places of the country— places with magnificent beauty where travelling to is itself an exciting adventure.

Nepal is a must-visit place for those who seek adventure. It has gorgeous mountain trails, beautiful valleys and many adventure sports that are sure to win a traveller’s heart. It is an ideal place for trekkers, mountaineers and those who wish to immerse themselves in the wild lap of nature.

Nepal is home to many of the world's most breathtaking lakes. But what makes these lakes even more beautiful is these lakes are hidden in remote places of the country— places with magnificent beauty where travelling to is itself an exciting adventure. We have listed some of the must-visit lakes of Nepal that guarantees an adventure of a lifetime.

Rara Lake

Also called the “Nymph of Heaven”, Rara lake is the biggest freshwater lake of Nepal that brims with exotic beauty. The lake lies in Mugu district (the north-western part of Nepal) and is a part of Rara National Park. Situated at an altitude of 2990m, the lake is surrounded by coniferous forest and the striking view of beautiful snow-capped mountains heightens its beauty. The most intriguing thing about Rara Lake is that it changes its colour seven times during daylight.

The only medium of travel to the lake is to take a flight from Nepalgunj and hike a few hours from Talcha Airport. But if you are looking for a thrilling experience, take a road trip to Mugu headquarter and hike for 3 hours. The best time to visit Rara is around September/November or March/May when the climate is mild and there is no rainfall. In winter, the weather can get too harsh making it difficult to trek to the lake.  Getting to Rara Lake might require a lot of physical activities, but all is forgotten when you sit beside the celestial lake and let its beauty rejuvenate you.

 

Tilicho Lake

Located in Manang district, Tilicho lake is one of the world’s highest lakes situated in a jaw-dropping location— at an altitude of 4919 m, in the Annapurna range of Himalayas. It takes a two-day long hike from the Manang valley to reach this stunning lake. The lake seems to be the border between two different worlds. On one side, there is the barren and weathered landscape and on the other, steep giant Himalayan peaks. You can have a clear view of The Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range from the lake.  A popular destination for all photographers, this lake can give you magnificent few of sunrises which cannot be seen elsewhere. Autumn (Sept-Nov) and spring (March-May) are considered the best seasons for trekking to the lake.

 

Shey-Phoksundo Lake

With a depth of approximately 650m, this turquoise blue lake is considered to be one of the deepest lakes of Nepal. It lies in Dolpa district—in the midwestern region of the country. Due to its high mountains and snow-covered passes, Dolpa is one of the most isolated places in the country; nevertheless, it is a valley that is a virtual preserve of ancient Tibetan culture. Ringmo village, a typical Tibetan village, is scenically nestled in the area. You can find many ancient Buddhist and Bonpo monasteries built beautifully there. Many beautiful glaciers found near and above the area decorate the lake.  It is the ultimate destination for adventure and culture tourism.

 

Phewa Lake

A jewel in the city of Pokhara, Phewa Lake is the second largest lake of Nepal. The lush forest surrounding the lake presents an emerald hue and the shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range reflected in the water make it a paradise for travellers. You can take a boat ride, walk and cycle around the shore or take a hike to the World Peace pagoda to enjoy a spectacular vista of the lake. There is a small island where devotees ride a boat to visit the temple of Tal Barahi which is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Durga. In addition, you can also indulge in various water sports like kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and so on

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Gosaikunda

Gosaikunda is a freshwater lake in Langtang National Park in the Rasuwa District of Nepal. The lake remains frozen for six months in winter from October to June. The lake holds special religious importance for Hindus all over the world. According to Hindu mythology, the lake was formed when Lord Shiva thrust his trident into a mountain to extract water so that he could cool his burning throat after swallowing poison. It is believed that once you bathe in this lake, all your sorrows and sins will be washed away.

Although Feb-May and Sept- Nov are the ideal months to trek in the mountains of Nepal, the best time to visit the sacred lake of Gosaikunda is during the full moon around the end of August, when hundreds of Hindu pilgrims take a trip to this lake for the festival of Janai Purnima. The sight of gushing waterfalls, the deep gorges, and the mysterious ravines along with the spectacular view of Ganesh Himal, Manaslu and Annapurna will surely quench your desire for nature and adventure.

 

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