6 Feb 2023 admin
Nepal is not just home to the highest mountains but also boasts beautiful and picturesque lakes in the Himalayan landscape. You may not know, but Nepal is the second richest country. The elegance of lakes in the mountains and mid-hill attract travelers from around the world. Also, over the years, local enthusiast travelers have shown a deep interest in exploring and visiting the beautiful and amazing lakes in Nepal.
The lakes in Nepal at higher altitudes have a religious significance, calling pilgrims from around the world. While some lakes, with their beauty, are among the favorite of their altitude. Other lakes are known for their unique features and spectacular exquisiteness. Needless to say, some lakes in Nepal are well known for their unmatched and notable traits, signing in the world record. The famous five lakes of Nepal are below:
Tilicho Lake
Name Of Lake: Tilicho Lake
Location: Manang
Altitude: 4919m
Area: 4.8 Km Square
Tilicho lake is 55km away from Pokhara, a couple of days of trekking from Pokhara and Kathmandu. The trek starts from Chame, the headquarters of Manang District. The trekking route starts through famous stopping points in the Annapurna region like Chame, Upper Pisang, Manang, Siri Kharka, and Tilicho Base Camp. The trail features meadows, alpine valleys, terraced farmlands, verdant hills, Buddhist shrines, and beautiful mountain villages. You can complete the trek to Tilicho lake in about 10-12 days. The flat-roofed houses and Tibetan-influenced culture are the two distinct rewards this trek has to offer you.
Tilicho Lake lies in the Manang district of Nepal and is the highest lake in the world. It is situated at an altitude of 4,919m and is a prominent landmark in the Annapurna region of Nepal. This fresh Himalayan water lake also serves as the most popular side hike of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Trekkers attempting the classic Annapurna Circuit route take time to Tilicho Lake to embrace its beauty and experience its tranquility. Every year, thousands of trekkers embark on a journey to Tilicho lake.
The best time to explore Tilicho lake is in spring and autumn. It is moderate to difficult trek, ideal for physically fit trekkers. However, novices, as well as experienced trekkers, can do this trek. Your journey to Tilicho lake bestows awe-inspiring views of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Dhaulagiri. Explore pristine Tilicho lake and soak in its beauty, and earn bragging right; yes, you have explored one of the highest lakes in the world.
Rara Lake
Name of Lake: Rara Lake
Location: Mugu & Jumla
Altitude: 2990m
Area: 9.8 km square
Rara, the deepest lake in the Nepal Himalayas, lies at an altitude of 2990 meters located in the Jumla and Mugu districts, it drains into the Mugu Karnali River via the Nijar River. The water of Rara is characterized by high PH and the freshwater is expanded about 5 kilometers in length and 3 kilometers in width. Situated at a high altitude, surrounded by Rara National Park with pine, spruce, and juniper forest, it was enlisted in a Ramsar site in 2007.
Furthermore, it has extraordinary floral and faunal significance with rare species. The lake holds three endemic fish species and one endemic frog. Winter visitor water birds reside and rest at this lake. More basically, the color of Rara lake changes three times a day. Sometimes, it seems to be blue, and sometimes brown and sometimes it seems to be purple and crimson. The scene of Rara becomes enchanting when it mingles with the shadow of the Sinje and Kanjirowa mountains on its water surface.
A place to contemplate and to have tranquillity, Rara is becoming the next target for all visitors all over the world. The number of tourists visiting the Rara lake in western Nepal has increased tremendously. Boating in clear waters, hiking to nearby hills with peculiar views of magnificent mountains and the breathtaking scenes around the lake make every traveler contemplate. The views of the Himalayan peaks intensify the captivation of every trekker.
The perfect time to visit the lake is September/October and April to May. For trekkers, it has been a very renowned destination with a very tough route in Western Nepal. As air is the only mode of transportation for the tourists visiting the lake, the journey begins with a flight from Nepalgunj to Jufal from where it takes nearly 2 to 3 hours to reach Rara on foot.
Gosaikunda Lake
Name Of Lake: Gosaikunda lake
Location: Rasuwa
Altitude: 4380m
Area: 1.5km Square
Gosaikunda lake is a freshwater lake situated in the Langtang National Park of Rasuwa District at an elevation of 4380m(14,370ft) above sea level which comprises about 10,30ha (2500 acres) of total land surface including all the associated lakes. It was also enlisted as a Ramsar site, Wetlands of International Importance on the 29th of September,2007. There are about 108 lakes in that area. The lake remains frozen for about six months from October to June then melts to form the Trisuli river.
Bearing some of the most prime religious values, Gosaikunda is an attraction for thousands of Hindu devote & pilgrims following the Hindu religion in Nepal and India during a few famous occasions like Janai Purnima and Gangadashara. Ancient stories like Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, and epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata precisely refer to Samundra Manthan which is directly associated with the origin of the holy Gosaikunda Lake. Intending to reach Gosaikunda, one needs to take a drive from Kathmandu to the trailhead of Gosainkunda, Dhunche(102km) with an estimated time of 5-7 hours via bus and stay a night there to continue the next day.
Phoksundo Lake
Name of the lake: Phoksundo Lake
Location: Dolpo
Altitude: 3615m
Phoksundo lake is the deepest lake in Nepal which is situated in the Dolpo district and is elevated at 3615m. This lake can be visited while you are trekking in the Dolpo region. You can experience the insightful lifestyle of people around this region while you are trekking in the Dolpo region.
There’s a village on the southern end of the lake of Ringmo sitting on the 30,000-year-old landslide dam which formed the lake. There are stupas around the southern part of the lake. The lake is considered a sacred site due to which swimming in the lake is prohibited. While trekking to this Lake you can experience the traditional Tibetan culture, Buddhist monasteries, waterfalls, and rare Himalayan flora and fauna.
Gokyo Lake
Name Of Lake: Gokyo Lake
Location: Solukhumbu
Altitude: 4700-5000m
Gokyo lakes are located at an altitude of 4,700–5,000 m above sea level. Lakes are named after Gokyo Ri peak. These lakes are the world’s highest freshwater lake system comprising six main lakes, of which is the largest. In September 2007, Gokyo and associated wetlands have been designated a Ramsar site.
Gokyo Cho, also called Dudh Pokhari, is the main lake with an area of 106 acres, and the village of Gokyo lies on its eastern shore. The Gokyo lake system is naturally vulnerable, as it is lying in an ecologically fragile and unstable zone. The outburst of the Ngozumpa glacier is always a threat to the existence of the lakes.
The Gokyo Lakes are considered sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists. About 500 Hindus take a holy bath in the lakes during the Janai Purnima Festival which usually occurs in the month of August. On average 7,000 tourists annually visit the Gokyo Lakes. The site is worshipped as the residing place of ‘Nag Devata’ (Snake God); a temple of the Hindu deities Lords Vishnu and shivas situated at the western corner of the lake. The belief that birds and wildlife in the area should not be harmed has traditionally protected fauna and flora.