Lakes of Nepal
Birendra Lake
Locally referred to as Birendra Taal (Lake), its freshwaters are from the Manaslu glacier in the Gorkha district. Its vicinity is known as Samagaun and is near Punhyen glacier and gompa (monastery). To reach this heavenly destination, one must embark on the trails of Manaslu.
The main trek is a 13-day journey with a few additional days added to it by your trekking agency for sightseeing in Kathmandu. The region has plenty to offer for an explorer, but the strict regulations make it troublesome. Thus, many opt for Annapurna's circuit instead.
The trek begins around Soti Khola. The drive is around 8/9 hours. After which, daily trekking time average around 6 hours to Samagaun. A day of site seeing and acclimatisation later, the trek to Samdo begins. Another day for acclimatisation is added as the journey further peaks at 5135m while traversing through Larkya La Pass.
The final destination is Syange. After which, it's a 7/8 hour drive to Kathmandu. This trek offers more than just a chance to see Birendra lake. An excellent panoramic view of the Himalayas awaits you at Larkya La.
Peaks such as Himal Chuli (7193m), Ngadi Chuli (7893m), Mt. Manaslu (8163m) and Manaslu North(7157m) and Shringi Himal (7187m) are the highlights of this trek.
Rara
The mystic and calm waters of Rara has been the calling for adventures for countless years. It is a bucket list destination for many Nepalese due to its popularity. The lake is in the district of Mugu. The closest airport is Jumla or Talcha airport, which is accessible through a flight from Nepalgunj. The main trek begins at Jumla airport and ranges from 2 to 3 days. Whereas from Talcha, it is a few hours walk.
The neighbouring dense green hills are home to several rare species of birds and animals. The national park established in 1976 protects these alpine and sub-alpine ranges along with the wetlands. It is the largest lake in Nepal and lies at 2,990 m.
A journey to this region is recommended from April to May (Spring) and September to November (Autumn).
Fun Fact! The lake is widely popular due to its ability to change colours into various shades during the daytime.
Shey Phoksundo
The turquoise water of this magnificent lake at golden hours is hard to describe. Sitting by it with the distant sound of a waterfall under an open blue sky is an experience straight out of heaven. The Phoksundo lake is within Shey Phoksundo National Park, the largest and only trans-Himalayan protected area of Nepal. On the southern end of the lake lies the village of Ringmo on top of a landslide dam created 30-40,000 years ago.
This body of water lies at an elevation of 3,660 m (12,010 ft). Surrounded by glaciers in its upper range, it is famous for its magnificent turquoise colour. Near the lake's outlet is the country's highest waterfall. The trek to this part of Nepal is strenuous, but the reward is an experience worth multiple lifetimes. The trip offers landscapes beyond words. Getting to experience the lifestyle of the ethnic community is a bonus.
The region is best visited between March to May (Spring) and September to November (Autumn). The closest airport is Juphal airport in Dolpa. The far-western region of Nepal is only accessible through the airport in Nepalgunj. The main trek ranges from 4-5 days to Ringmo. By road, the journey includes a 24-25 hour bus ride from Kathmandu to Radi Bazar.
In the next part of this article, we shall discover the lakes of Tsho Rolpa, Rupa, Gokyo and Tilicho.