Want to know about the highest lakes in Nepal? You have come to the right place. Here, we will be sharing information on some of the highest lakes in the country. So make sure you stay with us until the end!
Nepal is the land of the Himalayas. The snow from these giant peaks melts and gives birth to thousands of rivers and lakes. There are over 6,000 rivers and 5,300 lakes in the country. Out of 5,300 lakes, 2,323 are glacial lakes and 3,252 glaciers. Most of these marvels of nature lie in the high altitude and remote location of the country. Moreover, these lakes sit in secluded areas. Hence, stunning mountains, hills, flora, and fauna surround them.
There are numerous exquisite high lakes in Nepal. Thousands of trekkers travel to these lakes annually. The trails leading to these lakes are full of adventure, a tranquil atmosphere, and mesmerizing scenery. These lakes are far from urban modernization. Therefore, exploring these natural marvels allows you to connect with the raw nature of the country. To simplify your search for the top-highest lakes in Nepal, we have shortlisted the top five. So, without further delay, let us dive more into these high lakes!
Table of Contents
Top 5 Highest Lakes in Nepal
Kajin Sara Lake
Kajin Sara Lake is the highest lake in Nepal, as it sits at an altitude of 5,200 meters. The lake was only discovered recently in 2019 by a group of mountaineers. Previously, Tilicho held the crown for the highest lake in the country. In addition to being the highest lake in the country, Kajin Sara is also among some of the highest lakes in the world.
The lake lies in the Chame rural municipality in the Manang district. It is truly a hidden gem of the country that was only discovered recently. It lies in an isolated area of the Annapurna region, so it remains untouched and unspoiled from modernization. You can witness the stunning view of Mount Manaslu, Annapurna, Damodar, Lamjung, and other surrounding peaks from the lake.
Kajin Sara Lake is 1500 meters long and 600 meters wide. It is 24 km from the village of Chame. So, you have to drive up to Besisahar and then trek to Chame and the lake. It usually takes 3 to 4 days to get there. Kajin Sara is the highest and one of the most pristine lakes in Nepal.
Rara Lake
Rara is the largest and deepest lake in Nepal. It lies in the Mugu district of Karnali province at an altitude of 2,990 meters. Hence, it is one of the highest lakes. Rara Lake is a popular trek destination for adventurers and naturalists. Many travel here for a tranquil escape as the lake offers a calm and soothing atmosphere.
The Rara Lake is within the pristine Rara National Park, the smallest national park in Nepal. However, diverse and rare Himalayan flora and fauna inhabit the national park. Diverse flora and fauna, including 236 bird species, live around the lake. The oligotrophic freshwater lake covers 10.61 sq km of surface area. Similarly, it is 5.1 km long and 2.7 km wide. Rara Lake’s unique feature is changing colors up to five times a day depending on the weather and temperature.
Rara Lake is situated in a remote area. Picturesque green hills and forests surround the lake. Rara also has religious and cultural significance. Thakur Baba’s Temple is on the southeast side of the lake. To access Rara Lake, you must fly or drive to Nepalgunj and take another flight to Jumla or Talcha Airport. Then, you will have to trek to the lake. Its soothing atmosphere and diverse terrains have made it a popular trek destination.
Tilicho Lake
Tilicho Lake is Nepal’s second-highest lake. It used to be the country’s highest lake, but it was overtaken by Kajin Sara Lake in 2019. The glacial lake is 4,919 meters high and lies in the Manang district of Gandaki province. It is still the lake with the longest diameter in the country. Tilicho Lake has a length of 4 km and a width of 1.2 km. Despite its beautiful look, the lake has no aquatic organisms due to its high altitude.
There are no water sources in Tilicho Lake and no designated routes for the lake’s water. Thus, the lake stays within the lake. The beautiful snow-capped mountains surround the lake. Most trekkers often take side trips to Tilicho Lake during the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The lake’s silvery and shiny surface, calming atmosphere, and stunning surroundings make it a popular trek destination.
In 2000, Russian diving teams performed the highest-ever altitude scuba diving in Tilicho Lake. The lake also has religious significance for Hindu devotees. They believe Tilicho is the epic Ramayana’s ancient Kak Bhusundi Lake. The lake is 55 kilometers from the Pokhara city.
Gokyo Lakes
The Gokyo Lakes are the highest freshwater system in the world. It lies in the Khumbu region of Solukhumbu district. Gokyo Lakes are oligotrophic freshwater lakes and consist of 19 lakes. The lakes are scattered from an elevation of 4,700 to 5,000 meters above sea level. Likewise, the entire lake system covers an area of 196.2 ha.
Among the 19 lakes in the Gokyo Lake System, six are glacial lakes. These glacial lakes include Gokyo Cho, Gyazumpa Cho, Ngojumba Cho, Thonak Cho, Tanjung Cho, and Longponga. The largest lake in the system is the Thonak Cho. Gokyo Lakes has some of the most mesmerizing turquoise and crystal-clear waters. Additionally, some of the tallest mountains in the world surround the lake and heighten the lake’s beauty.
Gokyo Lakes is religiously significant to Hindus and Buddhists. Hindus believe the lake to be a holku abode of Nag Devata (Snake God). There is also a temple of Hindu gods, Shiva and Vishnu, on the lake’s western side. The serene views and adventurous trails to the Gokyo Lake Systems have captured the interests of many trek enthusiasts, adventurers, and photographers. Hence, the Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Lake Trekking have recently gained popularity.
Gosaikunda Lake
The holy Gosaikunda Lake sits at an elevation of 4,380 meters above sea level. It is an alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake in Rasuwa District. The lake lies within the Langtang National Park. Similarly, it covers an area of 13.8 ha. The surrounding area of the Gosaikunda Lake has 108 kundas or lakes.
The Gosaikunda Lake is one of the most sacred lakes of Nepal. It has cultural and religious significance for Hindus and Buddhists. There is a Hindu myth about the formation of the Gosaikunda Lake. According to the myth, Lord Shiva created the lake with his trident to quench his thirst from the poison he drank during Samundra Manthan. Hindus also believe that Lord Shiva and Parvati reside in the lake. Therefore, thousands of devotees visit the lake annually, especially during Janai Purnima. They dip in the lake and cleanse their sins.
Gosaikunda Lake remains frozen for half of the year. The high mountain pass of Lauribina La lies just on the outskirts of the lake. The lake sits amid the green hills and carpet-like meadows. Trek to the Gosaikunda is an adventurous and spiritual journey. Moreover, it is easily accessible from the capital city of Kathmandu. There are trek packages like Gosaikunda Trekking, Langtang Vallery Trek with Gosaikunda, etc., where trekkers can join to reach this high lake.
Challenges of High Lakes in Nepal
These stunning high lakes in Nepal are situated at high altitudes and in remote areas. However, they face many challenges that put these lakes at risk. These challenges are not only dangerous to the lakes but also to the ecosystem and surroundings. Take a look at the challenges of high lakes in Nepal:
Climate change
Global warming is causing climate change. It has become a threat and risk outburst of many glacial lakes. Rising temperatures are accelerating glacier melting at an incredible speed. As a result, these glacial lakes are at risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The lakes can burst out from their dams due to overflow. It can cause massive damage to the ecosystem and human settlements.
Climate change also causes unpredictable weather changes and rainfall patterns. While most high-altitude lakes are in danger of outbursts, some are at risk of shrinking. It also affects the local ecosystem and water supplies. The water from the lakes is the life and blood of many villages and agricultural regions.
Environment degradation
Another challenge of high lakes in Nepal is environmental degradation. Most lakes are home to numerous unique and rare biodiversity. The lack of proper waste management is the main reason for environmental degradation. Pollution and littering around the lakes affect the purity of the water. It also affects the fragile balance of the ecosystem of the lakes and harms it. Human activities also negatively impact nature. Activities like deforestation, infrastructure building, road construction, overgrazing, etc., destroy biodiversity habitats and cause soil erosion causing landslides.
Natural calamities
High-altitude lakes are prone to avalanches and landslides. Heavy snow or rainfall can cause the lakes to overflow or burst, leading to massive and catastrophic landslides. Nepal is a seismically active region. Thus, it is vulnerable to earthquakes. It can collapse the dams that hold back the glacial lakes and cause landslides. Similarly, earthquakes can also trigger glacial lake outburst floods. Floods and landslides can hugely affect the surrounding areas. It also causes massive damage to settlements and ecosystems. Hence, natural calamities are a challenge for high-altitude lakes in Nepal.
Overtourism
Another challenge faced by high lakes in Nepal is over-tourism. Nepal’s trekking and tourism industry has seen a huge spike in recent years. As a result, newer trek destinations and routes are becoming more accessible than before. The beautiful high lakes are also some of the sought-after trekking destinations in the country. It especially gets crowded during the peak trekking season, i.e., spring and autumn. Overcrowding affects the raw nature and its delicate balance. It can ruin the natural beauty of the pristine trekking trails and the lakes. Although conservation efforts from the government as well as locals are being made, the lack of resources makes it harder to implement them.
Conclusion
There are many high-altitude lakes in Nepal. Most of them sit at remote locations and have unparalleled beauty. The lakes on our list are the top five highest lakes in Nepal. Accessing these lakes is not an easy venture. You must overcome the challenging trekking trails, weather, and other trails to reach these wonders of nature. However, the challenging venture is worth the effort. You will get to bask in the serene and soothing atmosphere of the lake and enjoy magnificent sceneries.
Most lakes have a religious connection with the locals and people of the country. There are local myths and stories related to them. However, these beautiful high lakes are also prone to various challenges. Global warming and climate change are the top threats to them. We must do our part to conserve these beautiful lakes. During your journey, avoid littering and try to leave no trace other than your footprints.
