More than water, more than blue surfaces beneath the blue skies, more than glacial basins, and more than just a trekking destination, the Lakes in Nepal have always held a deeper meaning for the people of the country. They have been part of oral histories and royal journeys. They are also the mother of many rivers. From performing rites at the lakes to taking cattle for bathing, lakes have been an integral part of people’s lives. While not every lake is sacred, not every rake is historical, and not every lake is accessible, we cannot simply deny Lake’s involvement in mythology and local livelihood.
This deep historical and religious significance is what makes the lake treks in Nepal unique. So, trekking to these lakes is not just about the physical journey. It’s also about the cultural and spiritual understanding. Nepal is home to more than 5,000 lakes, of which approximately 2,300 are glacial lakes and many are riverine lakes. Many os such lakes are located in high-altitude regions, which are ideally suited for going on a trek. But, where should one go out of all these lakes? This article provides you with a list of the five best Lake treks in Nepal.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Best Lake Treks in Nepal
Gokyo Lake Treks
- Region: Everest Region (Solukhumbu)
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- Maximum Altitude: 5,357m (Gokyo Ri)
- Starting Point: Lukla (2,860 m)
- Estimated Cost: USD 1,100 to USD 1,350 per person
Gokyo Lake Treks is in the Everest Region and partly follows the same trail as the classical Everest Base Camp Route till Mong-La, from where you could take an Everest Base Camp Trek if you take the right. It takes 11 to 14 days to complete the entire Gokyo Lake Trek, depending on your pace and fitness.
Upon reaching the Gokyo Village, you will stay there for a day to explore the lakes and Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) and Gokyo Lakes, which are between 4,700 meters and 5,000 meters. Gokyo Ri offers a 360-degree view of four of the eight highest mountains, including Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and Lhotse. You can also witness the Gokyo Valley, Gokyo Lakes, and the varied landscape of the Sagarmatha National Park from Gokyo Ri.
Best Trekking Agency for Gokyo Trek
Recently got back from an intended trek to the Renjo La Pass which was organized by Harka Gurung at Himalaya Trip.
I must say Harka did a 1st class job in arranging our trek and was very quick to respond to all of our emails (I must have sent him a million emails covering every possible concern imaginable and he patiently replied to all of them addressing my concerns/questions!!).
On the trek we were assigned Jay as our guide and Dil as our porter – two great chaps who were tremendous company during our stay in the Everest region and really ensured our trip went smoothly. Jay was a responsible guide who, when I got some altitude sickness took the wise decision to wait it out for a day to acclimatise. This meant our trip could continue as normal once the symptoms dissipated.
Be warned we saw some trekking agencies taking stupid risks with their clients by going up 800+ meters in a day only to have to come straight back down during the night as both the client and guide got altitude sickness. Thankfully we were blessed with intelligent and caring guide/trekking firm which actually had the best interests of their clients in mind meaning we were kept safe during our visit.
Before we arrived for our trek, there was heavy snow in Nepal which meant the Renjo Pass was covered in 3m meters of snow making it inaccessible. Harka/ Jay were very flexible and adapted our itinerary in order to ensure we still managed to see a great deal and thanks to Harka’s foresight, he asked us to bring crampons and ice axes with us which meant we could summit to the top of Gokyo Ri for absolutely stunning panoramic views of Everest and the top of the world.
In short, I highly recommend Himalaya Trip and the next time I visit Nepal I will be sure to utilize them for my trek.
UK, March 2015
Incredible Renjo La Pass Trek!!!
With a plethora of trekking companies offering services in Kathmandu, sorting through them and deciding on a quality trekking company can be difficult. Luckily for us, Himalaya Trip is already known to one member of our group. With familiarity of the company and knowledge of the quality service they offer, we began our preparation of our trek about 6 months before our planned trek dates of early April 2018. Himalaya Trip is a family business. Our lead guide, Hari, is one of the brothers in the family business. Hari was as friendly as anyone could be. He constantly had a smile on his face, and really demonstrated his problem solving ability when the airline we were flying on would not allow my brother board our KTM bound flight from Hong Kong due to his passport had an expiration date less than 6 months from our travel date. Hari coordinated with Nepal Immigration at KTM as well as the airline service desk, and was able to resolve the issue for us. Kudos to Hari right from the beginning! Through out our 11-day trek, which culminated with our reaching the top of Renjo La Pass at 5360m on day 9, Hari and his crew of one assistant guide and 3 porters made our trek an unforgettable experience. Trekking at high altitude in the Himalayas is a physically demanding endeavor. As such, you are the best judge of whether you are physically capable of doing something like that. That being said, hiring a professional trekking company like Hari and his crew will ensure a successful and memorable experience of a lifetime! I highly recommend Himalaya Trip for your Nepal trekking adventures. In fact, we are heading back to Nepal this December for another trek with Hari and his crew.
USA, April 2018
Amazing Gokyo Trip
We had the pleasure to hike through Gokyo Valley and up to Gokyo Ri with our guide Hari and our porter Bikash, who both not only did a great job but really became our friends along the way. The trek was extremely well planned and we felt very well cared for, with all our needs and wishes immediately catered for. Hari even made it possible to spontaneously adapt our route so that we could cross the Renjo La Pass and hike back through the neighboring valley.
When planning the trip from home, Harka was very helpful and always replied immediately to E-mails. We absolutely recommend this company!
Switzearland, March 2019
Gokyo Ri and Renjo La Pass circuit- excellent company, guide and porter.
My father and I recently went on a 12 day trek with Himalaya Trip. We met Harka the day after we arrived, showing and telling what we would be doing. He had organised the trek whilst we were still in Australia very well, and we were both easily able to understand what the trek would entail. Nauser our guide and Parksh our porter were excellent. Both very friendly and very knowledgeable about the surrounds and trek itself. I am hoping to come back to Nepal for a trek in the next 2 years and would certainly choose this company and the guide and porter we had – Nauser/Parksh. They were fantastic, I would highly recommend.
Australia, May 2019
Review About Gokyo Lake Trek
My partner’s no stranger to the services provided by Himalaya Trip and for good reason. This is his second time trekking with them and my first. The team were a pleasant and adaptable group who ensured we had the best experience possible. Harka, our organiser, did a great job at mapping out our itinerary and keeping us prepared and informed throughout our trip to Gokyo and we extend that thanks to Jay for his assistance before the start of this trek. We commend our lovely guide, Ramesh, whose support and dedication were deeply appreciated especially for a beginner trekker. Our porter, Dill, was a delightful companion, but unfortunately, had fallen slightly ill during the trek. After reaching one of our stops, Ramesh made the journey to retrieve our baggage from where our porter had to stop. We were impressed by the effort he made to do this all after a days trekking and as it was getting dark. Another porter, Depak, was quickly organised. Despite the short notice, he promptly made his way to Namche from Lukla to trek with us and luckily our trip went on.
We were well looked after on this trek. Even as I grew tired and a bit sick, the team remained supportive and their care and encouragement helped me endure. The views were beautiful and unforgettable. The lakes at Gokyo were as stunning as the mountains around us. I felt grateful to have shared this experience with our little family as Ramesh had called us. It was a hard good bye but I’m sure we’ll return.
Australia, Oct 2023Returning from this vantage point, you can explore the Gokyo Lakes. There are 19 lakes in the Gokyo Lake System. However, the six main lakes are Dudh Pokhari (also known as Gokyo Cho), Thonak Cho, Gyazumpa Cho, Ngojumba Cho, Kyajumba Cho, and Tanjung Cho. Dudh Pokhari is considered sacred, as many devotees visit the lake during the Janai Purnima, which falls in August, to bathe in the lake. It is said that bathing in this holy water washes away sins and purifies your soul.
Gokyo Lakes Trek
11 Days
Adventure Treks
USD1,149 per person
Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek
15 Days
Adventure Treks
USD1,249 per person
Tilicho Lake Trek
- Region: Annapurna Region (Manang)
- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
- Maximum Altitude: 4,919m (Tilicho Lake)
- Starting Point: Besisahar (760 m) or Chame (2,650 m)
- Estimated Cost: USD 750 to USD 900 per person (with Annapurna Circuit Trek combined)
Tilicho Lake (4,919 m) was the highest lake in Nepal till the discovery of Kajin Sara Lake (5,020 m). It is located in the Manang district of the Annapurna. You can combine the Annapurna Circuit Trek with the Tilicho Trek to call it Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake Trek rather than doing it independently, as the Tilicho Lake is a 3-day side trek from the Annapurna Circuit main Trail. The advantage is that Tilicho Lake can be visited, cross Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), and visit Muktinath temple simultaneously. After acclimatizing at Manang, you will head towards Sri Kharka and Tilicho Lake Base Camp before visiting the icy-blue waters of Tilicho Lake.
Annapurna Circuit Trek With Tilicho Lake
12 Days
Trekking
USD749 per person
Tilicho Lake is a glacial lake surrounded by mountains such as Khangsar, Muktinath Peak, Nilgiri, and Tilicho. Like many other lakes, it also has religious significance. Many believe that it is the same Kak Bhusundi Lake mentioned in the epics of the Ramayana. So, taking the Tilicho Lake Trek will provide you with a high-altitude adventure and cultural significance. If you combine it with the Annapurna Circuit Trek, it will take more than 12 days to complete the trek. However, if you want to do it independently, it will take about 6 to 7 days to complete and get back to Kathmandu.
Gosaikunda Lake Trek
- Region: Langtang Region (Rasuwa)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Maximum Altitude: 4,380m (Gosaikunda Lake)
- Starting Point: Sundarijal (1,350 m) or Syabrubesi (1,460 m)
- Estimated Cost: USD 700 to USD 800 (with Langtang combined)
If there is any Lake with much religious significance, it has to be Gosaikunda Lake of the Rasuwa district. Both Hindus and Buddhists revere it. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva swallowed the poison during Samundra Manthan (the churning of the ocean). His throat started to burn, and in his quest for thirst, he pierced his trident into the ground. Thus, the Gosaikunda Lake came into existence. So, Hindus believe it to be Shiva’s abode, and bathing here purifies their souls.
For Buddhists, it is where Guru Rinpoche meditated about 600 years ago. Buddhists visit this lake to pay respects to the memory of their deceased loved ones. So, Gosaikunda Lake is also a symbol of the religious diversity in Nepal. It is said there are about 108 lakes in the vicinity. Besides, it is also the originating point for the Trishuli River.
The trek to Gosakinda either starts at Syaburbesi, which is also the starting point for the Langatng Trek, or it can start from the Sundarijal of Kathmandu. If you also want to take the Langtang Valley Trek along with the Gosaikunda Trek, you can take this route. Otherwise, you can start at Sundarijal and take the same route back. Throughout the trek, you will be treated to the alpine scenery and pass through pastures, and the Langtang Mountain range will be in sight. You can visit monasteries and peek inside the Tamang and Sherpa culture while on this trek.
Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek
- Region: Dolpa District (Far-West Nepal)
- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
- Maximum Altitude: 3,611m (Phoksundo Lake)
- Starting Point: Dunai (2,103 m)
- Estimated Cost: USD 2,200 to USD 2,400 per person (when Lower Dolpo Trek is combined)
The Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek is often combined with either the Upper Dolpo Trek or Lower Dolpo Trek, as both treks pass through this turquoise lake. It is the deepest lake in Nepal, and unlike other high-altitude lakes, it is a riverine lake, which means it is fed by streams. It is situated inside the Shey Phoksundo National Park. It lies near the Bon and Tibetan Buddhist villages of the Dolpa district and hence has a Buddhist religious significance. Pilgrims from the villages around Phoksundo Lake offer prayers and perform rites. There are 20 stupas in the northern belt and one Gompa in the south.
The Phoksundo Trek starts from the Dunai after you fly from Jhupal. If you only take the Phoksuno Lake Trek, it takes about 7 to 9 days to complete. Otherwise, it takes about 18 to 22 days to complete, depending on whether you trekked to Upper Dolpo or Lower Dolpo. Besides the azure lake in the laps of hills, the other highlight of the trek is the Tibetan-influenced villages like Ringo and Shey. You can also visit multiple monasteries while trekking. The two great Himalayas of Nepal, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, are seen from the trail, making it a Himalayan Trek as well.
Rara Lake Trek
- Region: Mugu District (Far-Western Nepal)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Maximum Altitude: 2,990m (Rara Lake)
- Starting Point: Jumla (2,540 m)
- Estimated Cost: USD 1,000 to USD 1,500 (depends on itinerary)
Rara Lake is called the “queen of the lakes” in Nepal. Its beauty is so mesmerizing that King Mahendra of Nepal was astonished by it and wrote a poem called “Rara ki Apsara” (Celestial Maiden of Rara). In his poem, he compared the Rara with the heavenly maiden. Since his visit to Rara, it has also been known as ‘Mahendra Tal.’ It is also the largest freshwater lake in the country.
The trek is located inside the Rara National Park, the smallest National park in the country. Rara Lake is not just about the azure waters beneath the hills; it is also about the varied flora and fauna found in the vicinity. There are about 214 species of birds around the lake, as well as endemic animals like the Nepalese Snowtrout, Rara Snowtrout, and Rara Lake frog.
Rara Lake starts from Jumla and passes through the Sinja Valley of Nepal. It is considered to be the birthplace of the Nepalese Language. You have to fly to Jumla to get there, but there are multiple other routes. For example, you can fly to Talcha Airport and start the trek from there. Depending on the itinerary, you can complete the entire trek anywhere from 10 to 15 days. Since not many trekkers visit this Lake, it offers solitude through the pine forests. You can spend a day at Rara Lake and camp there for a night. It is also less strenuous and easier to trek for beginners.
Comparing the Best Lake Treks
Here is a brief table that compares all the best lake treks in Nepal. This shall help you grasp the quick idea of what you will be signing for, if you decide to take any of these treks:
| Trek Name (Region) | Max Altitude | Duration (Days) | Difficulty | Estimated Cost (USD) | Key Highlight |
| Gokyo Lake (Everest) | 5,357 m | 11–14 | Moderate–Challenging | 1,100–1,350 | Offers a panoramic view of four 8,000-meter peaks and a serene exploration of Nepal’s largest glacial lake system. |
| Tilicho Lake (Annapurna) | 4,919 m | 6–7 (solo) / 12+ (combined with ACT) | Moderate–Strenuous | 750–900 | Combines the thrill of high-altitude trekking with spiritual legends from the Ramayana and the challenge of Thorong La Pass. |
| Gosaikunda Lake (Langtang) | 4,380 m | 5–10 | Moderate | 700–800 | A sacred alpine pilgrimage site believed to be created by Lord Shiva, surrounded by myth, mountains, and Tamang culture. |
| Shey Phoksundo (Dolpa) | 3,611 m | 7–9 (solo) / 18–22 (combined with Langtang) | Moderate–Strenuous | 2,200–2,400 | Nepal’s deepest and bluest lake is located in a remote Buddhist region with striking landscapes and spiritual serenity. |
| Rara Lake (Mugu) | 2,990 m | 10–15 | Moderate | 1,000–1,500 | Known as the ‘Queen of Lakes,’ this trek leads to Nepal’s largest freshwater lake, rich in natural beauty and poetic charm. |
