Statewise List of Lakes In North-East India
North-East India is a hidden gem, and it is one of the most remote areas in the country. Due to the harsh terrain, most travel enthusiasts avoid visiting the region, yet it has a lot to offer when explored thoroughly. The area comprises seven states collectively known as the Seven Sisters, and with Sikkim, the count goes to eight. North-East is a heavily forested area not only in India but also in the entire world and hosts the highest tribal population found anywhere in the country. The north-east states are blessed with some of the most beautiful creations of nature like hills, waterfalls, lakes, and wildlife sanctuary. In this article, I will be sharing the list of lakes in North East India. Lakes are one of the best creations of nature, and almost all the North-East Indian states have at least one lake acting as a significant tourist attraction. Lakes are in abundance in North-East India, and with proper guidance and information, one can explore these lakes while planning a trip to north-east.
Also Read: A Sixty Days Solo Ride To North-East India
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Why Should One Visit Lakes In North-East India?
In India, lakes are found in abundance. Almost all the Indian states have one or more lakes, and the same holds for north-east states. Thousands of visitors often visit lakes like Dal Lake in Jammu & Kashmir, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri in Ladakh, and Vembanad lake in Kerala. While there is plenty of information about lakes from the Indian mainland, there is less info available for lakes in North-East India. In reality, the lakes of north-east India offer much more scenic beauty and are less crowded than other lakes found in India. The lakes in this region are rich in wildlife and a perfect spot for bird lovers and bird photography. Moreover, the lakes in North-East hosts records like highest lakes in India, a lake with floating national park, and lake tourists can visit after crossing the international border. In a nutshell, anyone planning to visit north-east India must consider visiting these lakes and experience their natural beauty.
List of Lakes Found in North-East India
The best way to list the lakes in north-east India is to list them according to the state they are situated in.
List of Lakes In Assam
Assam is one of the important states in north-east India and acts as a gateway for the rest of the region. While the majority of Assam lies on plains of Brahmaputra River, the hills of southern Assam hosts a few lakes. The lakes in Assam which tourists can visit are:
Also Read: Places To Visit In Guwahati: Gateway To North-East India
Dipor Bil Or Dipor Beel Lake: Dipor Bil lake is a freshwater lake situated close to Guwahati city. It is one of the largest lakes located in the flood plains of Brahmaputra River. Spread over an area of 15 Square Kilometers, Dipor Bil is home to a variety of Marine Animals and Plants. The lake also acts as a tourist destination for the inhabitants of Guwahati city, especially for bird watching. Dipor Bil is 20 kilometers from the main town and can be visited at any time of the day.
Haflong Lake: Haflong lake is a small lake in Haflong town in Dima Hasao District of Assam. Haflong is also the district headquarter of Dima Hasao district, and the city is also known as the only hill station in Assam. Although the lake’s condition is not good due to dependency on the lake for water, it is worth visiting places while visiting Haflong. Haflong town is famous for its scenic hills and railway route connecting Haflong to other parts of Assam.
Also Read: A Day In Haflong, The Hill Station of Assam
How To Reach Haflong Lake: Haflong Lake lies 330 kilometers from the state capital Guwahati. Travelers planning to visit Haflong can rely either on the railways or road. The road connecting Haflong to Guwahati is also known as Lumding-Maibang-Haflong Highway (NH27), and it is one of the best highways in north-east India.
Son Bil Lake: Son Beel lake is another lake situated in Karimganj district of Assam. Son Bil Lake is a wetland, and it is the largest wetland in India and the second largest in Asia. The lake lies in southern Assam, 150 kilometers from Haflong Lake, and 30 kilometers from Karimganj. Due to its remote location, it is mostly visited by locals of the region.
How to Reach Son Bil Lake: Son Bil lake is accessible via both railways and roads. The nearest railway station is Karimganj Railway Station. Son Bil lake lies 330 kilometers from Guwahati and is accessible via Guwahati-> Shillong-> Jowai-> Karimganj route or the Guwahati-> Haflong->Karimganj route.
Also Read: Bike Ride To Sach Pass: Toughest Road In India
Umrangso Lake: The Umrangsao lake lies in the Dima Hasao district of Assam near the Assam-Meghalaya State Border. Umrangso lake is also known as Neepco Lake, and it is close to the Khandong Dam on the Kopili River. Tourists from other parts of India hardly visit the lake due to its remoteness from Guwahati. What makes Umrangso a special place to visit is because there are two lakes situated close to each other. The natural Umrangso lake and man-made Khandong Dam reservoir.
How to reach Umrangso: Umrangso is accessible via road. One can reach Umrangso from Guwahati via two routes. One route is Guwahati-> Nagaon-> Lanka-> Amreng-> Umrangso. While the second route is Guwahati-> Shillong-> Jowai-> Umrangso.
List of Lakes in Meghalaya
Meghalaya receives the highest rainfall in India and the entire world, giving it sobriquet “Abode of Cloud.” Meghalaya is known for its serene waterfalls and hills. While Meghalaya receives enormous rain, the state lacks lakes, as found in other states in the region. The lake in Meghalaya is:
Also Read: Trek To Rainbow Waterfall In Meghalaya
Umiam Lake: Umiam Lake is primarily a reservoir formed by dam construction on the Umiam River. Umiam Lake is a man-made lake built in the early 1960s. The lake is a popular tourist attraction for residents of Meghalaya and Assam, as it is easily accessible from both the states. Situated amidst hills Khasi hills, Umiam Lake is famous for water sports, adventure activities, and boating. Umiam Lake is a must-visit lake for any traveler visiting north-east India.
How to Reach Umiam Lake: As mentioned, Umiam lake lies 20 kilometers from Shillong and 80 kilometers from Guwahati on the road connecting both the capital cities. The Guwahati-Shillong highway is also known as National Highway 6, and it is one of the best highways in north-east India.
List of Lakes in Tripura
Tripura is the smallest state among seven sisters, yet blessed with the finest lake one can find in North-East India. Like most northeastern states, the majority of Tripura is under a dense cover of hills and forests, yet it hosts one of the biggest lakes of north-east India. Lakes tourist can visit in Tripura include:
Also Read: A Boat Ride to Chabimura In Tripura
Damboor Lake: Damboor lake is the second largest lake in entier north-east India and largest in Tripura. The lake lies in the Gomati district of Tripura near the town of Amarpur. The lake derives its name from Damboor (small drum), a musical instrument used by Lord Shiva. The lake is enormous and looks like the ocean from its starting point. Damboor Lake is also the source of Gomati River, the longest river in Tripura. Every year on Makar Sankranti, i.e., 14th January, the festival of Tirthamukh is celebrated at the Lake. At the lake’s center, there is an island called “Narkel Kunja,” or the coconut island and state tourism department is planning to build a tourist rest house to promote tourism.
How to Reach Damboor Lake: Damboor Lake is easily accessible from the state capital Agartala. It is 100 kilometers from Agartala on the Agartala-Udaipur-Amarpur route. The nearest big town from Damboor lake is Amarpur, which is well connected to Tripura’s other cities.
Rudrasagar Lake: The Rudrasagar Lake lies in Melaghar in Sipahijala district of Tripura. Rudrasagar Lake is not a large compared with Damboor lake, but it is known for Neer Mahal, situated in the middle of the lake. Neer Mahal is the largest palace in India situated amidst a lake and is a popular tourist destination of Tripura. Rudrasagar Lake is also a popular bird watching and photography point.
How To Reach Rudrasagar Lake: Rudrasagar lake is 50 kilometers from the state capital Agartala, and well connected to Tripura’s major cities via road. Udaipur, the second-largest city in Tripura, also lies only 25 kilometers from Rudrasagar Lake and connected via railways to Agartala.
Also Read: Bike Ride To Chanshal Pass In Winter
List of Lakes in Mizoram
Mizoram means the land of Miro People, and it is the far eastern state among all the northeastern states of India. Forest and hills cover about 90% of the state area. Lakes in Mizoram are:
Also Read: Exploring Aizwal, Capital of Mizo Hills
Tam Dil Lake: Tam Dil Lake is a small lake near the town of Saitual in Aizwal district. In Mizo language, Tam means Mustard Plant, and Dil means lake; thus, it is also called the Mustard Plant Lake. Tam Dil lake is part of Mizo Folklore, and the water in the lake resembles mustard color justifying the name. For travelers visiting Mizoram, Tam Dil lake provides the best option of visiting a lake in Mizoram as other lakes are not easily accessible. There is a tourist rest house by Mizoram Tourism Department for night accommodation.
How To Reach Tam Dil Lake: Tam Dil lies 90 kilometers from state capital Aizawl, and it is easily accessible. The condition of the road is also excellent and only deteriorates after Keifang. The route is: Aizwal-> Seling-> Keifang-> Saitual-> Tam Dil.
Palak Dil Lake: Situated in Saiha district of Mizoram, Palak Dil is the largest lake in Mizoram. Palak Dil Lake lies deep in southern Mizoram in Saiha district. The lake spreads over an area of 1.5 square kilometers and is home to many aquatic animals and a variety of fish. Due to its importance, the area surrounding Palak Dil is declared a protected area called Palak Wild Life Sanctuary.
Also Read: Travel Guide To Vantawng Waterfall and Tuirihiau Waterfall In Mizoram
How To Reach Palak Dil: Palak Dil lies 330 kilometers from Aizwal and takes two days to reach. In the hills and forest of Mizoram, building roads is a daunting task, so the road condition is not good. After Siaha, one has to rely only on small vehicles.
Rih Dil Lake: Rih Dil is an important lake and part of the Mizo culture, traditions, and folklore. The lake lies not in India but Myanmar. Situated in the Chin State of Myanmar, Indian citizens can visit the lake after crossing the India-Myanmar Border at Zokhawthar. Rih Dil is a heart-shaped lake surrounded by hills and paddy fields, and it is a popular tourist destination for the citizens of both countries. Mizoram Tourism department has a rest house at Zokhawthar, where tourists from India can stay during their visit to Rih Dil Lake.
How To Reach Rih Dil Lake: Rih Dil Lake lies four kilometers from the border town Zokhawthar. Zokhawthar lies 220 kilometers from the state capital Aizwal. The road condition is no good, and it takes a day for travelers to arrive at Zokhawthar from Aizwal. At Zokhawthar, Indian citizens can cross the border and visit the lake.
Video Of My Solo Ride to Rih-Dil Lake In Mizoram
List of Lakes in Manipur
The state of Manipur is also known as India’s Jewel state. Manipur is a small state sandwiched between Nagaland in the north and Mizoram in its south. On the eastern side, Manipur shares the international border of India with Myanmar. The Capital of Manipur is Imphal, and it is also the biggest city in the state. Manipur is known for its diverse geography, especially the plains surrounded by the Purvanchal Hills. It is also renowned for its lake, playing a prominent tourist attraction of Manipur. The lakes situated in Manipur include:
Loktak Lake: Laktak lake is the largest lake in Manipur and the entire north-east India. The lake spreads over an area of 287Square Kilometers and plays an integral part in Manipur’s economy by providing water for hydroelectricity, irrigation, and drinking. Loktak Lake is also home to a wide verity of aquatic animals and plants and hosts many species of fish forming the main diet of Manipur. The lake is also known for its Phumdis (heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil, and organic matter at various decomposition). On the southern side of the lake, the Phumdis forms the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world and home to Sangai deer.
How To Reach Loktak Lake: The Loktak lake lies in the Moirang, 50 kilometers from the state capital Imphal. Imphal is connected to other parts of India and north-east via Air and roads. The nearest railway stations are Dimapur and Silchar. The road connecting Moirang and Imphal is in good shape, and tourists can reach Loktak Lake after an hour ride from Imphal.
Also Read: Second Ride To India-Myanmar Border: Bike Trip To Moreh In Manipur
Khuga Lake: Khuga lake is a part of a Dam reservoir formed by the Khuga River in Churachandpur district of Manipur. Khuga Dam is also known as Mata Dam and is visited mostly by the locals of the area. There is a Tribal Martyrs Memorial Park near Khuga Lake dedicated to tribal who laid down their lives during a protest against three anti-tribal bills. The lake is a popular spot for boating, but due to its remoteness, tourists from other parts of India hardly visit.
How to Reach Khuga Lake: Khuga Lake is in the Churachandpur district, the southernmost region of Manipur bordering Mizoram. The lake lies a few hundred meters from the main road. The lake lies 80 kilometers from the state capital Imphal, and it is not advisable to visit the lake unless you have an abundance of time.
Apart from Loktak Lake, there are two more lakes in the vicinity of Loktak lake called Pumlenpat and Ikop Pat. Pumlenpat lake lies south of Loktak while Ikop Pat on its northern side. These two lakes are hardly visited as they are overwhelmed by the might of Loktak. Pumlenpat and Ikop Pat mostly serve as the livelihood for the locals living on its shores.
List of Lakes In Nagaland
Of all the states in North-East India, Nagaland has a lesser number of lakes compared with others. Nagaland, like its other neighboring states, mostly comprises of hills and forest. Lakes in Nagaland include:
Also Read: Trip To Longwa In Nagaland: A Village Half In India & Half In Myanmar
Doyang Dam Reservior Or Doyang Lake: Doyang Lake is a reservoir formed by damming the Doyang river flowing through the Wokha district in Nagaland. It is a paradise of bird lovers, and a large number of migratory birds arrive at Doyang Lake during their flight from Mongolia to South Africa. The lake is also a famous site to spot Amur Falcons. The government of India is working with the Nagaland government to upgrade the lake to an eco site to boost tourism in the region.
Shilloi Lake is another lake in the Phek district of Nagaland. It lies in the remote area of Nagaland and nearly inaccessible for the majority of travelers. Shilloi Lake lies 300 kilometers from the state capital Kohima. Due to the bad condition of the roads, visiting Shilloi lake is a challenging task, and therefore tourists prefer visiting Doyang Lake.
List of Lakes in Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is the largest state among all the northeastern states. Arunachal Pradesh hosts many lakes, but due to the harsh terrain, the majority of the lakes are inaccessible, and only a few act as tourist attractions. Lakes situated in Arunachal Pradesh include:
Also Read: List of Places on International Border In North-East India
Sangestar Tso: Sangestar Tso is a famous lake in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The lake is also known as Madhuri Lake. Sangestar Tso is a high altitude lake, and it gets frozen during the winter. The lake is close to the India-China International Border, and tourists can also visit Bum La Pass and Zemithang while visiting Sangestar Tso. Jung Fall and Tawang Monastery is also an excellent place to visit while visiting Sangestar Tso.
How to Reach Sangestar Tso: Sangestar lake is accessible from Guwahati, after a ride of 480 kilometers. The road to Sangestar is a mix of good and bad stretch and bliss for bikers. Since the lake is close to India-China Border of India, an additional permit is mandatory from Army.
Lake of No Return: The Lake of No Return is in Myanmar and not in India, yet it is a popular tourist destination among tourists from India as they can cross the border without any visa requirements. During the second world war, several allied aircraft crashed into the lake, giving it the name as Lake of No Return. The Lake lies close to Pangsau Pass on the India-Myanmar Border. The road connecting India is called Ledo Road, built during the second world war to transport allies soldiers on China front.
How to Visit Lake of No Return: The lake is 570 kilometers from Guwahati. The Indian town close to the lake is Nampong. Here travelers need to cross the border and visit the lake. Since the lake is on the India-Myanmar border, travelers from India require appropriate permissions from authorities.
Apart from above, Arunachal Pradesh has a few more lakes. These are mostly visited by locals or travel enthusiasts as they require days to visit. These include Ganga Lake in Itanagar, Danakosha lake near Tuting, and Sally Lake and Mehao Lake near Roing. The majority of travelers restricted them to Madhuri Lake, but other lakes in Arunachal Pradesh are worth visiting.
List of Lakes in Sikkim
Sikkim is the smallest state among all the north-east states. Like Arunachal Pradesh, it hosts some of India’s highest high altitude lakes and the entire world. List of Lakes in Sikkim include:
Also Read: List of Passes In Himalayas
Gurudongmar Lake: Gurudongmar Lake is a high altitude lake in the North Sikkim district of Sikkim. The lake lies at an altitude of 17,800 ft (5,430 m), and it is one of the highest lakes in India. Gurudongmar Lake is a popular tourist destination in Sikkim and often visited by motorcycle enthusiasts. It also lies close to India’s border as India-China Border is around 5 kilometers from the lake. The lake is sacred to Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists and lies 180 Kilometer from the state capital Gangtok.
How to Visit Gurudongmar Lake: As mentioned above, the lake is accessible after a ride of 180 kilometers. The condition of the road varies from good to bad, but it is one of India’s renowned bike routes. As the lake is close to the international border, tourists have to arrange additional permits before visiting the lake.
Tso Lhamo Lake: Tso Lhamo Lake lake is the highest lake in India, at an elevation of 18000 feet above sea level. The lake lies close to India-China Border and eight kilometers from the Gurudongmar lake. Donkha La pass, one of the highest mountain pass in India, is visible from Tso Lhamo Lake.
How to Reach Tso Lhamo Lake: As the lake lies close to Gurudongmar lake, tourists need to follow the same route for Tso Lhamo Lake, and once they reach Gurudingmar Lake, ride for eight kilometers more to visit this beautiful lake.
Lake Tsomgo: It is a small glacial lake situated in the East Sikkim district at en elevation of 3753 meters. Tsomogo lake is also known as Changu Lake, and it lies en route the Nathu La Pass. The lake is a popular tourist destination in East Sikkim, situated only 16 kilometers from Nathu La and Border of India. Sarathang Lake and Nahu la lake are two more lakes located close to Nathu la.
Sikkim has a few more lakes, but the majority of travelers hardly visit these lakes, and they prefer visiting the lakes mentioned above. These lakes include Memencho Lake, Khecheopalri Lake, Samiti Lake, and Elephant Lake.
