Loktak Lake
Lake Largest freshwater lake in Manipur with floating islands
Freshwater lake in Manipur known for phumdis (floating vegetation) and Keibul Lamjao, the world’s only floating national park. Visitors take boat trips, observe local fishing communities and seek sightings of the endemic sangai deer.
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Loktak Lake is in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur and is the largest freshwater lake in northeastern India. The lake is best known for its floating phumdis and for supporting unique wetland ecology.
Floating vegetation mats create a distinctive landscape of islands and channels; boat trips around the phumdis are the usual way to view the lake and its wildlife. The nearby Keibul Lamjao National Park is situated on the phumdis and offers wildlife viewing, particularly of the endangered Sangai deer.
Local communities have traditionally used the lake for fishing and floating-island agriculture, with the phumdis playing a central role in livelihoods and ecology. Conservation and management of the lake and its floating biomass have been ongoing concerns in recent decades.
The lake lies in the central valley of Manipur and is surrounded by agricultural land and small settlements, with the state capital Imphal to the east of the lake area.
- Phumdis: The lake is renowned for its phumdis-thick floating mats of vegetation that support unique habitats and local livelihoods.
- Sangai deer: Home to the Sangai (Manipur brow-antlered deer), an endangered species conserved within the lake's floating wildlife park.
What to See #
- Keibul Lamjao National Park: A protected area of floating biomass known as Keibul Lamjao National Park, designated as a national park and located on the lake's phumdis, is the only floating national park in the world and supports the endangered brow-antlered deer (Sangai).
How to Get to Loktak Lake #
Loktak Lake (Manipur) is reached from Imphal, the state capital - by road the lake is roughly 50-60 km from Imphal and typically takes about 1.5-2 hours by car via the main Imphal-Moirang road (NH route connections). Regular state-run and private buses or hired taxis run from Imphal to towns and villages on the lake’s edge (Moirang and northern shore villages); once at a lakeside village, short boat trips or walks bring you to the main viewing points and islands.
Tips for Visiting Loktak Lake #
- Base yourself in Moirang or Imphal and organize an early-morning boat trip onto the lake to see the phumdis (floating vegetation islands) and local fishermen when activity is highest.
- Combine a lake boat trip with a visit to Keibul Lamjao National Park (the floating national park) to see wildlife and floating turf; arrange boats and guides locally in Moirang to ensure access and up-to-date conditions.
Best Time to Visit Loktak Lake #
Visit Loktak Lake in the cool, dry months (November-February) for the most comfortable weather and reliable boat access.
Weather & Climate near Loktak Lake #
Loktak Lake's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in June) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 28°C. Heavy rainfall (2425 mm/year), wettest in June with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (185 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (537 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. Heavy rain (472 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. Heavy rain (424 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (290 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. Heavy rain (212 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. The driest month with just 15 mm and mostly sunny skies.
