Town or village
Salyan Khalanga
The hill headquarters of Salyan district, a quiet market town and base for Kupinde Lake and Kumakh.
कुपिन्डे दह
Kupinde Lake
Salyan's best-known lake, a quiet sheet of water in the hills associated with local legend and worship.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Lake
- District
- Salyan, Karnali
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: landslides (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Kupinde Lake, known locally as Kupinde Daha, is a natural lake in Salyan district, Karnali Province, and is usually described as the largest lake in the district. It lies in the hills north-west of Khalanga, the district headquarters, in an area that has given its name to the local municipality. The lake is surrounded by forest and farmland, and its still surface is popular with photographers on calm days.
The lake is a destination mainly for domestic visitors from Salyan and neighbouring districts, who come for walks, picnics and worship. A temple near the shore and the lake's place in local legend give it a religious character, and it is busiest on festival days. Outside those times the atmosphere is quiet and rural.
Facilities around the lake are limited, and most visitors come on a day trip by road from Khalanga or from towns on the way between Salyan and Surkhet. It is a pleasant break for travellers exploring the middle hills of Karnali.
History and culture
Local stories about Kupinde Daha speak of its great depth and of the lake's water level, and the lake is regarded as sacred. Worship and fairs take place at the lakeside, particularly during major festivals, and offerings are made to the deity associated with the water.
Interest in the lake as a tourist site has grown in recent years, with local government promoting it as one of Salyan's main attractions. The communities around it are mainly Magar, Chhetri, Brahmin and Dalit farming families. Visitors are expected to treat the lake with respect, keeping it clean and avoiding swimming or washing in the water.
Things to do in Kupinde Lake
Lakeside walk
Walk around the shore and up to viewpoints over the water.
Festival visit
Visit during a festival fair to see local worship and gatherings.
Weather and the best time to visit Kupinde Lake
Weather in Kupinde Lake
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are dry and clear, the most comfortable months for travel in the middle hills.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool and mostly dry, with cold nights and morning fog in the valleys.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March and April are pleasant with flowering trees; May turns hot and hazy in the lower valleys.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet, and landslides frequently block the hill roads.
Where to stay
GuesthousesHomestays
Few or no facilities at the lake; stay in Salyan Khalanga or nearby towns.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Travel by road from Salyan Khalanga or the surrounding towns to the lake area, then walk a short distance to the shore.
Nearest hub: Salyan Khalanga
- roadJeeps and motorbikes reach the lake area from Khalanga and from towns on the road towards Surkhet.
- walkA short walk leads from the nearest road to the shore.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to visit Kupinde Lake.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Kupinde Lake
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Rural roads to the lake are affected by landslides and mud in the monsoon.
Otherlow in a typical yearJun-Sep
Shore paths are slippery in the monsoon; swimming is not advisable.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Do not swim; the lake is sacred and reputed to be deep.
- Bring food and water, as shops near the lake are few.
Questions about Kupinde Lake
Where is Kupinde Lake?
In Salyan district, Karnali Province, in the hills north-west of Salyan Khalanga.
Can I swim in Kupinde Lake?
No; it is regarded as sacred and swimming is not advisable.
How long do I need?
A half or full day trip from Salyan Khalanga is enough.
Nearby
Temple, monastery or heritage site
Kumakh Malika
A hilltop shrine of the goddess Malika in Salyan, a pilgrimage and viewpoint above the surrounding hills.
Town or village
Birendranagar
The capital of Karnali Province, a planned town in the broad Surkhet valley and the road gateway to the Karnali hills.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Karnali Province, Wikipedia, Nepal Tourism Board