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Pokharaबेगनास ताल

Begnas Lake

A quieter freshwater lake in the east of the Pokhara valley, ringed by forested ridges, rice terraces and fish farms.

Plan a trip here
Begnas Lake seen from the Sundari Danda ridge, with wooded hills around its shore.
Photo: ElricBh (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Altitude
650 m
Best months
Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
Type
Lake
District
Kaski, Gandaki
Permit
None needed

Why go

Begnas Lake is the second largest of the seven lakes in the Pokhara valley after Phewa, and one of the lakes counted among Pokhara's sights. It lies in the south-east of the valley, roughly 13-15 km from Lakeside along the Prithvi Highway, inside Pokhara Metropolitan City. Compared with Phewa it is much less built up: the shoreline is a mix of forest, paddy fields, small resorts and fish cages rather than a continuous strip of hotels.

The usual visit is a rowing-boat trip across the water and a walk up one of the ridges that frame the lake. Sundari Danda, the ridge that pushes into the lake from the south, gives a view of the whole lake with the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges behind on clear mornings. Pachbhaiya hill, to the east, separates Begnas from its smaller neighbour Rupa Lake, and a short walk links the two.

Many people come for a half-day trip from Pokhara, but staying a night or two by the lake suits travellers who want quiet mornings, birdwatching and easy village walks. A meditation centre and several small retreats operate nearby.

Rows of colourful wooden rowing boats moored at the boat landing on Begnas Lake.
Photo: Shadow Ayush (CC BY-SA 4.0)

History and culture

The lake's water level rises and falls with the seasons and with irrigation demand. A small dam built in 1988 on the Khudi Khola, the lake's western outlet, regulates the level, and the water is used to irrigate farmland downstream. Parts of the lake are used for caged fish farming, and the local fisheries are celebrated in a fish festival held at the lakeside.

Surrounding villages are home to Gurung, Magar, Brahmin, Chhetri and Dalit families, and farming remains the main livelihood. Several of the swampy margins that once surrounded the lake have been converted into rice paddies over the past decades, which conservation groups cite as a pressure on the wetland.

Things to do in Begnas Lake

  • Boating

    Hire a rowing boat at the landing near the bazaar, paddle yourself or go with a local boatman; early morning is calmest.

  • Sundari Danda walk

    Follow the ridge on the lake's southern side for views over the water to the Himalaya; allow 1-2 hours.

  • Begnas to Rupa hike

    Cross Pachbhaiya hill to the shore of Rupa Lake, about 1-2 hours each way through farmland.

  • Fresh fish

    Try lake fish at one of the simple eateries near the boat landing.

Weather and the best time to visit Begnas Lake

Weather in Begnas Lake

Forecast for 650 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.

Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.

Best time to visit

Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec

  1. Jan
  2. Good month: Feb
  3. Good month: Mar
  4. Good month: Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Good month: Oct
  11. Good month: Nov
  12. Good month: Dec
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
October and November bring clear skies, mountain views across the lake and comfortable temperatures.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
December to February is dry and mild by day with cool mornings and frequent valley fog early on.
Spring (Mar-May)
March to May is warm, with good birdwatching but hazier skies that often hide the peaks.
Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
June to August is hot and wet; the lake is full and green, but views are rare and paths muddy, with leeches on forest trails.

Where to stay

ResortsGuesthousesHomestaysHotels

A handful of resorts, small guesthouses and homestays are spread around the lake and on the ridges; most visitors base themselves in Pokhara.

No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.

Getting there

Begnas Bazaar, at the lake's western end, is a short drive east of Pokhara on the Prithvi Highway and then north on a side road.

Nearest hub: Pokhara

  • roadAbout 13-15 km from Pokhara Lakeside, roughly 30-45 minutes by taxi or local bus to Begnas Bazaar.
  • walkFootpaths link Begnas Bazaar with Sundari Danda and with Rupa Lake over Pachbhaiya hill.
Mount Everest 8,848.86Kangchenjunga 8,586Dhaulagiri I 8,167Manaslu 8,163Annapurna I 8,091Begnas LakeKathmandu
Boundary: Government of Nepal, Survey Department (2020). Peak data: Wikidata.

Permits and fees

None needed

No permit is needed to visit Begnas Lake. Boat hire is paid locally.

Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Pokhara, Wikivoyage.

Practical tips

  • ATMs are in Begnas Bazaar and Pokhara; carry cash for boat hire and small eateries.
  • Mobile signal is generally good around the lake.
  • Wear a life jacket if one is offered, and avoid boating in afternoon wind or storms.
  • Swimming is not well supervised; fish cages and weeds make some areas unsafe.

Questions about Begnas Lake

How far is Begnas Lake from Pokhara?

Begnas Bazaar is about 13-15 km east of Pokhara Lakeside, roughly 30-45 minutes by road.

Is Begnas Lake worth visiting?

It suits travellers looking for a calmer lake than Phewa, with boating, ridge walks and village life; it works as a half-day trip or a quiet overnight stay.

Can you see the mountains from Begnas Lake?

Yes, on clear mornings the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges are visible, best from Sundari Danda; autumn and winter give the clearest views.

Do I need a permit for Begnas Lake?

No permit is needed; you only pay for boat hire or other services.

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Nearby

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Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Begnas Lake, Wikipedia, Pokhara, Wikivoyage