Begnas Lake, an Amazing Place
Published: June 2, 2023
Begnas Lake Introduction
Begnas Lake is a beautiful lake under Lekhnath in Kaski district. This lake is considered to be the second-largest lake in Pokhara and the third-largest lake in Nepal. Being the largest lake in Lekhnath Municipality, it has an area of 3.73 sq. km. (373 hectares). The lake occupies 4.7% of the total area of Lekhnath Municipality and 81% of the total lake area. The lake is 7.5 to 10.6 meters deep.
After the construction of the dam in 2044 BS, the total area increased by 153 hectares, i.e., from 220 hectares to 373 hectares. The canal constructed from this dam has been providing irrigation facilities to the excavated fields and property fields of the municipality.
You can enjoy boating on this lake, which will provide the overall scenery from one corner to another. Begnas Lake also has the beautiful shadow of the Annapurna and Manaslu mountains. So, while strolling around the shores of this lake, you can get a glimpse of both hills and peaks. Besides these, the fish found in this lake have different kinds of significance. Most of the unique and tasty fish are found in this lake in Pokhara.
Village Walk:
On the west side of the lake, there’s a small walking trail just past the dam that goes through local villages. The first village is a bit touristic, but it offers nice views and a great spot to stop for tea. Beyond that, the path goes through the jungle and along the water until it reaches other villages on the lake.
It’s a nice walk, but be sure to wear long socks and pants. This area often has small leeches. After walking for 10 minutes, our feet were covered, and we had to run back while trying to get them off of our shoes. Make sure to bring salt, or you can soak your socks in tobacco water, which is said to repel them.
Getting to Begnas Lake
Begnas Lake sits about 15 kilometers away from Pokhara. It can be accessed by options like bus, taxi, and cycling. You can catch a bus from Prithvi Chowk, Pokhara, and it takes you about 30 minutes to reach the lake. Another popular way to reach the lake is by bicycle. You can hire a mountain bike in Pokhara for Rs. 800 for 12 hours. The road is fairly well built, and you can even take your time to admire the morning scenery.
If you don’t want to do any sort of hard work, then you can rent a private vehicle. You can hire a vehicle from a tour agency. It will save you the hassle and make the trip carefree.
Things to do around Begnas Lake
- The Begnas Lake is an integral part of your Pokhara tour, and it should definitely be on your bucket list. You can merge your itinerary with other day tours and tours in Nepal. During your tour in Pokhara, you can combine it with visiting the Rupa Lake, or you can even combine it with other tours. Include it in your list after coming from the World Peace Pagoda and after visiting Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave.
- If you fancy serenity, then you can choose to do meditation on the banks of the lake early in the morning. You can explore the shores of the lake by walking around it, and there are many spots near the lake that are well equipped for a short picnic.
- While exploring the lake, why not mix it up by adding a short visit to the Begnas Bazar? The shops here sell wonderful souvenirs, which you can take for your loved ones and friends.
- Begnas Lake is a surreal gift of nature that is worthy of anyone’s time and attention. Its placid waters soothe the mind and soul, while the gorgeous backdrop of the Himalayas makes it a textbook example of paradise.