Introduction:
Natural Lake Area Lakes provide a valuable water supply for drinking, agriculture, fishing and recreational purposes. Several similar beautiful lakes are found in India.
In this article, I described the top 10 beautiful natural Lakes to travel with family & friends.
In 2019 the data says that over 17.9 million tourists arrived in India compared to the year of 2018 is 17.4 million representing 3.5% growth. This makes India the 22nd most visited nation globally and the 8th position in ASIA.
1. Chilika Lake-Odisha:
Chilika Lake is a brackish water lagoon, spread over the Puri, Khordha and Ganjam districts of Odisha state in INDIA. It covers over 1100 square km. Chilika Lake is the biggest Lake in India after Vembanad Lake.
This lake is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the largest brackish water lagoon in the world. It is the largest wintering ground for the majority of birds on the Indian subcontinent. This lake is home to several threatened species of plants and animals.
Chilika Lake has International Importance. It is designated as “The Ramsar Site” wetland. The Nalaban Island within the Lake will be notified as a Bird Sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Chilika is the most beautiful natural lake in India.
How to reach Chilika from Bhubaneswar:-
Tourists planning a road trip to Chitika Lake from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are first required to reach Balugaon, which is around 2 hours from Bhubaneswar.
From there you can get a taxi or auto rickshaw to reach Rambha or Barkul. It is only 70 km. Away from Bhubaneswar.
Best Time to visit Chilika:-
From October to March is the best time to travel to Chilika to see the migrating birds. You can see Irrawaddy dolphins in more than 100 numbers, 228 species of Birds and 335 species of Fish at Chilika during your travel.
From 1989-1990 an estimated two million birds visited Chilika Lake. Odisha Tourism Department and Dolphin Motorboats Association, an NGO at Satpada report that nearly more than 40,000 tourists visit Chitika every year.
2. Dal Lake-Kashmir:
Dal Lake is located in Srinagar, in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Srinagar is the Capital of Jammu. It is an urban lake. Dal Lake is a beautiful in India and the second largest lake in the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
It is the most visited place by tourists and local people. It is variously known as “Lake of Flowers”.Urban Lake is integral to tourism and recreation in Kashmir and it is named the “jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar of Jewel”.
This Lake is also an important source for commercial operation in fishing
and water plant harvesting. Its catchment area is 316 square kilometres.
The major attraction of the lake is the canopied Shikaras sailing on the lake. The houseboat on the lake is also the top attraction and the best accommodation option in Srinagar for tourists.
The lake covers an area of 18 square kilometres and it is part of a natural wetland that covers 21.1 square kilometres including a floating garden. The floating garden is known as “Raad”.Dal Lake is the most beautiful lake in India.
How to reach Dal Lake from Srinagar:-
The quickest way to get to Srinagar Airport to Dal Lake is by taxi which costs Rs.650/-Rs.800.It is 17 km. Distance from Srinagar. You may go by bus, train and auto rikshaw also.
What month is the best time to visit Dal Lake:-
May to November is the best time to visit Dal Lake at Srinagar. It is very climate pleasant during winter.
Every year, more than 12 Lakh arrivals of tourists in Kashmir from different places all over the world to see the beauty of Kashmir & Dal Lake in Srinagar.
3. Vembanad Lake-Kerala:
The Vembanad Lake is the longest in India. Vemanad is a very beautiful lake which is the largest lake in the state of Kerala. Its area is 2033 square kilometres & maximum length is 96.5 kilometres. It is the second-largest Ramsar site in India. It is also known as Vembanadu Lake in Kottayam.
Every year the Nehru trophy Boat Race is conducted in the Vembanad Lake in Kerala. The government of India has identified the Vembanad wetlands under the National wetland conservation program.
The beautiful Vembanad Lake is the heart of Kerala.Every year lakhs of domestic and foreign tourist travel to this lake to enjoy it with their family.
The Kumarakom bird sanctuary is located on the east coast of the lake. The lake has become a major tourist attraction. This Lake is known by three names Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad, Kochi Lake in Kochi and Vambanadu Lake in Kottayam.
Vembanad Lake is a popular tourist destination in INDIA. It provides boating, fishing, and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating the tourists.
Vast array of rivers and canals that Kottayam is blessed with emptying itself into picturesque Vembanad Lake. It is a very lovely place to go picnic and has also turned into a prominent backwater destination.
Vembanad Lake has its source in four rivers, Meenachil, Achankoli, Pampa and Manimala. The Vembanad wetland system spans a mammoth area of 2033.02 sq. km. Vembanand Lake is the most beautiful lake in India.
How to reach Vembanad Lake in KERALA:-
Vembanad Lake spreads its beauty across many popular cities and tourist destinations in KERLA. Visitors can reach this pristine lake from major destinations like Alleppey, Kochi, Kumarakom, Kuttand, Kottayam and Ernakulam.
Which month is the best time to visit Vembanad Lake in KERALA:-
The best time to visit Vembanad Lake is between September to March every year. The weather from September to March at Kerla is very pleasant to travel.
As per the report of the Kerala Tourist Statistics report says that in 2018, foreign tourists visited Vembanad Lake at Kerla nearly 0.63 million whereas 4.48 million domestic tourists visited in 2018.
4. Loktak Lake-Manipur:
Loktak Lake is a freshwater Lake in Northeast India. Loktak is a very beautiful lake in India It is the largest freshwater lake in Asia. It is a pulsating lake with a surface area of 250sq.km to 500 sq km.
The day is observed in Manipur every year on the 15th of October. This Lake plays an important role in the economy of Manipur.
This Loktak Lake in Manipur serves as the source of water for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water for the people of Manipur.
This lake is also a livelihood for the rural fishermen who live in the surrounding areas. Loktak is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. It is also known as the floating lake for the numerous phumdis or masses of vegetation it supports
The pundits float around the lake's surface due to decay from the bottom.
Loktak Lake is not only the largest freshwater lake in northeast India. It is also home to a floating island called “phumdis”.
How to reach Loktak Lake in Manipur:-
This iconic lake is located in the Bishnupur district at a distance of 53 km. from Imphal. It is also known for its circular floating swamp called phumdis” in the local language.
However, you can reach 27 km from District Headquarters. From Jirbam Railway station it is 240 km. By Road, it is located at Moirang bus stop
only 3 km.
What month is the best time to visit Loktak Lake in Manipur:-
The month of February to March is the best time to visit this lake in Manipur. Boating and water sports are organized here at Takmu Water Sports Complex.
5. Pangong Tso Lake-Ladakh:
Pangong Tso Lake is an Endorheic lake spanning eastern Ladakh and western Tibet. It is 134 km. Long and divided into five sub-lakes called Pangong Tso, Tso Nyak, Rum Tso and Nyak Tso.
Approximately 50% of the length of the overall lake lies within Tibet in China & 40% in Ladakh, India and the remaining 10% is a disputed area. This lake covers almost 700 square kilometres. During the winter the lake freezes completely.
Pangong Tso Lake is very popular for its changing colour ability. Its colour changes from shades of blue to green to red. It is one of the highest-altitude lakes in the world that is filled with saline water.
It is located at an altitude of 4350 meters above sea level. Ladakh is famous for breathtaking landscapes, crystal clear skies, the highest mountain passes, thrilling adventure, Buddhist Monasteries and many local festivals.
Pangong Tso is in disputed territory. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) passes through the lake. A section of the lake is approximately km from the LAC, which is controlled by the Chinese government but claimed by India, which is declared as a disputed area.
The foremost thing to see at Pangong Tso Lake is its beauty. The mountains with their gradual slopes meet the blue meditative waters of the lake. It is the sight that remains lodged in your memory for a long time.
The Brahminy ducks can also be seen standing on the banks of the lake. The lake is extremely popular among photographers, selfie enthusiasts and those on a bike trip to Ladakh. Pangong Lake is the most beautiful lake in India.
How to reach Pangong Tso in Ladakh:-
The beautiful Lake Pangong Tso can be reached after a five-hour drive from Leh. From Leh, one can pass through the Changla pass and then through Taste. There are regular bus services run by the state road transport services of (J&KSRTC). Taxi can be hired from Leh to Pangong Lake.
What month is the best time to visit Pangong Tso of Ladakh:-
The best time to visit Pangong Tso Lake is during the month of summer from (May to September) every year. In the winter months, the lake would be frozen making the place less enjoyable.
The number of tourists visiting Leh was approximately 241285 domestic tourists and 38685 foreign tourists visited in 2020.