Which lake is the largest freshwater lake in the Nepalese Himalayas?

Rara Lake is the largest freshwater lake in the Nepalese Himalayas. It lies in Mugu and Jumla districts of Karnali Province and forms the centerpiece of Rara National Park.

At roughly 2,990 metres above sea level, Rara covers about 10.4 square kilometres. It is approximately 5.1 kilometres long, 2.7 kilometres wide, and reaches a maximum depth of about 167 metres. The Nijar River drains the lake into the Mugu Karnali river system.

Rara National Park was established in 1976, and the surrounding wetland was designated a Ramsar site in 2007. The lake’s clear water can appear to change colour with weather and light. Forested hills, including Chuchemara Danda and Murma, surround the basin.

Rara also supports distinctive wildlife, including the endemic Rara snowtrout and Rara Lake frog. Tilicho Lake is a famous high-altitude lake and is higher than Rara, while Phewa and Begnas are associated with Pokhara; neither is the largest freshwater lake in the Nepalese Himalayas.