Loktak Lake Voyage Tips and guide

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Loktak Lake (Meitei: ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯄꯥꯠ, Loktak Paat) is a freshwater lake in South Asia. It hosts Keibul Lamjao National Park, which is on the tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage Site as of 2023. It is in the southern portion of the central bowl like plain of Manipur. Often described as "world's only floating lake", it houses countless floating restaurants, floating cafeterias and floating homestays on its surface. While most of the floating restaurants, cafeterias and homestays are built on the floating biomasses ("Phumdi" in Meitei language), there are some which are built on the artificial floating materials like air tanks.

Loktak Lake has been popular with visitors since the early 20th century for the presence of circular floating biomasses and its combination of fresh air, silvery water, adjacent mountains and good weather. The largest phumdi makes the Keibul Lamjao National Park the world's only floating national park, which is the only natural habitat for Sangai deer.

Loktak Day (Meitei: ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯅꯨꯃꯤꯠ, Loktak Numit) is celebrated every year on 15 October in and around the Loktak lake.

The etymology of the word "Loktak" in Manipuri is that "Lok" means "stream" and "Tak" means "the end". The lake's most remarkable features are floating biomasses called Phumdis (Meitei: ꯐꯨꯝꯗꯤ, Phumdi).

The largest Phumdi covers an area of 40 km² and is on the southeastern shore of the lake. It is Keibul Lamjao National Park (Meitei: ꯀꯩꯕꯨꯜ ꯂꯝꯖꯥꯎ ꯂꯩꯄꯥꯛꯀꯤ ꯂꯝꯄꯥꯛ, Keibul Lamjao Leipaak-ki Lampaak). The park is the last natural asylum place of the endangered Sangai deer, the brow-antlered deer (Meitei: ꯁꯥꯉꯥꯢ, Cervus eldi eldi). It is popularly called the "dancing deer". The park is one of the 12 geo-tourism sites in Northeast India notified by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) for promotion of geo-tourism.

The area around the Loktak Lake is pretty in characteristic, having a kind of flair and sense of history that tends to impress its visitors in a sense deeper than only from a touristic point of view. It has been known for its beauty and uniqueness for many centuries. Uncountable floating restaurants and floating home stays are found in every nook and corner of the lake. Lights shining from these floating houses make the night scene of the lake and its periphery truly colourful. Besides, even lamps on posts (poles) are installed in a regular pattern across all over the lake area. The lake's atmosphere and natural surroundings have been the inspiration for an important part of the creation of the Khamba Thoibi Sheireng, a 34,000 lined Manipuri epic poetry, written by poet Hijam Anganghal.

Loktak Lake was designated as a Ramsar Wetland site on 23 March 1990.

Map of Loktak Lake

• 24.593.771 Moirang - often called the "Cradle of Manipuri culture", because of the outstanding contributions to the Meitei culture in terms of folk dance, folk music, folk tales and mythology of Meitei religion (Sanamahism).
• 24.56393.7286612 Ningthoukhong - best known for being a good commercial hub, full of marketplaces.

• Sendra – a shoreline hill near Moirang. Here, tourist resorts are available on the hilltop and boatyards are available in the foothills.
• Thanga Island - the largest island and a place known for adventure tourists and religious pilgrimages.
• Karang Island - the second largest island in the lake, human inhabited like the Thanga Island as well as a place for adventure tourists and religious pilgrimages.

The nearest railway station is at Jiribam. Jiribam is connected to Silchar and Guwahati through railways. Another station is at Dimapur.

By bus, you can reach the lake by travelling to any of the shoreline cities or towns. However, Moirang is usually considered the best because it has the most widespread coverage over the peripheral regions of the lake.

What most people do to get around is boating, either through motor boats, or oaring boats, or kayaking.

To reach the floating restaurants, cafeterias and homestays in Loktak Lake, you must hire a boat from the offshore regions of Thanga Island, Karang Island or from the shoreline mainland Manipur, especially from Moirang mainland region. Lots of boating services are available in the shoreline regions of the lake. Starting from the motor boat to the rowing boats, various aquatic vehicles are in service for the transportation to and from the floating buildings in the lake. Many of those floating restaurants and homestays also give directly owned services for the aquatic vehicles. Please choose your convenient ones.

Many shipyards can be found in many corners of the lake. The most popular one is just below the foothills of the Sendra Hillock. Life-saving swimming airbags are mandatory for every boat rider (including kayakers). These are provided free of cost. There's no charge for photography, either.

The best thing a motorcycle rider could do is to roam at the shoreline cities and towns of the lake.

The entire lake area is popular with motorcyclists from all over Manipur. If you want to hire a scooter, you should contact one from the tour operators in Imphal.

Bicycles can be rented for free at hotels, especially home stays, where you are living in. Usually, people don't charge for bicycles.

• Uncountable number of floating restaurants and floating home stays in every nook and corner of the lake. Lights shining from these floating houses make the night scene truly colourful. Besides, even lamps on posts (poles) are installed in a regular pattern across all over the lake area.
• Nurathel Garden (Manipuri: Nurathel Leikol) in the middle of the lake - it is connected to the mainland through a narrow land route. So, it's a little peninsula and not an island.
• 24.51766793.813751 Loktak Folklore Museum, ☏ +91 94364 44845. A folk museum that displays a collection of artistic, cultural and historical artefacts associated with the lake. (updated Jun 2022)

Take a boat trip. The most popular tourist islands are the Thanga Island and the Karang Island. Both are inhabited.

Many make a hiking experience in the mountains and hills. There are various ways, from the easiest one to the most challenging. There are many camping sites as well as rest houses. Most roads offer spectacular views across the lake and sometimes it is even possible to see the bird's eye view of the entire lake from the top of a mountain or a hill. One popular strategic peak is the top of the Sendra Hill. The tourist office in Sendra has a larger opportunity of possibilities. The Sendra Tourist Resort is on the top of the Sendra Hill.

One can also do some water sports on the lake.

• Local handloom and handicraft products are sold at countless stalls and vendors across the shoreline regions of the lake. Garments made from Lotus stem are manufactured in the Thanga Island. Nowadays, these artworks are exported in the neighbouring towns also.

Singju – all the towns and cities around the lake avail delicious singjus. This salad is surprisingly flavorful and perfect for enjoying from a bench at the side of the lake.

Fish dish (Manipuri: Ngaa Thongba) - Dishes prepared from fresh fishes caught from the lake, are no doubt, truly tasty as well as healthy.

Some of the regularly scheduled lake boats have facilities for dinner. One can order such dinners at one of the floating restaurants also; see a list of home stays and other floating establishments in the #Sleep section.

Every hotel and restaurant, terrestrial (shoreline or within the land mass) or aquatic (floating), provides drinks of various types.

Some lake boats have provisions of drinks.

• Teas made from lotus stems, bamboo leaves, gingers or traditional herbs are usually served to visitors.
• Not every restaurant or cafeteria offers coffee: Manipuri people drink tea more often than coffee.
• Alcoholic beverages may or may not be available in the floating restaurants and cafeterias.

Sleep either at the floating home stays, floating around the lake or at the hotels in the shoreline regions of the lake.

Here's a list of notable floating restaurants, floating cafeterias and floating homestays on the Loktak Lake:

• 24.5493.8212 Ema Loktak Family Home Stay (ꯏꯃꯥ ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯐꯦꯃꯤꯂꯤ ꯍꯣꯝ ꯁ꯭ꯇꯦ), Loktak Lake Thanga, Chingkha, Bishnupur. This floating homestay is built on the floating biomasses (phumdis). It is clearly identifiable due to the erection of lots of flags of different colors in the associated floating biomass. It has the provision of different fish dishes, prawns as well as other food items, including meats. It provides alcoholic beverages too. It allows entry for pet animals also. 
• 24.54293.8243 Loktak Aqua Inn Floating Homestay (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯑꯦꯀ꯭ꯋꯥ ꯏꯟ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯤꯡ ꯍꯣꯝꯁ꯭ꯇꯦ), Loktak Thanga Karang, Erak, Thanga, ☏ +91 9612593606. It is built on the phumdis (floating biomasses). It is a good location for sightseeing, recreation, dining and getting around. Laundry and daily housekeeping are in service. Outdoor pool and lifeguards are available. Pet animals are not allowed. ₹4032/night. 
• 24.49793.8034 Loktak Aquamarine Floating Homestay (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯑꯦꯀ꯭ꯋꯥꯃꯦꯔꯤꯟ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯤꯡ ꯍꯣꯝꯁ꯭ꯇꯦ), Takmu , Loktak Lake Moirang, Bishnupur. Both Meitei traditional/local as well as international food items are available. It provides private kitchens, full service laundry and free breakfasts. It allows entry for pet animals. 
• 24.53793.8265 Loktak Ema Floating Restaurant Cum Home Stay (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯏꯃꯥ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯤꯡ ꯔꯦꯁ꯭ꯇꯣꯔꯦꯟꯠ ꯀꯝ ꯍꯣꯝ ꯁ꯭ꯇꯦ), GRQG+2CM, Thanga. 24 hours. This 24-hour open floating restaurant cum homestay is easily identifiable with lots of balloons being attached to the house and flags being erected in the associated phumdi (floating biomass). It is specifically known for its coffee services. 
• 24.52293.7846 Loktak Floatel (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯦꯜ), GQCM+QMJ, Loktak Lake, Ithing. Both Meitei traditional/local and international foods and drinks are available. 
• 24.52993.8077 Loktak Floating Homestay (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯤꯡ ꯍꯣꯝꯁ꯭ꯇꯦ), Thanga Khoirom Leikai. It provides private kitchen, swimming and fishing facilities as well as 3 meals a day. 
• 24.5493.828 Loktak Floating Rest Hut (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯤꯡ ꯔꯦꯁ꯭ꯠ ꯍꯠ), Thanga Karang, Thanga. 24/7. This 2 storey house is built on the phumdis (floating biomasses). Besides being a resort homestay, it also hosts birthdays, parties and functions. 
• Loktak Floating Restaurant (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯤꯡ ꯔꯦꯁ꯭ꯇꯣꯔꯦꯟꯠ), Loktak Lake, Thanga. 8am–10pm. It is specifically known for its fast food services. It also provides Meitei traditional/local as well as international foods and drinks. Families as well as individuals can stay nights at here. 
• 24.53893.8199 Loktak Heritage Floating Hut Thanga (Flotal Hut) (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯍꯦꯔꯤꯇꯦꯖ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯤꯡ ꯍꯠ ꯊꯥꯡꯒꯥ), Thanga, Loktak Lake, ☏ +91 8119863210, toll-free: +91 8119863210. This multi storey floating house is built on the phumdi (floating biomass). It provides dishes on fishes of different varieties as well as on other meats. Vegetarian foods are also available. 
• 24.53893.83310 Loktak Hotel Loktak (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯍꯣꯇꯦꯜ ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ), GRQM+CFQ, Thanga. 24/7. 
• Loktak Lairembi Ema Hotel (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ ꯏꯃꯥ ꯍꯣꯇꯦꯜ), GQ8W+PGM, Ithing. 
• Loktak Lake (seafood restaurant) (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯂꯦꯛ (ꯁꯤꯐꯨꯗ ꯔꯦꯁ꯭ꯇꯣꯔꯦꯟꯠ)), GRJJ+VXP, Thanga, ☏ +91 98567 41233, toll-free: +91 98567 41233. 8AM–6PM. This seafood restaurant is a good place for family travellers. It receives cash payments only (online payment not available). It is best known for its coffee services. 
• 24.54293.82211 Loktak Yaibikon Sanglen Home Stay (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯌꯥꯏꯕꯤꯀꯣꯟ ꯁꯪꯂꯦꯟ ꯍꯣꯝ ꯁ꯭ꯇꯦ), GRRF+V2G Loktak Lake, Thanga. This eco friendly homestay provides personal villas and cafeterias. It is built on phumdis (floating biomasses). Its best presentation is its coffee. 

• If you are a white person, some local villagers may want to take your photograph or even a group selfie. Don't worry! Just allow them to take your photos. Such thing is less common in urban areas, though sometimes anyone can do it. If you are an Indian or any South Asian, you may be assumed as a local by others.
• Beware of stormy wind in the surroundings of the lake, though it rarely happened.
• Do not try to swim across the lake: it's larger than it seems, wide and very deep. If you want to try, there are special events where locals and tourists can try this challenge safely by wearing swimming airbags, arranging support boats and prepared rescue teams. You can ask for this at the tourist office.

• The floating biomasses (Manipuri: Phumdi) (especially a big one) will act as your life savers, in case you are drowning. Never forget that when you are on a phumdi, you will never drown, though the surface of the phumdi is not stable like a concrete land surface.
• Swim only using a life safety jacket if you are not experienced in swimming, and stick to areas where others are present and might be able to help you in an emergency.
• Mosquitoes may be common, depending on the seasons, so bring mosquito repellent.

• Keibul Lamjao National Park - This is the world's only floating national park as well as the last and the only natural habitat for the world's only dancing deer species, Sangai deer (Cervus eldi eldi). This national park is also in Manipur.
• Moirang - This is the "Cradle of Manipuri culture", which inspired many poets by its beautiful scenic views.