Kulekhani (Indrasarowar)
In Nepali: कुलेखानी (इन्द्रसरोवर) · Also known as: Indrasarowar · Markhu · इन्द्रसरोवर
The Kulekhani dam, completed in the early 1980s, created Nepal's only large storage reservoir for hydropower, known as Indrasarowar. The lake winds between green hills, and the village of Markhu at its northern end has become a weekend getaway.
Visitors come for boating, fresh fish from the lake, and walks to Chitlang. The drive via Pharping or Thankot is scenic, if bumpy in places.
What to see and do
Take a boat on the reservoir, try local fish dishes, and walk along the shore and surrounding hills. Markhu has small resorts and homestays; Chitlang and Chandragiri are nearby for longer trips.
Good to know
Water levels vary seasonally with hydropower use. Weekends are busy with visitors from Kathmandu.
Quick answers
- Where is Kulekhani (Indrasarowar)?
- Kulekhani (Indrasarowar) is in Makwanpur district, Bagmati Province, in the Pahad belt of Nepal.
- What is the altitude of Kulekhani (Indrasarowar)?
- About 1,530 m (5,020 ft) above sea level.
- How much does it cost to visit Kulekhani (Indrasarowar)?
- Kulekhani (Indrasarowar) is in or right next to Kathmandu, so it is an easy day visit. Budget for a taxi there and back (about NPR 600–1,500, US$5–11) and meals (NPR 1,000–2,500, US$8–19 per person). If you stay in Kathmandu, rooms cost about NPR 1,500 / US$11–NPR 4,500 / US$33 a night.
- How many days do I need for Kulekhani (Indrasarowar)?
- Half a day to a full day is enough; it is a short ride from central Kathmandu.
- Do I need a permit or ticket for Kulekhani (Indrasarowar)?
- No special permit or ticket is normally needed.
- When is the best time to visit Kulekhani (Indrasarowar)?
- October–May
- How do I get to Kulekhani (Indrasarowar)?
- About 2 hours from Kathmandu via Pharping or Thankot–Chitlang. It is about 21 km (straight line) from Kathmandu.
- What is Kulekhani (Indrasarowar) called in Nepali?
- कुलेखानी (इन्द्रसरोवर)
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