boltQuick Facts10-sec scan
navigationHow I Did It
- check_circleTook a shared taxi from Imphal to Moirang (~₹80–₹100 per person, about an hour).
- check_circleFrom Moirang, hired a local auto to the Sendra viewpoint area.
- check_circleStayed overnight in a budget guesthouse near Sendra — simple rooms with a view of the lake.
- check_circleTook a short boat ride among the phumdis (floating islands) the next morning.
- check_circleAte at local eateries in Moirang — Manipuri thalis for under ₹150.
alt_routeMy Route
- 1Imphal~₹100, 1shared taxi ~₹100, 1 hr
- 2Moirang~₹200, 20auto ~₹200, 20 min
- 3Loktak Lake~₹300Sendra viewpoint + boat ~₹300
articleMy Experience
Loktak is the largest freshwater lake in the Northeast, and nothing prepares you for the sight of it — water stretching to the horizon, dotted with those strange green floating islands called phumdis. We went in February, when the sky is clear and the light is perfect. The air was cool and the lake so still it mirrored the sky.
The shared taxi from Imphal was easy — they leave when full from near the market, and the hour passed quickly watching the city give way to paddy fields. From the Sendra viewpoint, the lake spreads out below you like a map, and you can see the fishermen’s huts balanced on the phumdis. Tiny boats dotted the water, and the whole scene looked like a painting that had come to life.
The boat ride the next morning was the highlight. Our boatman poled us between the floating islands, and he pointed out where the Sangai deer live in the floating national park nearby. My father, who’d lived in Manipur all his life but never visited, just kept saying “eigee” — look at this. That reaction alone was worth the trip. He took about fifty photos, and now he shows them to every visitor who comes to our house.
account_balance_walletWhat I Spent
| Expense | Approx Cost |
|---|---|
| Imphal–Moirang shared taxi | ₹100 |
| Moirang–Sendra auto | ₹200 |
| Guesthouse, 1 night | ₹800 |
| Food, 2 days | ₹600 |
| Boat ride (shared) | ₹300 |
| Sendra viewpoint (free) | ₹0 |
| Return taxi | ₹100 |
| Snacks, water, misc | ₹200 |
Prices are approximate and may vary.
Travelled: Feb 2025
lightbulbMoney Saver
The shared taxi is absurdly cheap — ₹100 each way. And the Sendra viewpoint is free with the best panorama of the lake, so you don’t need any paid attraction to get the full experience.
verified_userReality Check
What actually saved money? The shared taxis both ways. Private taxis charge ₹1,500+ for the same route; we paid ₹200 total.
What wasn’t worth saving money on? The boat ride. I briefly considered skipping it, but being on the water among the phumdis is the whole point of Loktak.
Biggest mistake? Going to the viewpoint at noon. The light was harsh and the photos were washed out — late afternoon is far better.
Biggest surprise? The phumdis themselves. I’d read about floating islands, but standing on one — feeling it bob under your feet — is surreal.
Would I do this route again? Yes, and I’d add Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world’s only floating national park, which needs a separate half-day.
tips_and_updatesWhat I Wish I Knew
- February–March has the clearest skies; monsoon months can restrict boating.
- The shared taxis to Moirang leave from near Ima Keithel market — ask any local.
- Carry cash; card acceptance is limited outside Imphal.
- The lake is huge — one viewpoint isn’t enough; try to see it from the water too.
personAbout the Traveler
Lanchenba from Imphal — a traveller story on Mountains Bliss. Traveller stories · fellow travellers, honest budgets.
forumLanchenba
Can Loktak be done as a day trip from Imphal?
Yes — it’s only about 48 km, so a day trip is very doable. But staying one night lets you catch the lake at sunset and sunrise, which are completely different moods.
Is the boat ride safe for kids?
The boats are stable and the water is calm — my family felt completely safe. Life jackets were provided. Just keep small kids seated and it’s fine.
forum Traveler discussion (0)
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