Town or village · 1,800 m
Chitlang
A historic Newar farming valley behind the Chandragiri ridge, on the old foot route between Kathmandu and the plains.
Makwanpurकुलेखानी (इन्द्र सरोवर)
Kulekhani (Indra Sarowar)
A long hydropower reservoir in the Makwanpur hills south-west of Kathmandu, with boating, lakeside villages and forested shores.
This is the Kulekhani dam and its reservoir, Indra Sarowar, in Makwanpur District; the lakeside village of Markhu has its own page.
- Altitude
- 1,530 m*
- Best months
- Oct-Apr
- Type
- Lake
- District
- Makwanpur, Bagmati
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: landslides (Jun-Sep), road blockages (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Kulekhani is the rock-fill dam and storage reservoir on the Kulekhani river in Indrasarowar Rural Municipality, part of the Makwanpur hills just beyond Kathmandu's south-western rim. The lake behind the dam, Indra Sarowar, winds for several kilometres between pine-covered hills at about 1,530 m and is one of the largest artificial lakes in Nepal.
For visitors the reservoir is a scenic weekend outing: boats and pedal boats go out from the shore at Markhu, roadside stalls serve fried fish from the lake, and quiet roads and trails follow the shoreline. The dam itself, about 114 m high, can be seen from the road near its southern end.
Within the Makwanpur hub, Kulekhani links the other places: Markhu sits on its northern shore, Chitlang is a short walk or drive up the valley, and Daman lies further west on the Tribhuvan Rajpath.
History and culture
Construction began in 1977 with funding from the World Bank and other lenders, and the Kulekhani I power station was commissioned in 1982, followed by Kulekhani II in 1986 and Kulekhani III, completed around 2019. Water travels through tunnels to underground power stations on the Rapti side of the hills, giving a combined capacity of around 106 MW. As Nepal's main seasonal storage scheme, it helps meet electricity demand in the dry season.
Filling the reservoir submerged farmland and homes, and families were relocated to the surrounding slopes. Since then, fishing, boating and small hotels have become a source of income for villages such as Markhu. The area's residents include Tamang, Newar, Brahmin and Chhetri communities.
Things to do in Kulekhani (Indra Sarowar)
Boating
Hire a rowing or pedal boat at Markhu for a short trip on the lake; life jackets should be provided.
Shoreline walk or drive
Follow the road along the reservoir towards the dam for views of the water and the surrounding hills.
Combine with Chitlang
Walk between Chitlang and the lake in a few hours as part of a weekend loop.
Weather and the best time to visit Kulekhani (Indra Sarowar)
Weather in Kulekhani (Indra Sarowar)
Forecast for 1,530 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Oct-Apr
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- Clear, pleasant weather and a full reservoir after the monsoon.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- Cool, dry days and cold nights; water levels slowly fall as power is generated.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- Warm and good for boating; the reservoir is at its lowest before the monsoon.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- Heavy rain and landslide risk on the hill roads; boating may be limited in bad weather.
Where to stay
HotelsResortsHomestays
Most accommodation is at Markhu on the northern shore; homestays are also available in Chitlang.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Kulekhani is about 2-3 hours by road from Kathmandu, via Pharping and the Dakshinkali road or via Chitlang.
Nearest hub: Kathmandu
- roadKathmandu to Markhu on the lakeshore via Pharping, roughly 40-50 km and 2-3 hours on hill roads.
- roadKathmandu to Chitlang via Thankot, then down to the lake, about 2-3 hours in total.
- walkWalk from Chitlang to the Markhu shore in about 2-3 hours.
Getting to Kulekhani (Indra Sarowar), by mode
Nearest hub: Kathmandu. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By car or jeepfrom Kathmanduabout 2-3 h
The usual approach is 40 to 50 km via Pharping and the Dakshinkali road to Markhu on the shore; the Thankot and Chitlang route takes a similar time on a steeper road.
Road: Sealed for much of the way with rough hill sections near the lake; a jeep is the safer choice in the monsoon.
When to set off: leave Kathmandu by 08:00 if you want time on the water
By motorbikefrom Kathmanduabout 2-3 hModerate riding
A long narrow hill ride with broken sections, best ridden in the dry months.
Road: Narrow hill roads, part sealed and part rough, slippery in the monsoon.
On footfrom Chitlangabout 2-3 h2-3 h from Chitlang down to the Markhu shore
The walk down from Chitlang reaches the Markhu shore of the reservoir.
Where people go next
- Markhuon foot, about 0.2-0.5 hThe village on the reservoir shore.
- Chitlangon foot, about 2-3 hUp the hill to the Chitlang valley.
- Damanby car or jeep, about 1.5-2.5 hWest to the Rajpath viewpoint.
- Dakshinkali Templeby car or jeep, about 1-1.8 hBack north-east towards the valley rim.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to visit the lake. Boat hire is paid locally; the dam and power station areas are restricted.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Kulekhani Reservoir (Wikipedia).
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Kulekhani (Indra Sarowar)
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The ridge road over Chandragiri and the rural roads down to the Kulekhani basin are steep and partly unsealed, and monsoon rain typically triggers slips and washouts between June and September.
Road blockageshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Hill roads in this corner are the weak link in the monsoon: after heavy rain the Chandragiri ridge road and the Kulekhani approaches are typically rutted and sometimes impassable to cars.
Coldlow in a typical yearDec-Feb
December to February days are cool and dry and nights are cold by the water, with mist on the reservoir in the early morning.
Otherlow in a typical yearJun-Sep
Boating on the reservoir is weather-dependent and is typically limited in monsoon storms and poor visibility.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Do not swim in the reservoir; water levels and currents near the intake can be dangerous.
- Photography of dam installations may be restricted; follow signs and guards' instructions.
- Carry cash; card payment and ATMs are limited around the lake.
- Hill roads are winding and partly rough; travel in daylight.
Questions about Kulekhani (Indra Sarowar)
What is Indra Sarowar?
Indra Sarowar is the reservoir created by the Kulekhani dam in Makwanpur, one of the largest artificial lakes in Nepal.
How do I get to Kulekhani from Kathmandu?
Drive about 2-3 hours via Pharping and the Dakshinkali road, or via Thankot and Chitlang. Most visitors head to Markhu on the lakeshore.
Can you go boating at Kulekhani?
Yes, boats can be hired at Markhu. Wear the life jacket provided.
More in Makwanpur
All of Makwanpur
Nearby
Valley or region
Makwanpur
Mahabharat hills just over the south-west rim of the Kathmandu Valley: a Newar valley, a hydropower lake and a high viewpoint on the old Rajpath.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 1,480 m
Dakshinkali Temple
A Hindu temple to the goddess Kali in a forested gorge south of Pharping, known for its Tuesday and Saturday animal sacrifices.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Kulekhani Reservoir (Wikipedia), Markhu (Wikipedia)