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View over Loktak Lake

Destinations / Manipur

Imphal and Loktak Lake

Manipur's capital with the old royal Kangla, plus Loktak, a large lake of floating islands about 48 km away.

FamousLakeHeritageWildlifeCity

Imphal has the Kangla royal complex, the Govindajee temple and a market run entirely by women. A day south takes you to Loktak Lake, its floating phumdis and Keibul Lamjao, the floating national park that is the last natural home of the Sangai deer. It suits travellers interested in history, culture, birds and quiet lake scenery.

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View over Loktak Lake
View over Loktak Lake
Loktak Lake, Manipur
Loktak Lake, Manipur
Floating phumdis on Loktak Lake
Floating phumdis on Loktak Lake
Karang Island in Loktak Lake
Karang Island in Loktak Lake
Loktak Lake waters
Loktak Lake waters

Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.

Best time to go

WhenWhat to expect
October to DecemberGreen after the rains and a good time to see Loktak. Migratory birds start to arrive from November.
January to MarchUsually the clearest and most comfortable weather. Winters are mild to chilly, and wildlife viewing at Keibul Lamjao is best from November to March.
April to MayAfternoons get warm, so plan sightseeing for the morning. Lai Haraoba is held at Moirang in May.
June to SeptemberMonsoon months. The valley is green but rain can disrupt roads and boat rides.

Sights and activities

1

Kangla Fort

The former royal seat of Manipur until 1891, now a heritage park with palace ruins, shrines, moats and the Kangla Museum. It is a sacred site, so behave respectfully.

Distance
In central Imphal, about 2 km from the city centre
Entry
Rs 10
Timings
About 7 am to 5 pm; one source says open daily, the state tourism itinerary says closed on Mondays
Time needed
2-3 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

2

Shree Govindajee Temple

The main Vaishnavite temple of Manipur, with twin domes and a paved courtyard, beside the old royal palace. The early-morning and evening aarti draws devotees.

Distance
Central Imphal, next to Kangla
Entry
Free
Timings
Open daily; aarti in the early morning and evening
Time needed
45 minutes

MapWrong fee or timing?

3

Ima Market (Khwairamband Bazar)

One of Asia's largest all-women markets, with over 3,000 women vendors selling produce, fish, handlooms and household goods. Good for phaneks, shawls and souvenirs.

Distance
Central Imphal, near Kangla's western gate
Entry
Free
Timings
Best in the morning to early afternoon
Time needed
1-1.5 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

4

Manipur State Museum

Displays tribal heritage, portraits of former rulers, costumes, arms, relics and old documents.

Distance
Central Imphal, near the Polo Ground
Time needed
1-2 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

5

Imphal War Cemetery

Graves of British and Indian soldiers who died in the Second World War, cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Distance
In Imphal
Entry
Free
Time needed
1 hour

MapWrong fee or timing?

6

Loktak Lake and Sendra

The largest freshwater lake in the North East, dotted with floating phumdis and fishermen's huts. Sendra hillock gives a high view over the lake and has a tourist home with a cafeteria; boating is run from Takmu.

Distance
About 48 km south of Imphal by road
Entry
Free; light vehicle parking about Rs 100
Timings
About 8 am to 6 pm
Time needed
3-4 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

7

Keibul Lamjao National Park

A floating national park on the phumdis of Loktak and the last natural habitat of the Sangai, the brow-antlered deer. The forest department keeps watch towers here; sightings are not guaranteed.

Distance
About 47 to 53 km from Imphal, on the south side of Loktak
Entry
Rs 30 for Indians, Rs 200 for foreigners; camera Rs 50 (Indians) or Rs 250 (foreigners)
Timings
About 7:30 am to 5:30 pm
Time needed
2-3 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

8

INA Memorial and Museum, Moirang

Marks the place where the Indian National Army first raised its flag on Indian soil on 14 April 1944. The museum shows letters, photographs, badges and war items.

Distance
Moirang, about 45 km from Imphal
Timings
Closed on Mondays.
Time needed
1 hour

MapWrong fee or timing?

Getting there

By bus
Private buses run daily from Guwahati via Dimapur and Kohima, from Dimapur via Kohima, and from Silchar via Jiribam. Guwahati to Imphal is a long overnight ride of about 13 to 19 hours.
By train
Imphal has no railway station. The usual railheads are Dimapur in Nagaland (about 200 to 215 km by road) and Guwahati, with buses or flights onward.
By air
Imphal (Tulihal) airport, also called Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, is about 7 to 8 km from the city centre, with direct flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Hyderabad and other North Eastern cities.
Where to base yourself
Stay in central Imphal and visit Loktak, Sendra and Moirang as a day trip; the state-run Sendra Resort is the option for a night by the lake.

Getting around

  • Auto-rickshaws and taxis are the main way around Imphal; App-based cabs and city buses also run.
  • For Loktak, Sendra, Moirang and Keibul Lamjao, hire a taxi from Imphal for the day or take a public bus or shared vehicle to Moirang on the Tiddim Road (NH-150/53).
  • Boating on Loktak is run from the Takmu water sports complex.

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Where to stay

Budget levelTypePrice per night
BudgetEconomy hotels, homestays and the Youth Hostel in Imphal₹900 to ₹1,800
Mid-rangeStandard hotels in Imphal such as Sangai Continental, or a farmhouse stay₹3,000 to ₹4,500
LuxuryFour-star hotel in Imphal (Classic Grande)₹6,500 to ₹9,000

Food

Imphal restaurants serve Manipuri thalis, fish curries and bamboo shoot dishes, along with Chinese and other Asian food. Outside Imphal you may find little more than roadside dhabas, so carry snacks and water on the Loktak day.

Try these

  • Eromba (mashed vegetables with fermented fish and chilli)
  • Ngari (fermented fish)
  • Kangsoi (stew with dry fish and vegetables)
  • Bamboo shoot dishes
  • Manipuri thali (rice with several local sides)
  • Momos

Many local dishes use fermented fish, and locals sometimes treat fish as vegetarian, so vegetarians should ask clearly.

Daily costs

Budget levelStay per roomFood per personLocal transport
Budget₹1,200₹500₹300 per person
Mid-range₹3,500₹1,000₹2,500 per vehicle
Luxury₹7,000₹2,000₹3,500 per vehicle

Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.

Permits and documents

Indian citizens from outside Manipur need an Inner Line Permit (ILP). The tourist Temporary ILP costs Rs 100 and is valid for 30 days; apply online at manipurilponline.mn.gov.in or at self-service kiosks at Imphal airport, Mao Gate or Jiribam Gate with ID and a passport-size photo. Foreign nationals should check the state tourism foreign tourist rules before travel.

Safety

By day
Central Imphal and the main sights are visited by tourists, but Manipur has a history of insurgency and frequent strikes (bandhs). Check current advisories and local news before travelling outside Imphal.
At night
Plan to be back in Imphal before dark. The state tourism department advises against driving on highways or rural roads after dark.
Solo women
Dress modestly, especially at temples, and use hotel-arranged taxis for the Loktak day.
Roads
The Imphal to Moirang road is a main highway of about 45 km. Long routes into the state through the hills are slow, and monsoon rain can disrupt roads. Highway toilet and food stops are few.
Emergency numbers
112 (all emergencies), Manipur Directorate of Tourism: 0385 242 1794, Childline: 1098

Practical

Mobile network
4G LTE coverage is available across the state on most major networks; it can be slow. Wi-Fi is available in the more popular Imphal hotels.
ATMs and cash
Imphal has banks and ATMs, but carry cash for markets, villages and Loktak boat rides.
Fuel
There are several petrol pumps in and around town. Fuel is available in Imphal. Fill up before the Loktak day trip.
Medical
Hospitals are easy to find across the city. In an emergency dial 112, or 108 for an ambulance in most states. Main hospitals are in Imphal. Facilities near Loktak are limited.

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Accessibility

Seniors
Most sights are close together in Imphal and Loktak is an easy drive. The Sendra hillock and park watch towers involve some climbing.
Children
Suitable for children. Keibul Lamjao has a reduced child fee at some sources; insist on life jackets for any boat ride.
Wheelchair users
Kangla's grounds are large and partly flat, but boats, watch towers and Sendra are not suited to wheelchairs.

Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.

Culture and responsible travel

  • Kangla and the Govindajee temple are sacred places; dress modestly and behave quietly.
  • Ask before photographing people, especially the women vendors at Ima Market and during rituals.
  • Fishing families live on the phumdis of Loktak; do not enter their huts or disturb nets without permission.
  • Do not pick plants or take saplings from protected areas.
  • Main festivals include Yaoshang (Manipuri Holi), Lai Haraoba, Cheiraoba (Manipuri New Year), Ningol Chakouba and the Sangai Festival.
  • Meiteilon (Manipuri) is the main language; English and Hindi are enough to get by in Imphal.

What to pack

  • Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
  • Printed copies of your permit, with a few passport-size photos
  • Clothes in earthy colours, a cap and binoculars for safaris
  • Some cash in small notes for autos, stalls and tips
  • Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts

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