Things to do · Nepal
Markhu and Kulekhani
A lakeside village and reservoir near Chitlang — calm boating, fresh-fish meals and an easy weekend from Kathmandu.
Markhu and Kulekhani are the lakeside village and reservoir that together form one of the most popular weekend escapes southwest of Kathmandu. The lake — Kulekhani reservoir, better known as Indra Sarovar — fills a valley in the forested hills of Makwanpur near the Chitlang valley, and the small village of Markhu on its shore is the natural base for getting out on the water. Calm boating, fresh-fish lunches and quiet, green surroundings make it a classic family outing, and it sits in our weekend getaways from Kathmandu collection as the region's go-to lake day.
Boating on Indra Sarovar
The main draw is boating on the reservoir, with small wooden and fibreglass boats hired by the hour from the Markhu shore. The water is flat and sheltered, so this is a leisurely paddle beneath pine-clad ridges rather than any kind of watersport — the appeal is the stillness, the reflections and the change of air. It is busiest with domestic visitors at weekends and on public holidays, when the shore fills with families; come on a weekday and you may have the boats almost to yourself.
The village and its fish
Markhu is a relaxed place to slow down, watch lake life and eat well. The lakeside is known above all for fresh fish raised in and around the reservoir, usually served fried or in a curry with rice at the cluster of small, family-run eateries that line the bank. It is a low-key, unpretentious food scene rather than a restaurant strip, so it pays to ask about the day's catch and agree prices before ordering.
A working reservoir
Unlike Nepal's natural lakes, Kulekhani is a storage reservoir, central to the country's energy history as its first major hydropower scheme of this type. Water held behind the dam drives turbines downstream, and the level rises and falls through the year — highest after the monsoon, lower through the dry winter and spring — which gives the shoreline a changeable character worth noting before you visit.
Pairing it with the region
Markhu and Kulekhani sit a short drive from the green Chitlang valley, and the two are best enjoyed together. Combine a boat trip with a night at the Chitlang community homestays, a stop at the goat-cheese farm, and the historic salt-trade trail. On the far side of the valley, swap water for greenery at the Godawari Botanical Garden, for temples at Palanchowk Bhagwati, or for a terraced overnight at Balthali village. To compare the reservoir with the country's natural waters, see the best lakes in Nepal.
Good to know
- Bring cash for boats and meals; there are no ATMs nearby.
- It can be breezy on the water — carry a light layer and sun protection.
- Agree the boat price and duration before setting off to avoid confusion.
- Skies and water are clearest in autumn and winter; plan the drive with getting around Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Markhu and Kulekhani?+
Markhu is a lakeside village on the shore of the Kulekhani reservoir, also called Indra Sarovar, in Makwanpur district southwest of the Kathmandu Valley. The lake sits in forested hills near the Chitlang valley, roughly two to three hours by road from Kathmandu via the Tribhuvan Highway or the Chitlang route.
What can you do at Kulekhani and Markhu?+
The main draw is calm boating across the reservoir, launched mostly from Markhu village, plus relaxed lakeside afternoons and fresh-fish meals at simple eateries. It is a gentle, scenic outing rather than a watersports hub, and pairs well with a Chitlang homestay.
What is Kulekhani reservoir?+
Kulekhani, or Indra Sarovar, is a large storage reservoir created by Nepal's first major storage hydropower scheme. It is not a natural lake; the water level rises and falls through the year with rainfall and power demand, highest after the monsoon and lower through the dry season.
How do you get to Markhu from Kathmandu?+
Most visitors drive via the Tribhuvan Highway and turn off toward Kulekhani and Markhu, or approach through the Chitlang valley. A private vehicle or taxi is easiest; there is no direct tourist bus, and the lake is busiest with domestic visitors at weekends and on holidays.
