Zeilad Lake

1 dayBest: Oct–AprLakes#lake#hills#offbeat

Picturesque highland lake

Why this weekend?

Lake viewsHill drivesCamping

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The hill lake
- Lake deck
- Boat corner
- Hill walk
- Picnic lawn
- Return

Geography & terrain

Zeilad Lake lies in the Senapati district of Manipur at about 1,100 m, 60 km from Imphal and 10 km from Mao — the hill lake of the region, its clear water, the hills and the picnic decks set on the Manipur hills.

History & culture

The lake's story runs with the 20th-century tourism era — the hill lake of the 20th-century-era tourism life and the 19th-century-era farming era of the Mao hills, with the lake's modern role as the quiet stop of the Manipur circuit and the home of the clear water and the hills and the 2000s-era decks; the lake's history of the 1990s-era road works and the shore paths, gives Zeilad its lake character.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,000–2,500/night

Mid-range

₹2,500–5,000/night

Comfort

₹5,000+/night

Things to do

Hill lakes
Boat corners
Hill walks
Picnic lawns
View points

Eat & drink

Eromba (fermented vegetable mash)
Singju salad
Chakhao kheer (black rice pudding)
Chamthong (vegetable stew)

Getting there

Fly: Imphal (IMF)
Train: Imphal railhead (recently connected)
Road from Guwahati: ~500 km / 12 hr via NH-2
Getting around: Shared autos and taxis

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹3,000–8,000 (1 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,000–5,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Activities: ₹700–1,100

Month by month

Jan · Best: 7–23°C · Light rain
Feb · Good: 10–26°C · Light rain
Mar · Good: 14–30°C · Moderate rain
Apr · Hot: 18–32°C · Moderate rain
May · Pre-monsoon: 21–33°C · Heavy rain
Jun · Monsoon: 23–32°C · Heavy rain
Jul · Monsoon: 24–32°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 24–32°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Monsoon: 23–32°C · Heavy rain
Oct · Good: 18–30°C · Moderate rain
Nov · Best: 12–27°C · Light rain
Dec · Best: 8–24°C · Light rain

Practical info

Language: Meitei (Manipuri); English common (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Oct–Apr
Connectivity: Patchy outside Imphal — offline maps essential
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The season (Oct–Apr) holds the lake
The mornings hold the calm
Pairs with Mao for the circuit

Frequently asked questions

What is Zeilad Lake?

The hill lake of the Manipur.

What is there to do?

The water, the hills and the boats.

How long is the visit?

A full day.