A floating house on the Loktak lake

Loktak Lake (Meitei: Loktak Pat, /lok-taak paat/), often described as "world's only floating lake", houses countless numbers of floating restaurants, floating cafeterias and floating homestays on its surface. While most of the floating restaurants, cafeterias and homestays are built on the floating biomasses ("Phumdi" in Meitei language), there are some which are built on the artificial floating materials like air tanks. No matter on what materials, natural or artificial, are these floating buildings made, they give the tourists and visitors different experiences.

Understand

Uncountable number of floating restaurants and floating home stays are found in every nook and corner of the Loktak lake. Lights shining from these floating houses make the night scene of the lake and its periphery truly colourful. Besides, even lamps on posts (poles) are installed in a regular pattern across all over the lake area.

Get in and around

To reach the floating restaurants, cafeterias and homestays in the Loktak lake, one needs to hire a boat from the offshore regions of Thanga Island, Karang Island or from the shoreline mainland Manipur, especially from Moirang mainland region. Lots of boating services are available in the shoreline regions of the lake. Starting from the motor boat to the rowing boats, various aquatic vehicles are in service for the transportation to and from the floating buildings in the lake. Many of those floating restaurants and homestays also give directly owned services for the aquatic vehicles. Please choose your convenient ones.

See

Here's a list of notable floating restaurants, floating cafeterias and floating homestays on the Loktak Lake:

• 1 Ema Loktak Family Home Stay (ꯏꯃꯥ ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯐꯦꯃꯤꯂꯤ ꯍꯣꯝ ꯁ꯭ꯇꯦ), Loktak Lake Thanga, Chingkha, Bishnupur. This floating homestay is built on the floating biomasses (phumdis). It is clearly identifiable due to the erection of lots of flags of different colors in the associated floating biomass. It has the provision of different fish dishes, prawns as well as other food items, including meats. It provides alcoholic beverages too. It allows entry for pet animals also. 
• 2 Loktak Aqua Inn Floating Homestay (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯑꯦꯀ꯭ꯋꯥ ꯏꯟ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯤꯡ ꯍꯣꯝꯁ꯭ꯇꯦ), Loktak Thanga Karang, Erak, Thanga, ☏ +91 9612593606. It is built on the phumdis (floating biomasses). It is a good location for sightseeing, recreation, dining and getting around. Laundry and daily housekeeping are in service. Outdoor pool and lifeguards are available. Pet animals are not allowed. ₹4032/night. 
• 3 Loktak Aquamarine Floating Homestay (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯑꯦꯀ꯭ꯋꯥꯃꯦꯔꯤꯟ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯤꯡ ꯍꯣꯝꯁ꯭ꯇꯦ), Takmu , Loktak Lake Moirang, Bishnupur. Both Meitei traditional/local as well as international food items are available. It provides private kitchens, full service laundry and free breakfasts. It allows entry for pet animals. 
• 4 Loktak Ema Floating Restaurant Cum Home Stay (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯏꯃꯥ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯤꯡ ꯔꯦꯁ꯭ꯇꯣꯔꯦꯟꯠ ꯀꯝ ꯍꯣꯝ ꯁ꯭ꯇꯦ), GRQG+2CM, Thanga. 24 hours. This 24-hour open floating restaurant cum homestay is easily identifiable with lots of balloons being attached to the house and flags being erected in the associated phumdi (floating biomass). It is specifically known for its coffee services. 
• 5 Loktak Floatel (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯦꯜ), GQCM+QMJ, Loktak Lake, Ithing. Both Meitei traditional/local and international foods and drinks are available. 
• 6 Loktak Floating Homestay (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯤꯡ ꯍꯣꯝꯁ꯭ꯇꯦ), Thanga Khoirom Leikai. It provides private kitchen, swimming and fishing facilities as well as 3 meals a day. 
• 7 Loktak Floating Rest Hut (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯤꯡ ꯔꯦꯁ꯭ꯠ ꯍꯠ), Thanga Karang, Thanga. 24/7. This 2 storey house is built on the phumdis (floating biomasses). Besides being a resort homestay, it also hosts birthdays, parties and functions. 
• Loktak Floating Restaurant (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯤꯡ ꯔꯦꯁ꯭ꯇꯣꯔꯦꯟꯠ), Loktak Lake, Thanga. 8am–10pm. It is specifically known for its fast food services. It also provides Meitei traditional/local as well as international foods and drinks. Families as well as individuals can stay nights at here. 
• 8 Loktak Heritage Floating Hut Thanga (Flotal Hut) (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯍꯦꯔꯤꯇꯦꯖ ꯐ꯭ꯂꯣꯇꯤꯡ ꯍꯠ ꯊꯥꯡꯒꯥ), Thanga, Loktak Lake, ☏ +918119863210, toll-free: +918119863210. This multi storey floating house is built on the phumdi (floating biomass). It provides dishes on fishes of different varieties as well as on other meats. Vegetarian foods are also available. 
• 9 Loktak Hotel Loktak (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯍꯣꯇꯦꯜ ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ), GRQM+CFQ, Thanga. 24/7. 
• Loktak Lairembi Ema Hotel (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ ꯏꯃꯥ ꯍꯣꯇꯦꯜ), GQ8W+PGM, Ithing. 
• Loktak Lake (Seafood restaurant) (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯂꯦꯛ (ꯁꯤꯐꯨꯗ ꯔꯦꯁ꯭ꯇꯣꯔꯦꯟꯠ)), GRJJ+VXP, Thanga, ☏ +91 98567 41233, toll-free: +91 98567 41233. 8AM–6PM. This seafood restaurant is a good place for family travellers. It receives cash payments only (online payment not available). It is best known for its coffee services. 
• 10 LOKTAK YAIBIKON SANGLEN. Home Stay (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯌꯥꯏꯕꯤꯀꯣꯟ ꯁꯪꯂꯦꯟ ꯍꯣꯝ ꯁ꯭ꯇꯦ), GRRF+V2G Loktak Lake, Thanga. This eco friendly homestay service provides personal villas as well cafeterias. It is built on phumdis (floating biomasses). It's best presentation is the coffee. 

Talk

Meitei language (aka Manipuri language) is the tongue of all the people living in the periphery of the Loktak lake. Learning some basic Meitei phrases will help the travellers in overcoming the language barrier. Besides, at least some basic knowledge of English can be expected from the local business firms, including those of the floating restaurants, cafeterias and homestays.

Drink

• Teas made from lotus stems, bamboo leaves, gingers or traditional herbs are usually served to the visitors.
• Do not expect coffees from every restaurants and cafeterias because most people of Manipur use teas more than coffees.
• Alcoholic beverages may or may not be available in the floating restaurants and cafeterias.

Stay safe

• Swim only using life safety jacket if you are not well experienced in swimming. Never swim in less crowdy zones if you aren't expert in swimming. This is for your safety in case you get drowned.
• Being aquatic zones, mosquitoes may be common (depending on seasons). So, please bring mosquito-repellents.

Go next

• Keibul Lamjao National Park - This is the world's only floating national park as well as the last and the only natural habitat for the world's only dancing deer species, Sangai deer (Cervus eldi eldi). This national park is also in Manipur.
• Moirang - This is the "Cradle of Manipuri culture", which inspired many poets by its beautiful scenic views.