About Nakki Lake
Nakki Lake is a lake in the hill station of Mount Abu, in the Sirohi district of Rajasthan, set amid the Aravalli hills at around 1,200 metres above sea level. It is the town's central attraction: climb the winding road into Mount Abu and everything opens up around this single sheet of still water and beautiful scenes. After days of desert forts and dusty musty highways, it feels like a different Rajasthan: a bit cooler, greener and in no hurry at all.
Quick answer: Nakki Lake is open from 9:30 am to 6 pm and entry is free. Boating costs ₹100 per person for 30 minutes, in 2-, 3- or 4-seater boats. Come in the morning for the calmest and still water.
This isn't a place for sightseeing at speed, it makes the morning slow. Travellers come to Nakki Lake for its peace and steadiness: a slow jogg and walk along the lakeside promenade, half an hour on the water in a rowing boat, and the hills turning gold in the late light. It's the natural first stop in Mount Abu, and the starting point for talks to Sunset Point and the town's other viewpoints.
Nakki Lake History & Legends
Few lakes in India come with a better origin story. Local legend holds that Nakki Lake wasn't formed by nature at all. One story suggests the gods dug it out by hand, and the name is often linked to nakh, the Hindi word for fingernail. Another credits a legendary sculptor who carved the basin out of the hillside.
Whichever version you hear from the boatmen, and you'll likely hear more than one, the lake has been woven into Mount Abu's identity for time and centuries. It's part of what makes a quiet and easy boat ride here feel a little more special.
The lake's history is more too. On its shore stands Gandhi Ghat, where part of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in February 1948. It's a simple, calm spot, and worth a moment's pause on your walk around the water.
Things to Do at Nakki Lake
Go boating
The highlight of any visit. Choose a 2-, 3- or 4-seater boat and spend half an hour drifting across the lake with the hills all around.
Walk the promenade
A gentle lakeside stroll with benches along the water. Mornings are especially lovely, when the surface is still and the air is cool.
Spot Toad Rock
Look up from the shore for the rock formation shaped like a giant toad about to leap into the lake. It's Mount Abu's most photographed landmark.
Visit Gandhi Ghat
A quiet ghat on the lakeshore, connected to one of the most important moments in modern Indian history.
Head to Sunset Point
Paths near the lake lead towards Sunset Point and Mount Abu's other viewpoints. Ask your driver for the best timing.
Simply slow down
On a long Rajasthan tour, an unhurried hour by the water is often what guests remember most.
Is Nakki Lake Worth Visiting? Our Driver's Honest Take
Our drivers have brought guests to Mount Abu many times. Here's their honest advice, the kind you won't find in a brochure:
The lake itself is a beauty, especially in the morning. Come early, before 11 am, when it's calm and quiet. And you must go boating. It's an amazing experience, and it's very good value.
Be realistic about the rest, though. Apart from the lake, there isn't much to do right around it. The small park next to the lake is dull, the road alongside has little to offer, and there's almost no nightlife. In the evening, most people just sit on the benches by the water. If you want a lively night out, this isn't the place. If you want peace, it's perfect.
India Tourist Driver chauffeur
Worth it for
- Morning walks by the water
- A 30-minute boat ride
- Toad Rock and Gandhi Ghat
- Peace and cool hill air
Don't expect
- Much to do beyond the lake itself
- An interesting park or roadside
- Nightlife or evening entertainment
Nakki Lake Timings, Entry Fee & Boating
| Location | Centre of Mount Abu, Sirohi district, Rajasthan |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 1,200 m above sea level |
| Entry fee | Free |
| Timings | 9:30 am – 6:00 pm |
| Boating | ₹100 per person for 30 minutes · 2-, 3- or 4-seater boats |
| Best time of day | Morning, before about 11 am |
| Time to spend | An hour or two, including a boat ride |
Tip: Nakki Lake is the easiest place to start your Mount Abu day. Visit in the morning, then let your driver take you on to the viewpoints and sights below, ending at a sunset spot in the evening.
Places to Visit Near Nakki Lake
Once you've seen the lake, these are our drivers' favourite stops in and around Mount Abu:
Honeymoon Point
A scenic viewpoint over the valleys and plains below, and one of the most popular places in Mount Abu to watch the evening light.
Champa Cave
A natural cave in the hills close to the lake, reached on foot. A short adventure, and a fun one with children.
Trevor's Tank
A quiet, forested reservoir on the edge of town, loved by birdwatchers and anyone looking for a calm break from the crowds.
How to Reach Nakki Lake, Mount Abu
Mount Abu is easiest to reach by road, and the drive up the hill is part of the experience. Most of our guests add it to a longer Rajasthan journey, pairing it with Udaipur and the forts and palaces of the west. With your own private car and driver in Delhi, the car waits while you walk the lakeside, then takes you straight on to Honeymoon Point, Champa Cave or Trevor's Tank, with no taxis to find and no timetables.
See all our Rajasthan tour packages, and tell us you'd like Mount Abu included. We'll fit it into the route. Just need the drive? Our taxi service in Delhi for outstation trips covers one-way and round journeys across Rajasthan.
