Loktak Lake in Manipur is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. It is famous for phumids (mass vegetations) floating over it and houses the world’s only floating national park – Keibul Lamjao National Park. Many fishermen have built their huts on the phumids, and there are even floating homestays for travelers to experience and observe the everyday life of a fisherman in Manipur.

Loktak floating homestay - Sweet Loktak Homestay in Manipur

Laishram Biren Singh of Thanga Ngaram Leikai is one of the fishermen at Loktak Lake in Manipur who established ‘Sweet Loktak Homestay’ on one of these phumids in 2018. It is 1 km far from the road and just takes 15 minutes to reach by boat. The homestay has a kitchen, one bathroom and two bedrooms. The guests are served fresh local cuisine at the homestay. The Singh family also shares a part of the homestay with their guests.

Besides the wonderful and thrilling experience of getting to spend a night or two on Loktak Lake in Manipur, the guests are offered and taught activities like fishing and weaving at this homestay. “We are fishermen, and it is our pleasure to teach other people to catch fish and other techniques related to fishing. I feel really happy to see people being curious and showing interest in learning. It makes my day,” says Laishram.

Learn fishing from local fishermen at Loktak Lake Manipur

Laishram also provides customers boats to visit places nearby the lake. The guests do not have to worry about any transportation to reach the homestay. Laishram or his men are always ready to pick and drop their guests in their boats. Laishram says, “It is an amazing experience to do fishing in this lake knowing that you are sitting above it and spending nights above a lake in a small house. I cannot express the joy it gives me to share my knowledge on fishing, and to see the look at their faces when they catch some fish is a moment to cherish.”   

Handloom for weaving in Manipur

Both machine and traditional loom weaving are taught at his homestay at no extra charge. Even fishing is free. Now who would want to miss such an opportunity? To add on to the joy, there is one more activity that can be done here. Watching the sunset is also one of the major activities done on this little island. The feeling of enjoying the mesmerizing view of the sunset while sitting outside the homestay on a phumid and sipping tea is something else. “I cannot describe the joy it gives me to watch my guests enjoying their time at my homestay, watching the sunset and feasting on the fish they have caught. It feels right and makes me happy that I might have made someone’s day,” quips Laishram.

Enchanting view of sunset from Loktak Lake Manipur

Laishram not only encourages tourists but also locals to come to his place to learn about fishing and weaving, both an intrinsic part of their culture.

If this interests you, contact us and we will arrange your visit to Sweet Loktak Homestay.