Shilloi Lake, Phek

The most prominent tourist attraction in the Phek district, Sillio Lake, is a beautiful, mesmerising waterbody shaped as a footprint. The Sillio Lake is also known as the Latsam by the locals. The enchanting location of the lake makes a visit to it worthwhile. Located on the lower slopes of the Patkai Range bordering Myanmar, the lake has an area of 0.25 to 0.30 sq km. The depth of the lake is 4 metres.

An old, eerie tale masks the beauty of the lake and the villagers fervently tell the story. According to legends, a couple mysteriously lost their girl child near the river and despite much effort couldn’t bring her back from the centre of the lake. It is believed that the young girl became the queen of the lake and was called Latsam. Because of the story, the lake is still not used for drinking, irrigation or fishing.