The real beauty of Manipur lies outside Imphal, in the hills and lakes that surround the valley. Most of these trips can be done in a day by hired car or shared transport, though Loktak Lake deserves an overnight stay if you can manage it.
Loktak Lake (45 km south) is the largest freshwater lake in northeast India and Imphal's most important day trip. The lake is famous for its phumdis, floating masses of vegetation that form small islands across the water. Boat trips wind through the floating marshes, past the islands of Thanga and Karang. The lake attracts both resident and migratory birds.
Keibul Lamjao National Park sits within Loktak Lake and is the only floating national park in the world. It is the last natural habitat of the sangai, the endangered brow-antlered deer that has become the symbol of Manipur.
Kangchup (16 km west) is a hill station at 921 metres overlooking the Manipur valley. It serves as a mountain pass on the road to Tamenglong and makes for a pleasant half-day trip with good views.
Bishnupur (27 km south) is worth a stop for its distinctive single-celled, conical-roofed Vishnu temple.
Waithou Lake (16 km east, on the Indo-Burma road) is a quiet, scenic spot beside a village known for its pineapples.