Rara Lake Trekking

14+

Age

Nepal

Country

Mar through Dec

Dates

17 Days

Duration

Trekking

Activities

Rara Lake trekking leads you into the northwest of Nepal, in the remote area of Karnali, with Jumla as headquarters and the beautiful Rara National Park. This off the beaten path route offers glimpses of cultures and scenery that are very different from the rest of Nepal. The clear, high altitude Rara lake mirrors the snow capped Himalayas is ringed with pine, spruce and juniper forest. It is the largest lake in Nepal, and it surrounding Nepal’s smallest National Park. In summer rainfall is low, and ideal for trekking. In the winter there is often snow on the ridge surrounding the lake, in the autumn season trekkers are rewarded with a profusion of alpine flowers. If you are looking for wilderness and solitude and do not mind the initial travel, Rara Lake trekking is an ideal choice.

Our destination is the Rara National Park, with the biggest lake of Nepal as centerpiece. Along mountain paths and a series of picturesque villages, one reaches the magnificent banks of Rara Lake. The park includes Trans- Himalayan valleys with high ridges covered with forest and alpine pastures. Being among the local people with their distinctive culture and traditions gives the visitor a unique experience and makes for a wonderful holiday. The primitive people give the trekker a look backward and a chance to reflect on his own modern society and development. The great high mountains scenery enchants and fascinate as always. Like most of Nepal, Rara National Park is a naturalist’s dream. Animals like the gaur, serow, musk deer, yellow-throated martin and a wide variety of birds such as the impeyan pheasant, Kalij and dove are ever present.

Outline Itinerary:

01 Arrival in Kathmandu

02 Full day guided Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu Valley

03 Flight to Nepalgunj

04 Flight to Jumla (2370m)

05 Jumla to Danphe Langa (3130m): 5-6 hours

06 Danphe Langa to Chautha (2770m): 5-6 hours

07 Chautha to Dhotu (2380m): 4-5 hours

08 Dhotu to Rara Lake (3040m): 3-4 hours

09 Exploring Rara Lake (3040m)

10 Rest and explore Rara Lake as well as surrounding hills

11 Rara Lake to Ghorasingha (3190m): 4-5 hours

12 Ghorasingha to Sinja (2440m): 4-5 hours

13 Sinja to Jaljala (3270m): 5-6 hours

14 Jaljala to Jumla (2370m): 3-4 hours

15 Flight to Nepalgunj and back to Kathmandu

16 Leisure day in Kathmandu with guided half day city tour

17 Final Departure from Kathmandu

Additional information

Difficulty	All levels

Arrival in Kathmandu

Upon arrival in Kathmandu International Airport and you will be met by our representative who is waiting with a Nature Trail sign outside the terminal to meet and greet you and transfer you to the Hotel by private car. Welcome drink, and after you settle into the hotel there will be a group briefing with your tour leader. He will discuss the trek details, and coordinate any last-minute arrangements. Stay overnight at Hotel.

Full day guided Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu Valley

After breakfast in the hotel, drive to Swayambhunath Stupa which is very close form the center of Kathmandu. It takes 15 minutes to be there. This Temple is also known as Monkey Temple which is considered to be self-made Stupa. Then visit to Boudhanath Stupa: the biggest stupa in Nepal and one of the bigger stupa in the world. You can basically experience Tibetan Buddhism, culture and way of life in Boudhanath Area. Boudhanath is the authentic place to buy Tibetan stuffs. You may take lunch here. Further you will be visit Pashupatinath Temple before you back to your hotel. Pashupatinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it is one of the most sacred temples in the entire Hindu world. It is a sacred place where death bodies are cremated. The temple of Pashupatinath is a multi-roofed (Pagoda style), gilt and brass decorated, the gateway is plated with silver. There are images of Shiva along with other statues, shrines and temples that are dedicated to other deities in the complex. A circuit of the Pashupati area takes visitors past a sixth-century statue of the Buddha, an eight-century statue of Brahma the creator and numerous other temples. There are rows of Shiva shrines and Hindu pilgrims from all over south Asia offering ceremonies to worship Shiva, the Lord of Destruction. Stay overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj

Fight to Nepalgunj (40 minutes) which is largest town in western Nepal. Overnight in Hotel.

Flight from Nepalgunj to Jumla (2370m)

Early in the morning, we take a flight to Jumla (35 minutes), Jumla airport is one of the best Nepal’s remote airstrips-900m long and an easy approach- so flights operate more regularly than at places such as Lukla. This is the gateway to the wild northwest and one of the highest rice-growing areas in the world. The unique red rice is tastier than white rice but scorned by most Nepalis. Jumla Bazaar is 10 minutes more from airport and explores the Jumla Bazaar and surrounding area. Overnight at tented camp.

Trek from Jumla to Danphe Langa (3130m)

Today we start trek after having breakfast, the trail to Rara follows the north bank of Tila Khola, then turn up the other small stream. The Jumla Valley disappears behind the ridge as the trail follows the river, keeping fairly level and passing through fields and pine forests. Now trek begins an ascent up the Padmara Valley and becoming steeper as the climb continues. We have our lunch in proper place. Along the Padmara valley, the canyon becomes very narrow with vertical cliffs on both sides as the trail ascends through a deep forest of pines, spruces and firs. Finally we arrive in the last village of Padmara and we continue the trek until reaching Danphe Langa. Stay overnight at tented camp

Walking time: 5-6 hours

Trek from Danphe Langa to Chautha (2770m)

In the morning after breakfast, the trail descent becomes steep, through forests of firs, birches, walnuts and bamboo and some a short level stretch the trail zigzags down to the Sinja Khola, crossing it on a log bridge and follow the river downstream to Nyawre. Then we continue the serious climb, passing through marijuana fields and over a ridge into a side valley. Now the steep climbs continues for a while and the trail makes a turn into a big valley then descends until reaching Chautha. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 5-6 hours

Trek from Chautha to Dhotu (2380m)

In this day, the rocky trail follows the stream uphill, crossing it as the wooded valley becomes narrower. The climb continues to Bhulbhule where our permits are checked. Above Bhulbhule the trail emerges into an immense treeless meadow and climbs gently but steadily to an assortment of Chhortens, cairns and prayer flags atop the Ghurchi Lagna. From here, there are views of the Mugu Karnali River and snowy peaks bordering Tibet. The route descends gently on a broad path to a hut, and then drops precipitously down a rough trail through spruces forests. Follow the direct trail to Rara Lake, which stays more or less level through pine forests, and then descend to the Jhyari Khola and another stretch of easy walking leads to Dhoti. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 4-5 hours

Trek from Dhotu to Rara Lake (3040m)

This day, cross s stream and make a steep climb to Thakuri Village of jhyari, in a picturesque grove of giant cedars. Then continue climbing through cedar forests to a huge meadow a top ridge with a great view of Rara Lake. Descends on the northern side of the lake where camping ground is available. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 3-4 hours

Exploring Rara Lake (3040m)

Today we are exploring the largest lake of Nepal. It is almost 13km around the lake and a day devoted to making this circuit is well spent. There is a few parks wardens’ house, and the remnants of the now deserted villages of Rara and Chapra on the northern side of the lake, but otherwise it is an isolated region where birds, flowers and wildlife thrive. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Rest, and explore Rara Lake

Rest and explore Rara Lake as well as surrounding hills. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Trek from Rara Lake to Ghorasingha (3190m)

In the morning after breakfast, we make a more rewarding circuit via a different trail. From the bridge at the western end of Rara Lake the trail follows the Nisa Khola and the trail ascends to Murma. Then the trail descends gradually to the river, cross the river on a log bridge, and then cross another stream beside a decrepit mill. A small trail leads straight up the hill, climbing through pine, then spruce and rhododendron forests. Now the trail becomes less steep ascent, then cross meadows to ridge from where views of western Himalaya in clear weather and Rara Lake far below as the trail skirts the head of a huge valley to the crest of the Ghurchi Mara. Then the route follow the main trail as it drops into the Ghatta Valley, then heads towards Ghorosingha. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 4-5 hours

Trek from Ghorasingha to Sinja (2440m)

This route heads down the Ghatta Valley from Ghorosingha, then follows the Sinja Khola downstream to Sinja. It is then a short walk down the fertile valley, on a renovated trail through a heavily populated region to the Brahmin and Chherti village of Sinja, on the banks of the Sinja Khola. From the 12th to the 14th centuries, Sinja was the capital of the Malla dynasty that ruled western Nepal. The ruins of the palace can be seen across the river. The large temple at the top of a promontory is the Bhagwati Than, dedicated to Bhagwati, the goddess of justice who rises atop a tiger. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 4-5 hours

Trek from Sinja to Jaljala (3270m)

In this day, the trail crosses the Sinja Khola on a wooden cantilever bridge, and then begins a long trip up the Dhobi Khola. Then the trail crosses back and forth across the river on a series of log bridges and passing a few scattered houses and barley and corn fields. From Chala Chaur, a meadow with a few herders’ huts and the trail climbs steeply to Jaljala, a gigantic meadow full of grazing horses. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 5-6 hours

Trek from Jaljala to Jumla (2370m)

Today, we keep climbing through forests to another meadow, just below the ridge, then descends to a few houses of Chauri Khola. Cross a stream and contour around the head of valley, staying high eventually crossing another ridge to rejoin the upward high trail at Chere. The final descends to Jumla. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 3-4 hours

Fly from Jumla to Nepalgunj and afternoon fly back to Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel.

Early in the morning fly to Nepalgunj and have a lunch. Then again afternoon fly to Kathmandu and our guide take you in the Hotel by private car.

Take leisure day in Kathmandu

Take leisure day in Kathmandu with guided half day city tour around the valley. Overnight at Hotel.

Final Departure from Kathmandu

Your trip will come to an end today after breakfast. Your leader will be on hand to advise and assist with your onward travel arrangements and transfer to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport by our private van around 3 hours before your flight schedule and flight back to your home/other travel destination.

Rara Lake Trekking:
Rara Lake one of the most beautiful destinations for remote trekking in Nepal. It is known as Rara national park and well conserved. The Rara Lake is largest lake in Nepal inside of Nepal’s smallest national park. The trekking trail is off beaten trekking route and affords glimpses of culture and landscape very different from other parts of Nepal.

Rara Lake goes as deep as 167 meters in some places, and drains into the river Mugu Karnali via Nijar Khola. The Rara National Park is by rare species such as the red panda, common langur, and rhesus macaque. The lake is surrounded with beautiful forest and varieties of trees such as Rhododendron, juniper, oak, spruce and cyprus, who make up the rich vegetation of this area.

Rara trekking is in a restricted area, to get the experience of that beautiful nature most have to get a special permit from the Nepal government. Nature Trail as Government Registered company, will organize your trekking with all necessary stuff such as trekking permits, kitchen gears, supporters, camping gears etc.

About Nature Trail Responsible operation:
At Nature Trail we supply you with everything you need for a successful trek, experienced guides, porters, equipment and food. All of our treks are environmental friendly. To ensure Rara Lake’s nature stays as beautiful as it is, we take all the trash that we bring to the mountain back with us again. It is our greatest pleasure to make your Rara trekking adventure a safe and fun experience while hiking up to Rara Lake and National Park area.

Price & Service Details:

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION

Kathmandu

JOIN GROUP

3 before departure from Kathmandu.

SERVICE INCLUDES

All local transfers, pick up drops

Trekking Information Management System Fee (TIMS Fee)

National park Conservation Fee, including Humla and Rara National Park Permits, special permits etc.

Tented camp accommodation during the trek with all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

1 night accommodation in Nepalganja, 2 nights accommodation in Simikot/JumlaKathmandu on Standard hotels/lodges.

Services of English speaking trekking guide and porter (one porter for two people and the maximum weight carry by one porter is total 25kg)

Accommodation, meals (warm daily cooked meals in campsite, insurance, equipment and allowance of guide and porters, Yaks and Yakmans.

Sleeping bag and down jacket if necessary.

All tents for camp including kitchen, dinning, and staffs tents

Just incase of any emergency, back up and supports such as any alternative arrangement services, helicopter bookingfl, alternative flight booking etc.

First Aid-medical services

All cooking and kitchen utensils

All applicable government taxes and service charges.

SERVICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Any accommodation and meals in Kathmandu

Any sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.

Any international and domestic airfare

Your personal travel insurance and medical.

Bottled drinks (mineral water, any cold drinks, and alcoholic drinks).

Expenses of personal nature such as tips for guide, porter, and driver, laundry, bar bill, telephone calls etc.

Liability for expenses against sickness, flight cancellation, road blockage, accidents, and other occurrence, beyond our control.

Nepal visa fee.

Any other optional services not mentioned above as included.

Tour Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Rara Lake Trekking

Outline Itinerary: