Rara Lake Trek

Upon arrival at international airport, our waiting support team will meet and greet you at the airport assist and transfer to the Hotel.

Trekking preparation and permit organize day. Please, check your insurance details and have a copy of your travel medical insurance policy with you.

As per the day’s flight schedule, we will transfer to the domestic airport for a one and half hour scenic flight to Nepalgunj. We will have time in the late afternoon or evening to have a look around the town which is situated on the southern Nepal border with India, and stay overnight in this transit city.

After a lovely overnight stay in Nepalgunj, we make an early morning transfer to the airport for the 45 minute flight to Jumla over the Himalayan foothills, with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks to the north. Then, our trekking staffs, who have walked all the way from Nepalgunj with the camping gear and food supply, will receive you. Jumla is located in a delightful valley and here are some of the highest limits of paddy cultivation, growing red rice. This is also the administrative headquarters of the entire Karnali zone and Jumla district.

We start our journey by following the north bank of the Tila Khola River and then turning north to follow the Chaudhabise Khola, passing through fields and pine forests. Then we will ascend upwards the Padmara valley. The trail keeps following the river until we arrive at the small village of Uthugaon, where we will have a good campsite close to the school on the opposite side of the river for an overnight stay.

Today, we follow the trail through the narrow canyon to the village of Padmara. Then we climb up to the Khali Lagna pass at 3,550m through a deep forest of pines, spruces, and firs. Soon after this pass, both routes come together and the trail descends gently through mixed forest of spruces, birches and rhododendrons to arrive at our campsite at Danphe Lagna.

Our trails descend steeply passing through fir, birch, walnut, and bamboo forests until a bridge. Then we follow the river downstream before starting a serious climb passing some water-driven mills to Kabra. Here you can see a huge overhanging rock which is the source of Silajit, a mineral which is believed to have healing properties. Now, from here, our climb continues for a while and then levels out before Bhara village and then descend to the Chauro Khola River to the village of Chautha for our overnight stay.

We continue following the stream uphill to Bhulbule, which is Rara National Park entrance station at 3,130m. Then trail continues climbing gently to Ghurchi Lagna pass at 3,450m, which is covered with chortens (round stone Buddhist reliquary mounds) and prayer flags. From the top, we descend gently at first before dropping down steeply through spruce forests. Our camp will set at the small settlement of Dhotu village.

This is a short and pleasant trek with fine views to the mountains. We traverse a steep north facing slope from Dhotu, and cross a series of fields down to a small stream. After crossing the bridge, the trail climbs up to the Thakuri village of Jhyari and again climbs steadily up through a cedar forest to a huge meadow atop a 3,050m ridge with great overhead views of Rara Lake. We will follow the trail along to the northern side of the Lake, where the park headquarters is located and our camp is to be set up.

This is the goal of our trip. As the largest lake in Nepal, it is almost 13 km around the lake and a day devoted to walk around it is well spent. Rara is designated a national park and since 1975 this region has offered remoteness and a wilderness experience unlike any other region of Nepal. Here birds, flowers and wildlife flourish while the Himalayan bears, Serows, Gorals, Musk Deer, Red Pandas and both Rhesus and Langur Monkeys are the main attraction of this trek. The 180 meter deep Rara Lake is a habitat for otters and an important resting place for wandering water fowl.

After explore the Rara Lake the trail will follow the Khatyar Khola River and slowly descend before we climb out following a small trail surrounded by pine, spruce and rhododendron forests. Then, we follow the trail dropping into the Ghatta valley heading towards the small settlement of Gorusingha where we can see several excellent campsites.

Today, our journey keeps heading down the Ghatta valley from Gorusingha following the Sinja Khola River downwards to Sinja. Sinja was the capital of the Malla dynasty 12th to 14th century, which ruled western Nepal. We can see remains of the old palace across the river. That is not all there is however. There is also an interesting temple here dedicated to Bhagwati, the goddess of justice who rides atop a tiger.

After breakfast, the trail crosses the Sinja Khola on a wooden plank bridge and passes a few small villages, the trail crosses back and forth across the river on a series of old-fashioned log bridges. Today, most of the trek goes through forest of pine, birch and oak and fields of barley and corn. At last the trail makes a steep climb to Jaljala Chaur, a gigantic meadow full of horses. We make camp at Laljala Chaur.

This is our last day of the trek. At first we keep climbing through forest to yet another meadow, just below the ridge at 3,510m then a pleasant descent to Jumla to camp overnight. We will celebrate this last day with all our crew.

Today, early in the morning, we take a 30 minute sweeping flight to Nepalgunj, over the Himalayan foothills. We can catch stunning views of the snow capped peaks. On arrival at Nepalgunj the flight to Kathmandu depends on the connecting flight schedule. If our flight is in the afternoon, then we will have time, a few hours, for refreshment in the comfort of the Hotel at Nepalgunj. We then connect with flight back to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel.

In this pleasant day you may have full day at leisure either relax at hotel or explore the around Thamel. Today is day of ending your journey, so we would like offer you farewell dinner in Nepali typical Restaurant and hand over you Trip Certificate, Trekking Permit and TIMS Card for memory of Nepal trip. Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until departure flight/drive. Our assist will be transfer to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination, taking with you the memory of a life time.