Rara Lake is a unique spot in Nepal. It protects some of the most beautiful alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems of the Himalaya.
The lake is situated in the Rara lake National Park. Rara Lake is the largest lake of Nepal, situated in Mugu district in the far western region of Nepal, near district-headquarter Gam Ghadi and Talcha airport and about 3-4 days of walking from Jumla.The length of the lake is 5 kilometers and it is 2 kilometers wide. The surface is around 8 square kilometer, the perimeter 9 kilometer, the altitude around 3060 meters and the depth is 167 meters. The centerpiece is the pristine Lake Rara, also Known as Mahendra Tal, the biggest lake in Nepal. It is so huge that the other end of the lake is hard to see. The lake is surrounded by richly forested hills, Chuchemara Danda at 4,087 meters is the best vantage point to get stunning views of the lake and the thickly forested hillsides and the snow-capped peaks around it. The National Park is one of the best places in Nepal to see wildlife: musk deer, leopards, ghoral, tahr, Himalayan black bear, and the rare red panda are all native. The park is also a birdwatcher’s delight, especially during November and April when many species of birds visit during their seasonal migration. The park is also a birdwatcher’s delight, especially during November and April when many species of birds visit during their seasonal migration.
Duration: 7 to 10 Day Trek
Access: 1 hour flight. Next day 35 minute flight.
Starting Altitude: 2,370 m (7,820 feet)
Peak Altitude: 3130m (10,330 feet)
Itinerary in detail
See the Overall Tour Summary for details on itinerary for before and after your selected trek.
Day 1: Trek from Jumla to Danphe Langa 3130m/5-6 hours.
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.
Day 2: Trek from Danphe Langa to Chautha 2770m/5-6 hours.
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.
Day 3: Trek from Chautha to Dhotu 2380m/4-5 hours.
In this day, the rocky trail follows the stream uphill, crossing it as the wooded valley becomes narrower. The climb continues to the Bhulbule where entry our permit and above Bhulbule 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 Dhotu. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 4: Trek from Dhotu to Rara Lake 3040m/3-4 hours.
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.
Day 5: 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 nowdeserted 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.
Day 6: Rest and explore Rara Lake as well as surrounding hills.
Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 7: Trek from Rara Lake to Ghorasingha 3190m/4-5 hours.
In the morning after breakfast, we make more rewarding a 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.
Day 8: Trek from Ghorasingha to Sinja 2440m/4-5 hours.
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.
Day 9: Trek from Sinja to Jaljala 3270m/5-6 hours.
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.
Day 10: Trek from Jaljala to Jumla 2370m/3-4 hours.
Today, 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.