Rara Lake Trek

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53 reviews
8 reviews
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Duration
15 Days
Trip Grade
Moderate
Country
Nepal
Maximum Altitude
3,010m/9,875ft
Group Size
1-25
Activities
Trekking

For nature lovers and tranquillity seekers, the Rara Lake trek offered by Orbit Alpine Adventure is an undeniable trip. Rara Lake region features the beautiful countryside and montage landscape in the remote Jumla District lying in northwestern Nepal. The trek actually begins from Jumla where you can reach by flying from Kathmandu via Nepalgunj. From Jumla, you start the journey on foot and head further north, enjoying excellent views of snow-capped mountains of the Dolpo region.

Rara Lake Sinja Valley trek takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List under the cultural category since 2008. Sinja Valley is a pristine valley where the Nepali Language, the national language of Nepal was originated. Visiting this valley rewards you with the ancient caves protecting Buddhist chaityas and cliff inscriptions. You can witness the traditional rites of the Masto (Shamans) in many of the stone temples.

The main attraction of this trip is the pristine Rara Lake, which is Nepal’s largest lake situated inside Rara National Park. Nepal’s smallest national park located in Mugu District, this alpine freshwater lake houses some of the endemic fish species of Nepal. The lake is surrounded by lush forests of pine, spruce and juniper trees inhabited by large variety of wildlife.

Rara Lake is surrounded by Chuchemara Peak (4,019m) on the south as well as Ruma Kand and Malika Kand peaks on the northern side. The image of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks to the water body is so beautiful that one can hardly express in words. Moreover, Rara National Park itself is a perfect haven for the endangered red panda and musk deer, and other animal species. You can see Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, Himalayan tahr, wild yellow-throated martin, langur, otter, and nearly 200 bird species.

Rara Lake has been a growing touristic destination to promote Nepalese tourism and bring change in the local people’s lives. It got publicity and flow of the national plus international tourists when the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) conducted Rara Lake Festival in early 2007. Initially, it used to be a completely a camping trekking as the infrastructures of tourism were not developed. However, nowadays, there are teahouses built on the way to Rara Lake trekking region, so, it is now a complete teahouse trekking. To give you a unique experience of camping trekking, Orbit Alpine Adventure has designed 15 days’ itinerary.

Nowadays, you can do Rara Lake Overland Tour in a private jeep by driving from Kathmandu to Rara Lake directly. Driving takes you through Surkhet, Manma, Gamgadhi and finally to Rara Lake within 7 days and above. You can do many things on and around the largest freshwater lake of Nepal to make this jeep tour in Nepal. You can experience boating on Rara Lake, cycling around the banks, horse riding, and jungle safari. Likewise, village tour around Rara National Park and hiking to Murma Top are other activities to do while you are around the premises of Rara Lake. We provide Rara Lake jeep tour itinerary from 7 days to above as per your desire.

Despite its incomparable natural treasures, this remote trek of Nepal is very less frequented by tourists than other regions. This is a perfect destination for those who care more about authentic experiences than fancy features or luxury. Therefore, we invite you for an unforgettable Rara Lake trekking to enjoy absolute wilderness plus unadulterated Nepalese culture. You can customize this trek to Rara Lake Limi Valley trek, Upper Dolpo Rara Lake trek and Rara Lake Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, etc.

Highlights

  • Best trekking for nature lovers and tranquillity seekers
  • Discovery of the ancient Sinja Valley from where the Nepali Language originated from
  • Visiting the Masto (Shamans) in the stone temples of Sinja Valley
  • Exploration of the largest freshwater lake of Nepal having endemic fish species
  • Flora and fauna of Rara National Park, the smallest national park of Nepal
  • Unadulterated Nepalese culture and absolute wilderness
  • Stunning view of the snowcapped peaks of the northern Himalayas
Rara Lake Trek Itinerary
Day-to-DayExpand all

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to the hotel. After refreshments, our guide will give you a briefing about Rara Lake Trek. Later, you can then go for a little walk and have dinner.

Max Altitude: 1,350m/4,429ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Three Star Hotel

Kathmandu is the historical and cultural center of the country. It is a popular destination for tourists, trekkers and adventure seekers. With a fusion of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western cultural influences, Kathmandu is a sight to behold. Today you will spend seeing some UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley.

Max Altitude: 1,350m/4,429ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Three Star Hoter

In the afternoon we take a 1-hour scenic flight to Nepalgunj, a growing town located in western Nepal. It is the gateway to Kailash via Simikot. Transfer to a hotel for the night.

Max Altitude: 150m/492ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: HotelDuration: 55 Minutes

After breakfast, we go the Airport and catch a flight to Jumla. One of the least developed districts in Nepal, most parts of Jumla are still not explored. We stay for the night at Jumla with full board meal.

Max Altitude: 2,540m/8,333ft Meals: Breakfast, lunch, DinnerAccommodation: TeahouseDuration: 5 Hours

After breakfast we begin our trek to Chere Chaur. The journey starts with a hike along the Jugad river. The route passes through green forest, beautiful villages & markets and monasteries. The landscapes are simply amazing. We stay for the night at a camp in Chere Chaur.

Max Altitude: 3,050m/10,007ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: CampingDuration: 5 Hours

On this day, we start our trek after a hot breakfast. Our trail takes altitude until we arrive at Jaljala Pass at 3,580 m. We then continue straight to Jaljala Charu, rest a bit and then ascend to Chala Chaur where we camp for the night.

Accommodation: CampingDuration: 6 Hours

We start the trek with a hike to Sinja Valley after passing through several settlements and dense forest along the Jaljala stream. The Valley of Sinja is the ancient capital of Khasa Kingdom. Rulers from Sinja were the supreme power who ruled this region in the 12th, 13th and 14th century.

Sinja Valley is the cultural site of Nepal that is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since January 30, 2008. Nepali Language, the national tongue of Nepal and its grammar was originated from this valley, which is a historically important site. You can still visit the caves preserving ancient Buddhist chaityas and cliff inscriptions. Sinja Valley is famous for the traditional rites of the Masto (Shamans) in many of the stone temples. Stay overnight at tented camps.

Max Altitude: 2,485m/8,153ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: CampingDuration: 7 Hours

After breakfast, we continue our trek uphill along Hima River by crossing Laha village. Beautiful forests and valleys can be seen along our route until we cross a suspension bridge and stay overnight on tented camps.

Max Altitude: 3,050m/10,007ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: CampingDuration: 7 Hours

We begin the trek immediately after breakfast. First we pass through Chuchhema Danda, a good vantage point to watch the mountain ranges. It is here that we get glimpses of the lake. On the way we passes through Khatyar stream and a few other villages including Murma. We stay overnight at tented camp on the shores of beautiful Lake Rara.

Max Altitude: 3,010m/9,875ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: CampingDuration: 6 Hours

Today you will explore around Rara, the largest freshwater lake in Nepal. It is located at an altitude of 2,290 meters above the sea level with a surface area of nearly 11 square kilometers. We can take a boat in the lake or if you like, we can go swimming on waters close to the shore. If we have our fishing hook, we can try catching some fishes as well. Above all, you should not forget to take a hike around the lake for unique stunning views of snowcapped peaks in the background. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Max Altitude: 3,010m/9,875ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Camping

After breakfast we begin our trek to to the village of Pina. First, the trail is easy until Gamgadi, the headquarters of Mugu district. Then the trail is a bit coarse until we reach Pina where we camp for the night.

Max Altitude: 2,435m/7,989ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: CampingDuration: 6 Hours

After breakfast, we begin the trek with a crossing of Ghurchi Lagna Pass at 3,485 meters. The views are beautiful with mountain ranges and later, the trek is moderate until we reach the beautiful village of Bumra. We stay overnight at Bumra in tented camps.

Max Altitude: 2,850m/9,350ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DineerAccommodation: CampingDuration: 6 Hours

We start our final day of hike after breakfast along Hima River and cross a suspension bridge. The trail then descends to hot springs where you can take enjoy the natural hot bath and provide some relief to the body. After the bath, we continue our hike by crossing Danphe Lagna Pass (3,690m) before reach Jumla for an overnight stay in tented camps.

Max Altitude: 2,514m/8,248ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: CampingDuration: 6 Hours

Catch an early morning flight from Jumla to Nepalgunj and take a connecting flight to Kathmandu. As soon as you land at the airport, our staff will pick you up and take to the hotel. You can spend the rest of the day around Thamel or just stay at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Farewell DinnerAccommodation: Three Star HotelDuration: 2 Hours

After breakfast, our staff will take you to the airport three hours before your scheduled flight back home.

Meals: Breakfast
Cost Details
Includes
  • Free airport pick up upon your arrival and departure back to home
  • All local flight ticket and ground private transportation is included
  • Private ground transportation for Kathmandu valley sightseeing
  • Kathmandu city guide provided for kathmandu valley city tour
  • Well experience English speaking special license holder trekking guide, potter, kitchen staff and donkey for carrying guest luggage, Tent and food items for trekking
  • Three night hotel in Kathmandu two night hotel in Nepaljung three star level with breakfast
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and tent accommodation during the trek is included
  • All kinds of government permit for the Rara lake trek is included, also national park fee
  • During the trek if needed we can provide for a guest down jacket on hire that needs to be returned after finishing the trek.
  • Duffel bags and trekking sticks are provided from Orbit Alpine Adventure without any cost
  • Guide, potter, donkeys food, salary, tent accommodation along with insurance are provided
Excludes
  • Guest international flight ticket fair
  • Guest emergency evacuation insurance but we will assist you if need emergency evacuation with your insurance company and give all the details information to your family about the situation
  • All kinds of alcoholic drinks, chocolate and snacks
  • If you have to take any regular medicine that is not included and you need to be sure before leaving for trekking and take it with you from Kathmandu or bring it from home
  • In case of an early arrival in the city from your trek, an extra night of city hotel is not included and there will not be any refund because of your problem of early return back from trekking
  • Extra night at the hotel and if incase of changing flight tickets due to early return or late return to home we will not make any refund of money. All the cost has to be managed by the guest
  • Tips and donations to the hotel, restaurant and trekking area are not included. Guide and potter are expected tips at the end of trekking and it is not fixed but depends on your financial condition and their services during the trekking and tour
Essential Information

For price quotation and further details please contact us.

Rara Lake Trek FAQs

Rara Lake trekking lies in the northwestern part of Nepal in the remote region of Karnali Province. It takes you to the largest lake of Nepal located in the Rara National Park which is inhabited by a large variety of wildlife and vegetation. This off the beaten path trek lies between popular Limi Valley trek and Dolpo region trekking that you can even customize this trek up to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Talking about Rara Lake trekking difficulty, it is a moderate type of trekking which can be made by the beginners also. The highest altitude to cross is 3,050 metres (Gorusinghe and Chere Chaur) before you reach Rara Lake, an alpine freshwater lake. There is not any high Himalayan pass that you need previous trekking experience and climbing gears as well as mountaineering technique.

Rara Lake is situated in the hidden gem, Karnali of Nepal at an altitude of 3,010 metres from the sea level.

No, you can’t drive the whole way to Rara Lake because there is no road access to due to the geographical complexities. You can fly from Nepalgunj to either Talcha Airport of Mugu or Jumla Airport. From Talcha Airport, you can reach the lake by walking for four hours. Similarly, from Jumla Airport, you can catch a jeep or bus up to Gamgadhi, the administrative headquarters of Mugu, and walk for about five hours to reach Rara Lake.

If you want to experience the roadway transportation, you can drive along the Karnali Highway from Nepalgunj to Kalikot. From Kalikot, you catch another bus to Nagma and finally to Gamgadhi. To reach the Rara Lake, you must hike for about five years from Gamgadhi.

Although it can be done throughout the year, the best time for Rara Lake trekking is spring and autumn. Rara Lake trek in autumn gives you the pleasant view of the snowcapped peaks and the wonderful landscapes while enjoying the cool breeze. If you do Rara Lake trek in spring, Rara National Park is extremely decorated with the varieties of flowering plants.

Rara Lake trekking rewards you with the wonderful natural and cultural attractions. The less crowded trekking trails going past the pastoral villages, the largest alpine freshwater lake of Nepal and a national park are the most appealing beauty of this region. You can observe the three species of endemic fish of Nepal in Rara Lake together with diverse flora and fauna of Rara National Park. You can relish the snowcapped mountains standing as the natural border between Nepal and Tibetan Autonomous Region.

Rara Lake trek is completely a teahouse trekking although you can experience camping trekking to reach this region. The teahouses are developed on all the stopovers that they provide basic facilities of food and accommodation during the trek. Until you leave Nepalgunj and after reaching Rara Lake, you can find the better facilities of food and lodging. However, during Rara Lake trekking, you can relish the organic food items according to your appetite.

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