Rara Lake Trek
Established in 1979, Rara National Park is called after the breathtaking lake at its center, the largest in Nepal, whose crystalline waters lay at an elevation of 2,990 meters. The park maintains not only the beauty and allure of the lake, but also a significant portion of the rich flora and wildlife of central Himalaya. As such, it provides a superb opportunity to explore a panoramic and tranquil region that resembles a Maxfield Parrish painting brought to life.
The Rara Lake walk is one of the most unusual and exciting of all treks, as it focuses on communing with Nepal's forests and lakes rather than the more common mountain trails. Less busy and relatively undisturbed, the trail meanders tranquilly through glades of juniper, spruce, and pine, with the ever-present Himalayan peaks on one side and the pure waters of Rara Lake on the other.
The journey begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, followed by another flight from Nepalgunj to Jumla the next day. From there, we go on a trek to Chere Chaur and Chalachaur over the course of the following days, ascending Sinja Valley through mountain trails en route to our primary destination, Rara Lake. We utilize a combination of teahouses and individual homestays for lodging and meals en route, adding a cultural touch that accentuates the uniqueness of the experience. After completing the lake's circumnavigation, the trek descends to Jumla for the return route to Kathmandu.
Rara Lake Trek Highlights
The Rara Lake Trek is a remote and off-the-beaten-path trekking route in the far-western region of Nepal. The main highlight of the trek is, of course, Rara Lake itself, which is the largest lake in Nepal and offers stunning natural beauty. Here are some of the highlights of the Rara Lake Trek.
Rara Lake: The centerpiece of the trek, Rara Lake is a pristine alpine lake surrounded by lush forests, towering peaks, and peaceful serenity. The clear blue waters of the lake, along with the reflection of the surrounding mountains, create a breathtaking scene.
Natural Diversity: The trek takes you through diverse landscapes, including pine and rhododendron forests, high alpine meadows, and rugged terrains. The contrast between the various ecosystems adds to the beauty of the trek.
Flora and Fauna: The Rara region is home to a variety of wildlife, including musk deer, Himalayan black bear, red panda, and numerous bird species. The trek offers opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
Shey Phoksundo National Park: The trekking route falls within the Shey Phoksundo National Park, a protected area that houses unique ecosystems, flora, and fauna. The park's conservation efforts contribute to the pristine nature of the region.
Cultural Encounters: Along the way, you'll pass through villages inhabited by local communities, including Thakuri and Magar. This provides opportunities to learn about their cultures, traditions, and way of life.
Peaceful Wilderness: The Rara Lake region is relatively less visited by trekkers, offering a peaceful and remote trekking experience away from the crowds.
Chuchemara Ridge: The trek includes a hike to Chuchemara Ridge, which provides panoramic views of Rara Lake and the surrounding mountains. The viewpoint is a highlight for photography.
Beautiful Campsites: The trekking route has camping sites with stunning views, allowing you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region.
Off-the-Beaten-Path: The Rara Lake Trek is ideal for trekkers looking to explore a lesser-known and less-touristy area, providing a more authentic and tranquil experience.
Tibetan Influence: The region's proximity to the Tibetan border has led to cultural and architectural influences from Tibet, adding a unique touch to the trek.
The Best time for Rara Lake Trek
The best time for the Rara Lake Trek is during the pre-monsoon spring season (March to May) and the post-monsoon autumn season (September to November). These months offer the most favorable weather and trekking conditions for a successful and enjoyable trek. Both spring and autumn offer excellent trekking conditions, and your choice between the two depends on your preferences. Spring is known for its vibrant flora, lush landscapes, and blooming flowers, while autumn provides clear skies, pleasant temperatures, and excellent photography opportunities.
Duration : 14 days | Activity : Trekking/Hiking | Trip Date : Flexible |
Private Trip : Available | Group Trip : Available | Stay : Tea House/ Hotel |
Program Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Nepal.
When you arrive at Tibhuvan International Airport, our guide will pick you up and take you to your hotel in the bustling Thamel district of Kathmandu. Depending on your arrival time, you can choose to relax for the next journey, see the city's attractions, or shop for adventure gear in one of Kathmandu's many adventure supply stores. We'll assemble our bikes and be ready for the journey in the afternoon.
Day 2 - Fly to Nepalgunj.
Day 3 - Fly to Jumla(2,540m) then trek to Chere Chaur(3055m).
Day 4 - Trek to Chalachaur(2980m ).
Day 5 - Trek to Sinja Valley(2490m).
Day 6 - Trek to Ghorosingha(3050m).
Day 7 - Trek to Rara Lake(3010m).
Day 8 - Explore Rara Lake.
Day 9 - Trek to Pina(2440m).
Day 10 - Trek to Bumra(2850m).
Day 11 - Tek to Jumla(2540m).
Day 12 - Fly From Juphal To Nepalgunj; Return Trip To Kathmandu In The Afternoon..
Day 13 - Weather-Related Flight Delay And Cancellation Buffer Day.
Day 14 - Departure from Nepal.
Include/Exclude
Price Includes
- All necessary ground transfers.
- All necessary accommodations as per the itinerary.
- Tea House accommodations during the trek.
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trekking.
- All necessary paper works.
- All necessary trekking permits.
- Experienced and First Aid-trained trekking guide.
- Strong, helpful porters.
- Comprehensive medical supplies.
- Trekking map.
- Insurance of all local team.
- Warm clothing and trekking gear for staff.
- Sleeping bag and trip duffle bag.
- Trekking certificate issued by us.
- Welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
Price Excludes
- Nepal Visa fee.
- International flights.
- All meals not mentioned in inclusions.
- Personal expenses not stipulated.
- Optional add-ons.
- Gratuities.
Guest Reviews
Lisa G
My dad and myself did plan to trek the Annapurna Circuit from Jagat to Jomsom and booked the trip via Raj and Getaway Nepal Adventure. While organizing everything in advance went smooth from the very beginning, we were amazed by the organisation of the whole trip once we arrived in Nepal - starting with a pick-up service in Kathmandu airport, also wisely chosing our guide and our porter (Manisha and Dai) which both were a perfect match to accompany us on our trekking. Both were very thoughtful and we felt like a companionship from the very beginning, but also very professional when it came to all concerns regarding the hike, like proper acclimatisation, the daily hike and everything besides. Overall organisation has been extraordinary and there hasn't been anything where Raj was not able to support (even after the trip has finished).
This really has been a once-in-a-lifetime trip and we were so happy to have this with Manisha and Dai. If ever planning to do a trekking in Nepal again (and we would love to do soon) we definitely would book with Raj again and his company one more time.
Aussie Couple
Raj and his team are awesome. Especially after seeing how other travel companies in Nepal have functioned, not only are they on top of everything, but the guides and porters working with the company are treated really well. The morning we were meant to leave for Lukla, the plane kept getting delayed. By 9 am our guides had a chopper organised to take us, where we later chatted to people who only got on one at around 2 pm and ended up hiking in the dark. We also saw multiple porters carrying more than one duffle bag, however, this company limits it to one, for the wellbeing of the porters. I cannot recommend this company enough.