Simikot Rara Lake Trek
This trek takes you through the Southern Humla region, offering incredible views of foothills, hills, mountains, lush forests, and arid lands. The trail follows the Karnali River, which is the longest river in Nepal. Along the way, it passes through several village settlements inhabited by different ethnic groups such as Khasas, Thakuris, Brahmins, and Byansis. The journey concludes at Rara Lake, the largest lake in Nepal, located within the boundaries of Rara National Park. The area serves as a habitat for numerous species of trees, plants, birds, and animals.
Alternatively, this trek can also be undertaken in reverse, beginning from either Mugu or Jumla and ascending from there. To travel from Kathmandu to Simikot, most travelers typically need to fly through Nepalgunj, the regional hub of Western Nepal. There is no direct air service available between Kathmandu and Simikot. Flights from Nepalgunj to Simikot always depart early in the morning. Therefore, it is necessary for us to spend a night in Nepalgunj in order to catch the early morning flight the following day.
Simikot-Rara Lake Trek Highlights
The Simikot-Rara Lake Trek is a unique and off-the-beaten-path trekking route in Nepal that takes you from the remote town of Simikot to the pristine Rara Lake, the largest lake in Nepal. This trek offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and a sense of adventure. Here are some of the highlights of the Simikot-Rara Lake Trek.
Remote Landscape: The trek takes you through remote and rugged landscapes, providing a sense of isolation and tranquility as you journey through relatively untouched areas.
Rara Lake: The centerpiece of the trek is Rara Lake, a stunning alpine lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks and lush forests. Its clear blue waters and serene surroundings create a breathtaking sight.
Rich Biodiversity: The Rara region is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including different species of birds, mammals, and colorful flowers. You might spot wildlife such as red pandas, Himalayan tahr, and musk deer.
Cultural Diversity: The trek passes through villages inhabited by different ethnic groups, including the Thakuri and Magar communities. This provides opportunities to learn about their cultures, traditions, and way of life.
Unique Route: The Simikot-Rara Lake Trek is less frequented by trekkers, offering a more authentic and secluded experience away from the crowds.
High Passes: The trek involves crossing high passes and traversing challenging terrains, adding an adventurous element to the journey.
Natural Beauty: The landscapes vary from terraced fields and dense forests to high alpine meadows. The ever-changing scenery keeps the trek interesting.
Remote Villages: The trek passes through remote villages where you can interact with locals, observe their daily lives, and learn about their traditional practices.
Off-the-Beaten-Path: If you're looking for a trek that's off the beaten path and offers a quieter and more secluded experience, the Simikot-Rara Lake Trek is an excellent choice.
The Best time for Simikot-Rara Lake Trek
The best time for the Simikot-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 : 19 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 - Kathmandu to Nepalgunj flight.
Day 3 - Flight distance from Nepalgunj to Jukla is 2,370 feet..
Day 4 - Jumla to Danphe Langa (3130m).
Day 5 - Trek from Danphe Langa to Chautha, 2770 meters in altitude..
Day 6 - Trek between Chautha and Dhotu (2380m).
Day 7 - Dhotu to Rara Lake (3040m).
Day 8 - Exploration of Lake Rara.
Day 9 - From Rara Lake to the Karnali River Camp.
Day 10 - Riverside Camp to Bam (2700m).
Day 11 - Bam to Jogimara (3005m).
Day 12 - Jogimara to Piplan (1700m).
Day 13 - Trek between Piplan and Apsia Lekh (3200m).
Day 14 - Apsia Lekh to Punkha Khola.
Day 15 - The route from Punkha Khola to River Camp.
Day 16 - The route from River Camp to Simikot (2900m).
Day 17 - Flight between Simikot and Kathmandu by way of Nepalgunj (1330m).
Day 18 - Free day in Kathmandu.
Day 19 - 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.