Skip to main content

Rara Lake Trek

one of the most pristine lakes in the country, surrounded by evergreen trees with a view of mountains in the backdrop

TR#210.

Rara Lake Trek Overview

Rara Lake (2980m) is one of the most beautiful lakes in Nepal and also the highest in altitude. Rara lake trekking involves traversing the remote trails of western Nepal where few trekkers venture out due to its remoteness. But it’s one of the most pristine lakes in the country, surrounded by evergreen trees with a view of mountains in the backdrop. Those looking for wilderness and solitude will find this to be the ideal journey.

Along the trail one comes across local ethnic groups living in picturesque villages who survive under harsh conditions adapting to the high altitude. The Rara Lake Trek lead through many ups and downs from hilltops to deep valleys walking through pine, spruce and juniper forests. This is an ideal trek for birdwatchers as well.

Rara Lake has one of the clearest water in the world, yet it changes colors three times a day, and the lake’s backdrop is always changing.

Apart from the region around the lake, this journey passes through exceedingly dry terrain due to its location in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna peaks. From near-by areas of the lake, views of Chucchemara Peak, Ruma Kand, and Malika Kand are visible.

Unlike the Everest Base Camp Trek  and other Treks in Nepal , the Rara Lake Trek is a pleasant trek that attracts few tourists. A reasonable level of fitness is sufficient to finish the trek because the paths are at relatively low altitude.

Best Time to go on Rara Lake Trek

The best time to go on Rara Lake Trek are in the spring (September to October) and autumn (March to May). The weather will be pleasant during this time, and you will have beautiful views of the Himalayas reflected in the lake. The region is covered in colorful Rhododendrons that bloom in the spring, adding distinct and unmatched beauty to the area around the lake.

Rara Lake Trekking Route

The 9-day trek is preceded by a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj followed by another short flight from Nepalgunj to Jumla. The trek begins from Jumla, through the less traveled wilderness of west Nepal and the highest point reached is 3,710m.

Rara presents a destination unlike any other with no permanent residents along the lake. The azure sky is reflected in the crystal clear waters of the lake complemented by the greenery of the forest around it.

During winter the landscape turns even more enchanting with snow on the surrounding ridges. Walking through the Rara National Park which was established in 1975, one comes across forest covered high ridges and lush alpine pastures.

Rara Lake Trek Accommodation and Permits

This is a camping trek and all food must be carried along as you go. Unlike the well developed Everest and Annapurna regions, there are no facilities for lodging and food along the way except for a few hotels and a limited amount of food you can buy. So provisions for cooking, sitting if needed, sleeping and tents must be carried which makes it more expensive as well. You must have a Trekking Permit, Park Entrance Ticket and a TIMS Card before entering the national park.

Trip Highlights

  • This trek can be enjoyed by all age groups and fitness levels
  • Those looking for wilderness and solitude will find this to be the ideal journey.
  • This is an ideal trek for birdwatchers as well.
  • Walking through the Rara National Park which was established in 1975, one comes across forest covered high ridges and lush alpine pastures.
  • During winter the landscape turns even more enchanting with snow on the surrounding ridges.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1. Jumla → Danphe Langa (3720m)
The main trail to Rara goes through a high pass which remains closed when there is heavy snowfall during winter. When this happens, an alternate lower route has to be taken from Jumla. Walk up the main street and take the trail through Jugad valley and go past the hospital. Walk towards the Campus past the college buildings as the path gains in altitude. You come across the staff quarters of the Karnali Technical Institute. After going past Sisnamul, (2830m) a forest and then gentle meadows are encountered. Going further up there is a pasture for horses and sheep at a place called Chere (3100m). The going gets steeper and the trail leads through more meadows to finally arrive at Danphe Lagna which is a pass with good views of mountains like Patrasi and Jagdula Himal. The Danphe Lagna Camp (3500m) is reached after descending through rich birch, spruce and rhododendron forests. The camp is in a lovely meadow.
Day 2. Danphe Lagna Camp → Chautha
Descend as you follow a stream down to Tharamara (3280m). There’s a steep drop through bamboo and fir forests until you reach Hiran Duski (2840m). The trail then levels out followed by twists and turns to reach Sinja Khola (river). Cross to the other side over a suspension bridge and walk along the river until you reach Nyawre (2660m). Walking along the river bed through fields, the trail then goes away from the river and climbs steadily up passing below Bumra village and down again before crossing a stream. The trail goes through Kabra which has a hotel under a rock overhang. Local people extract silajit, which has curative properties from the rock and export to India. Climbing further up one reaches a level stretch before arriving in Bhara (2920m). The trail then passes through a village and descends to Chaura Khola. Cross the stream and you are in Chautha (2770m), the day’s destination. There’s a hotel here. After Chautha, the trail goes along the Sinja Khola all the way to Sinja.
Day 3. Chautha → Dhotu
Take the rocky trail up the stream and cross over. Walk about half an hour from Chautha and the valley broadens. At Chante Chaur (2940m) is a house in the middle of the fields. Follow the trail up to the gate of the Rara National Park at Bhulbule (3130m) where permits are checked. Park entry tickets are checked or issued here. Further up, the trail goes into a meadow and climbs again until you come across chortens and prayer flags. This is the Ghurchi Lagna pass (3450m). The Mugu Karnali river is seen from here and some snow- covered mountains as well. Next up is the old trade route to Mugu through the Mandu valley. Descend on a gentle drop followed by a steep incline through a forest of spruce trees. By the time you’re down to (2900m), the trail levels out. Look out for a trail junction. The trail to Rara looks deceptively unimpressive. A broad road (once a trade route) leads on to Pina (2400m) and further up is Mugu. The last bit of hiking is a pleasant one through level plain covered in pine. It then descends to Jhyari Khola (2400m). The next stretch leads to Dhotu which has an army camp and a helipad. One has to be careful to keep on the left and not be tempted to descend. Finally cross the river.
Day 4. Dhotu → Rara Lake
The next village on the trail is Jhyami which is reached by crossing the stream and climbing up to 2630m. Jhyami is a Thakuri village. Climb up through cedar forest to reach a lovely large meadow on a ridge. Great views of Rara Lake from above! Then it’s all the way down to the lake itself. You cannot camp on the southern shore, so go to the north where the National Park Headquarters and the camping grounds are. The hike alongside the lake to reach the other side and camp site takes about 2 hours. The lake falls within the Rara National Park, one of the finest parks in the world harboring rare animals like the musk deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, Himalayan goral, besides other reclusive animals.
Day 5. Rara Lake
Towards the north of the lake can be seen what’s left of the villages that had to be evacuated to designate the place a national park, and a few houses of the park wardens. Rara Lake (2980m) has a circumference of 13 km and walking around the entire lake is worthwhile. It’s an important lake for migrant birds and recognized as a Ramsar site. Due to its remoteness, there are not many visitors but perhaps that’s what will preserve the region’s pristine beauty.
Day 6. Rara Lake → Gorosingha
Many people choose to return via a different route once they’ve had their fill of Rara Lake. Go to the western end of the lake and follow the trail that goes along the Khatyar Khola to Majhkghatta. It’s about a 15 minute walk from the bridge. The next part of the journey takes you down to a river which you cross over a log bridge. Then cross yet another stream and climb up a hill where you will come across pine, spruce and rhododendron forests. The trail then leads through a birch forest and meadows until a ridge (3660m) is reached. Walk by a large valley with views of Rara Lake until you come to Gurchi Mara (3710m) at the top. Snow-capped mountains come into view in the distance. To reach Sinja from here, you either take the long easier route or the short but steeper one. The long route is the main trail which goes down to Ghatta valley and leads on to Gorosingha. To follow the shorter route, walk for about an hour from below Ghurchi Mara and you will come across a nondescript trail junction just before reaching Ghatta Khola. Stay on the treeless side of Ghatta valley and follow the trail to the campsite near a stream.
Day 7. Gorosingha → Sinja
Many people choose to return via a different route once they’ve had their fill of Rara Lake. Go to the western end of the lake and follow the trail that goes along the Khatyar Khola to Majhkghatta. It’s about a 15 minute walk from the bridge. The next part of the journey takes you down to a river which you cross over a log bridge. Then cross yet another stream and climb up a hill where you will come across pine, spruce and rhododendron forests. The trail then leads through a birch forest and meadows until a ridge (3660m) is reached. Walk by a large valley with views of Rara Lake until you come to Gurchi Mara (3710m) at the top. Snow-capped mountains come into view in the distance. To reach Sinja from here, you either take the long easier route or the short but steeper one. The long route is the main trail which goes down to Ghatta valley and leads on to Gorosingha. To follow the shorter route, walk for about an hour from below Ghurchi Mara and you will come across a nondescript trail junction just before reaching Ghatta Khola. Stay on the treeless side of Ghatta valley and follow the trail to the campsite near a stream.
Day 8. Sinja → Jaljala Chaur
Many people choose to return via a different route once they’ve had their fill of Rara Lake. Go to the western end of the lake and follow the trail that goes along the Khatyar Khola to Majhkghatta. It’s about a 15 minute walk from the bridge. The next part of the journey takes you down to a river which you cross over a log bridge. Then cross yet another stream and climb up a hill where you will come across pine, spruce and rhododendron forests. The trail then leads through a birch forest and meadows until a ridge (3660m) is reached. Walk by a large valley with views of Rara Lake until you come to Gurchi Mara (3710m) at the top. Snow-capped mountains come into view in the distance. To reach Sinja from here, you either take the long easier route or the short but steeper one. The long route is the main trail which goes down to Ghatta valley and leads on to Gorosingha. To follow the shorter route, walk for about an hour from below Ghurchi Mara and you will come across a nondescript trail junction just before reaching Ghatta Khola. Stay on the treeless side of Ghatta valley and follow the trail to the campsite near a stream.
Day 9. Jaljala Chaur → Jumla
The trail out of Jaljala Chaur goes through forests and a meadow below a ridge at 3510m. It then descends towards a cluster of houses below at Chaur Khola. Cross a stream and walk around on the high side of a valley to finally meet the trail going up at Chere (3010m). Follow the trail (in the reverse direction) along which you came up from Jumla and walk through Sisnamul, past the school and the Campus. Complete the circuit by reaching Jumla where you started this fascinating journey nine days ago.

Our Travel Expert

Udaya Gartaula

+9779801026642

info@rolwalingtrek.com

Cancellations & Refunds

At Rolwaling Trek, we just want our clients to have the best possible experiences. That’s why we don’t withhold deposits or have a fixed cancellation policy. We understand that sometimes life puts you in unexpected situations, so if you have to cancel or postpone a trip, there’s no need to worry.

If you need to change plans, please get in touch with us as soon as you can, and we will make the necessary arrangements to amend or cancel your trip. You can contact us at: +977 – 9801026642.

Notes

  • Trekking routes can be customised to suit your personal interests, abilities and time constraints.
  • If an area does not have good quality accommodation options, we can provide very comfortable camping-style accommodation for the duration of your journey.
  • Rolwaling also has a team of cooks who specialise in making Japanese cuisine, using authentic ingredients from Japan.
  • A lot of the fresh produce used in our dishes is sourced locally from growers in the trekking region.

Contact our Travel Expert

We pay special attention to your requirements and craft personalized getaways which showcases unique cultural, adventure and natural experiences of Nepal. We craft bespoke journeys for your expeditions & treks and also ensure you can experience the best that Nepal has to offer even for your shorter trips.

Enquire Now