Trip Duration
14 Days
Trip Difficulty
Challenging
Max. Altitude
3,710m / 12,172ft.
Activity
Trekking
Destination
Nepal
Group Size
1-16 Pax
Accommodation
3 star Hotel
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Talk to trip expert
Most of the well-known trekking paths and destinations in Nepal have now become overcrowded resulting in their loss of authenticity. However, Sherpa Discovery Treks introduces you to the Rara Lake trek- an original natural cultural, and adventurous mountain journey in the immaculate nature of Nepal.
Our Rara Lake trek 14 days expedition is especially appealing to those who want to escape the conventional hiking paths and reach the most breathtaking gem of Nepal- the magnificent Rara Lake.
This lake is the perfect epitome that shows the beauty and diversity of Nepal. This is the reason why the lake is called Queen of all the lakes of Nepal and a little hidden blue pearl of the Himalayas.
With an altitude of 3010 m and an area of over 10 square km, the Lake is encircled on the south by the Chuchhemara Peak (4039 m), Malika Kand (3444 m), and Ruma Kand (3731 m) on the north.
The calm green hills, the tall pine, spruce, and juniper forests, and the unique rich wildlife with monkeys, deer, mountain goats, wolves, bears, red pandas, and Danphe of the Rara National Park, all form the perfect setting for the magnificent Rara Lake trek where very few find their way.
Alongside this phenomenal nature, our Rara Lake trek will also allow you to meet the traditional Muguali or Mugum people and the Jumleli people of Thakuris, Brahmins, and Chhetris all of whom are Hindus.
The Rara Lake trek route runs through the less-developed western region of Nepal, specifically the restricted Mugu and Jumla districts within the Karnali Province. It is the moderate non-technical route that welcomes any average person who has a sense of adventure.
The journey will air tranfer you to Nepalgunj and Jumla from Kathmandu. Then, our Rara Lake trek itinerary will hike you through the remote trails of Chere Chaur, Chalachaur, and Sinja Valley. On the way, you will traverse the 3580 m elevation of the beautiful Jaljala Pass.
Sinja Valley is the richest legendary and historical town of Jumla that still offer the glimpses of the past glory days of the Malla Rulers via the time honored remnants of their palaces and temples.
Following the silent trail, you will then overcome the 3710 m altitude of the Chuchhemara Danda and reach the grand Rara Lake. You will get to meditate, sit, and relax by its shore for a day.
Then, you will journey through Pina and traverse two more high points of Ghurchi Lagna Pass (3480 m) and Danphe Lagna Pass (3691 m) before you end your Rara Lake trek route in Jumla. The air transport will again lead you back to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj.
Overall, our Rara Lake trek is an unparalleled expedition that cordially blends the profound adventure, culture, and deep splendor of nature with the ancient heritage of Nepal.
The wondrous capital of Nepal is delighted to receive you and we at Sherpa Discovery Treks are equally pleased to be your travel companion for your Rara Lake trek.
At TIA, our representative will be there to receive you and ride you to your beautiful lodging. Once in your room, freshen up and relax, till then we await the arrival of all our guests.
In the evening, our guide will give you brief details about our planned Rara Lake trek itinerary. You can then set out to enjoy the calm yet musical evening in Thamel or Durbar Marga. Please sleep early as we have a very early flight scheduled for tomorrow morning
We will have a short 45-minute beautiful flight towards Nepalgunj today. If we are fortunate in weather, we may see Annapurna peaks which later transform into lush jungles and hills.
Nepalgunj is a large Terai city near India that shares the humid air of the country. We can get on with the exploration of the maze of streets here, shop in the small lively bazaar, and ride in rikshaws to reach the Kali Temple of Bageshwori in the heart of the town.
Getting up early, we will leave for Jumla in a small plane. For around 20 minutes, we will see the foothills of the Himalayas and distant snowy peaks.
It’s a sudden elevation and environment change from a humid plain to a Himalayan landscape. So we will take enough rest to get to Jumla Air which is the commercial hub of the Karnali District.
This small town has extremely delightful markets and a temple devoted to the mythical saint, Chandan Nath.
The real hiking adventure now commences from today as we leave Jumla and walk along the riverbed high above the Jugad Khola. We will travel past the hospital and the technical school of Ghumurti.
The trail now upraises and we pass the Micha Village where we can see a series of stupas. The path now follows through the birch and bamboo forests till we are at the Khalanga Bazaar.
We will be at Chere Chaur in a short time located high above the river of Karnali where we can find a few shepherd huts and houses
From Chere Chaur, we will resume our hiking through the birch and fir forests. Kanjiroba Peak (6883 m) will be seen in the eastern sky as we walk along the twisting upraising trail towards 3580 m Jaljala Pass.
The silent peaceful trail will then direct us down to the Jaljala Chaur from where we will again move upward along the sharp path to reach Chalachaur where we will settle for the night.
From Chalachaur, we will march down towards the Jaljala River through the troll forest and green farmlands. As we proceed further, we will see the Kanaka Sundari Temple, a 3 century old temple which gate is protected by the large lion statues.
Past this temple, we will travel down to the river and progress across the small bridge. The narrow gorge trail will then take us to Sinja- the former winter capital of the Malla rulers.
We can still see the remains of their history dating back to the Khasa Kingdom.
Today, we will have a very knowledgeable day as we set on to explore and discover the treasures of the Sinja Valley. As we explore, we can see numerous cliffs with inscriptions in Nepal that date back to 13th century.
We can also several Dewals, the religious centers encircled by the time honored temples. We can also observe the ancient remains of the old civilization of Karnali, the temple ruins, and the hidden mud pipe water distribution system.
From Sinja, we will cross the Hima River and follow the upward path to the small village of Ganj. The constricted gorge will now advance us to Botan Village.
Moving onward, the ascending trail will join the Ghatte Khola which will take us north through green fields of Laha Village. Shortly we will reach Ghoro Singha hinting we have arrived at the Rara National Park.
The checkpoint here will register and grants us the permit for the park after which we will continue our day looking around the area
Today, we will have to ascend the 3710 m height of the Chuchhemara Danda before we make our way to Rara Lake. At first, our path will pass through pine and birch jungles which eventually will lead us upward along the boulder laden trail.
A two hour of this tough journey will finally guide us atop the ridge that rewards us with the fabulous views of the Rara Lake and the surrounding mighty peaks.
We will calmly descend from the pass and walk over the Khatyar Khola. Following the northern upstream path, we will pass by the Murma Village before we reach the western bank of the Rara Lake.
We have a whole day to spend in the untouched beauty of the little pearl of Rara Lake. We have plenty to do, we can walk 13 km around the edge of the lake, visit the observation tower, or swim in the lake.
There is also the Rara Mahadev Temple or the Thakur Baba’s Temple on the northeastern shore of the Lake which we can visit and the nearby rocks are said to be Thakur Baba’s footprints.
Every July/August full moon see the flocks of the Hindu faithfuls here to celebrate Thakur Baba’s honor who said to have formed the eastern bank of the lake.
We can also enjoy boating over the blue waters of the lake and enjoy the raw and purest natural surroundings. The reflections of the Chuchhemara Peak (4039 m) on the south, Malika Kand (3444 m), and Ruma Kand (3731 m) on the north shine the mirrored surface of the lake.
From Rara Lake, we will lead our feet to west towards Gamgadhi which is the central distinct capital of the Mugu district. From Gamgadhi, we will take the left route and descend to Jhyari Khola. A wooden bridge will take us to the opposite track from where we will move further down to Pina Village.
From Pina, the path will start to move up straight ultimately taking us to the 3480 m elevation of the Ghurchi Langna Pass. The lungtas or the prayer flags seen covering the summit of the pass. In the silence, we can see the magnificent blue Karnali River flowing gently to its goal.
From the pass, we will march downward and reach Bulbule. The southern path will now guide us to Chautha and then to Nauri Ghat aka Bumra.
From Bumra, we will calmly walk downward towards the Hima River. The two air hung bridges will move is over this river and lead us toward the natural hot spring.
Here, we can soak our tired feet before continuing on along the steep slope of Danphe Lagna (3691 m). The downward path will guide us towards Chere Chaur one more time from where we will then proceed to Jumla ending the trekking segment of our Rara Lake trek route.
We will board the first flight towards Nepalgunj and then catch another flight back to Kathmandu. Our Sherpa Discovery Treks team will then drive us to our comforting lodging in the city where we can then honor the successful completion of our Rara Lake Trek.
For the ideal delightful trekking weather and the driest walking trails, it is wise to take our Rara Lake trek in the Fall (September, October, and November) and the Spring (March, April, and May) seasons.
The autumn occur after monsoon resulting the dust free air and the cloudless skies. The forests still retain the monsoon vibrancy and color adding a unique charm to the trail with the breathtakingly clearest view of the landscapes and the mountains.
Spring occurs before monsoon and thus brings sparse rain, extended sunny days, with the comfortable walking heat between 27 to 28 degrees Celsius. The forests trail become stunning with the dense juniper, fir, and birch trees along with the active life of the endemic wildlife.
December, January, and February however are the chilliest times when the trail is blanketed with 3 to 4 feet of snow. The thermometer also settles down to 4 degrees Celsius or lower. During June, July and August, the sky cries intensely tearing down the heavy rains.
Our Rara Lake trek poses a category two moderate adventure in the Karnali region of Nepal. The trekking trail is pretty manageable without any technical challenges or steep inclines.
The daily walking hours that we have integrated into our Rara Lake trek itinerary are also limited to 5 to 6 hours occasionally extending to 7 hours. In addition, our Rara Lake trek 14 days journey will reach the maximum altitude at 3710 m of Chuchhemara Danda, while Chera Chaur’s 3055 m altitude will be our maximum sleeping elevation.
Along the way, you will encounter three more passes above 3300 m. Thus, the challenge of the trek lies not in the altitude but in the remoteness and underdevelopment of the region with the trails that are often rugged and unmarked.
At times, you may have to prepare yourself for the tent stays in the rustic natural settings. So if you prefer a comfortable travel, this may not be the trip for you. However, if you desire for the untouched nature and a little escapade from the stress, then this trek is very ideal for you.
Our Rara Lake trek 14 days trekking journey is a moderate expedition that is designed for everyone of all ages, fitness, skills and genders. If you have a zest for exploration and have a reasonable fitness, then this trek will provide you a fulfilling journey.
Our Rara Lake trek itinerary has integrated slow and progressive acclimatization to reduce the appearance of altitude sickness. However, we do advise you to prepare for the altitude and terrain before you head on the journey.
Please understand that this journey is a mental journey than physical so be flexible for fun and full immersion in the nature. We offer you dedicated local guide and porters who will look after you throughout the journey.
In any event of tent accommodation, we will provide you with tents and dining for the trip. So if you have a love for nature, history, and culture, then this is no doubt made for you.
Although the concern of the AMS or the altitude sickness is relatively low in our Rara lake trek 14 days journey, we still have to be aware of its potential appearance as we will be ascending the above 3000 m altitude most of the time.
The initial leg of the journey also features a quick altitude change descending from Kathmandu to 150 m plain of Nepalgunj then elevated to 2540 m altitude in Jumla within just 30 minutes.
Also, throughout the trek, you will go through constant elevation changes, which demands your body to quickly adjust to the highland air of Karnali.
In case of failure to acclimatize, your body may start to show sleep disturbances, nausea, irritability, loss of appetite, and headaches. These are the early signs of the AMS and to prevent and resolve the issue, it is wise to hydrate adequately aiming to drink 4 lt of water.
If you go through these signs, our guide will take immediate action whether that means descending or allowing you to rest at the same elevation. If you have no medical condition that would contraindicate the use of Diamox, then you can also take its pill.
From our part to help you in your adjustment, we have places rest days in Sinja and Rara Lake, along with a full day in Jumla so you can acclimatize to the local air.
No elaborate physical prep or training or extreme athletic prowess is needed for our Rara Lake trek 14 days adventure. If you are already someone who enjoys playing various sports and regularly gets involved in hiking trips, or do running or walking on a daily basis, then you are in great shape for this adventure.
However, if you sit around all day, then it is better to be pre-prepared by involving in moderate training session such as squats, running, push ups, cycling, pull ups, swimming, planks etc.
For few ascents that are required in this trip, you can climb up and down the stairs few times a week. Please remember that our Rara Lake trek as already stated is a mental journey than the physical one so we advise you to get to know about Rara Lake and its route.
Research about the lake and its surroundings, the way of life, and accommodation types so you can face the challenge with confidence when you are actually on the trip.
The beauty of Lake Rara is that it can be reached in various ways and routes. If you wish to trek to the lake, then you can also go another way around traversing the Danphe Lagna pass first and moving on through Chautha to Rara Lake. Then you can make your return through Ghoro Singha, and Sinja to Jumla.
If trekking is not preferable for you and you want an easy and fastest way, then flights are also available from Nepalgunj to Rara or Talcha Airport from where lake Rara is only 4 hour walk away.
A jeep from Nepalgunj either private or local can also take you straight to lake Rara. Or, you can also ride your motorcycle and drive to Rara Lake for a more thrilling immersion.
Sherpa Discovery Treks will take care of all your sleeping, eating and transporting arrangements during the Rara Lake Trek 14 days journey. In Kathmandu, a double bedroom of a tourist standard three star hotel will be your place of stay where you will have your personal bathroom, hot running water and WiFi.
When walking through the Karnali Villages, the tea houses en route will be your night lodging where you will get two and occasionally three beds to sleep in.
Because we are traveling into the remote mountain area of underdeveloped Karnali, we may not get the private bathrooms, internet and 24 hour electricity.
Also, there are not many tea houses in some villages so we may have to camp at night. In such cases, tent arrangements for sleeping, eating, and latrines will be made by our accompanying team.
Regarding your food arrangements, breakfasts will be from us in Kathmandu and lunches and dinners will have to be arranged by yourself. When going through Karnali province, three courses of breakfasts, dinners and lunches will be served in the tea house.
The menu will not be much diverse so you may have to energize with Dal Vat or noodles.
When traveling, the airport arrivals and departures will be through our private rides. The back and forth flights between Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Jumla will also be managed by our team.
For the Rara Lake Trek, it is essential to have the permit for the Rara National Park and the TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System) both available at the counter of the Tourism Board Office of Kathmandu.
Alternately, the Rara National Park Permit can also be procured at the checkpoint of Ghoro Singha. At US Dollars 20 per person, you will get the TIMS and at US Dollars 30 per son, you will have the Park permit.
Both prices are included as our service cost in our total Rara Lake Trek package cost. Sherpa Discovery Treks will also look after the arrangement of the permits.
Travel insurance is the most needed element for our Rara Lake trek 14 days journey. Rara Lake is situated in one of the most distant western corner of Nepal which has seen less development in recent years. The area lacks the extensive medical centers and also lies beneath the Himalayas in the forest.
Such terrain and trail can sometimes result in the undesired and sudden events while trekking such as slip, fracture, accidents, or even serious altitude sickness.
Because of the lack of proper medical services, you may need to be quickly transferred to Kathmandu by helicopter. The circumstances may also arise when you may get stranded and an immediate heli search may be required for your rescue.
So we strongly suggest you to get the all-inclusive travel insurance plan for our Rara Lake trek. Include your hiking altitude of up to 3100 m so heli rescue and transfer is supported by your insurer if required.
You should also make sure your policy has coverage for few extra days in Nepal. For added benefits, you can also add trek postponements, delays, cancellation, flights delays and cancellation, luggage theft or loss in your policy.
Yes, the conservation of the lake actually began after the late king Mahendra visited the area so the lake is also named after him.
No, the lake will not be entirely frozen to solid but the temperature can be under freezing point.
Yes, most of the areas have electricity now through solar panels and the government. So you can repower your mobile and camera at a small fee at tea houses but we still suggest you have your power bank or solar charger on hand.
We suggest you get the government mobile Namaste network for this route as it works better than Ncell. You can also use the 4G internet of NTC when you are at Rara Lake.
Some can but not all and they be unreliable at times.
When we will be over the Chuchhemara Danda on the way to Rara Lake at 3710 m.
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