A trek to Rara Lake takes you to one of the most pristine destinations of Nepal. With majestic blue water draped by gorgeous hills on its sides, Rara Lake is the largest and deepest freshwater lake in the Himalayas of Nepal.
Rara Lake Trek takes you through Rara National Park, the smallest national park in Nepal. When the rhododendrons are in season, the forest lights up with the signature red color.
The national park is also home to 240 species of birds and 51 species of mammals, which makes it a popular destination for bird watchers and animal lovers.
Your Rara Lake Trek starts after a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and another connecting flight to Jumla. Rara lies in an extremely remote part of Nepal which gives you a taste of the authentic rural lifestyle.
Rara Lake lies at an altitude of 2990 meters. It has a depth of 167 meters and covers an area of 10.8 square kilometers. During the trek, you will cross two mountain passes Danphe Lagna Pass and Ghurchi Lagna Pass. They have altitudes of 3691 meters and 3480 meters respectively.
Rara Lake Trek is an unforgettable experience in the wilderness of the western part of Nepal. Trekking there is a sumptuous experience with views of the snow-capped mountains, wonderful lakes, and the culture of this region.
Trekking Route
You have to go to Nepalgunj and then take a flight to Jumla for Rara Lake trek. From Jumla, you will trek to Chere Chaur, Chala Chaur, Sinja Valley, Goru SInghe and finally to Rara Lake. You will spend a day at Rara Lake and return back using a different trail. While returning, you will trek to Pina, Bumra and then Jumla. You will take a flight to Nepalgunj and return back to Kathmandu.
Rara Lake Trek Highlights
- One of the most remote trekking destinations in Nepal
- Pass two beautiful mountain passes Danphe Langa Pass(3691 m) and Ghurchi Langa Pass (3480 m)
- Chance to learn about the lifestyle of the people who reside in remote villages of western Nepal
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Durbar Squares, temples, and stupas
- Walk in the off-the-beaten-path of western Nepal
- Explore diverse flora and fauna of the regional flora and fauna in the region
- Notice different types of climatic variations in the same trip
- Walk past the lush forests of pines and oaks, and diverse vegetation
- Catch the enticing views of many snow-capped mountains
- Enjoy the scenic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
Food and Accommodation
During the Rara Lake Trek, you will have to isolate yourself from luxurious things as the Lake falls in one of the most remote of Nepal. Teahouses are available to spend the night run by local people. They provide you with very basic accommodation service and food items. You can expect to have dal bhat, fried rice, soup, noodles, pasta, potatoes, vegetables, eggs, etc.
However, while in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, you will stay in 3-starred hotels with breakfast service. For lunch and dinner, you can explore various traditional and modern dishes available in the cities.
Difficulty
Rara Lake Trek falls under strenuous grade trekking. You will have to walk for 6-7 hours a day for more than 10 days. The trail varies from flat terrain to rocky and steep ridges. You will be going to the region with altitude more than 3000 meters where the atmospheric pressure and temperature are low. So, you need a high level of mental and physical fitness to do this trek.
Suggested Preparation
- Cardio exercises like running, cycling, jogging, push-ups, and pull-ups for about 4-5 days a week for 3 months before your trip will come in extremely handy.
- You should also be involved in developing core strength. and muscle endurance in weight training.
- Hiking in the hills under different weather conditions will be good preparation for this trip.
- If you have access, kayaking will also be a very good way to develop the strength and endurance required for this trip.
Weather and Best Time to Trek
Like other treks, spring and autumn are considered to be the best season for trekking as the weather conditions are nice and calm in these seasons. But trekking in winter and summer have their own benefits. You can do this trek in winter as well as you don't have to go to a much higher altitude. The snowfall in winter adds to the beauty of the lake and the region. Similarly, summer is the best time to explore the wildlife in the Park.
People and their lifestyle
During your Rara Lake Trek, you pass through many rural and isolated settlements of western Nepal. Most of the people here depend upon agriculture for survival. Some of the villagers extract medicinal herbs and sell them to make a living. Most of the villages here are dominated by Thakur society. There is also a temple of Thakur Baba in the southeast corner of Lake. It is interesting to explore these communities with there own and unique belief system and lifestyle.
