Overview

Rara Lake trek is one of the most beautiful remote treks in western Nepal. This wonderful trek offers to explore Rara Lake, the biggest lake in Nepal. It lies in the Mugu district, Karnali Zone in Western Nepal.

The trekking route is very much “off the beaten track” and you’ll get a quite different touch of culture and scenery from the rest of Nepal.

Perched at an altitude of 9,810 meters (9,810 ft) above sea level, the lake is surrounded by Rara National Park with beautiful pine and juniper forests. There are wide and rare varieties of flora and fauna.

Local people are mainly engaged in agriculture. Besides this, they are also engaged in the extraction and selling of the medicinal herbs.

From snow-clad mountains to untamed meadows, Rara Lake is an epitome of beauty.

Rara Lake Trek begins with a scenic flight to Jumla over a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. The trek follows a charming trail via forests and several rivulets. Meanwhile, you can also enjoy the local culture as the trail goes through remote villages as well.

This beautiful trek also offers the striking views of the snow-capped mountain reflected on the crystal clear water.

The trek is open throughout the year but the best time is in autumn and spring.

For those interested in architecture, there is Thakur Baba’s temple in the southeast corner of the lake. This temple holds a religious belief that the god Thakur shot an arrow to open the passage of the lake.

While trekking you can do camping and homestay as well. During the homestay trek, there is a simple accommodation and foods are Nepalese dishes.

Beside the lake view, you’ll also get a chance of hike to Chuchemara Dada at 4,090 m. From the top of the hill, you’ll get the astounding view of Rara lake surrounded by green lush forest and snow-capped mountain peaks soaring up to the skyline.

Highlights

Explore Mugu district, one of the most remote areas and relatively unexplored region in Nepal.
Adventurous teahouse trek in the beautiful Jumla region.
Explore Rara Lake- the biggest lake in Nepal.
Learn about the cultural blend of religious practices with Buddhist and Hindu practices.
Explore a typical traditional village where you can experience the unique lifestyle of the local people.
Stroll around Rara National Park - home to several endangered wild species.

Day 1 :

Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel (1,300m/4,264ft)

On the first day, we will meet upon your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport. A representative from the Eagle Eye Trek & Expedition will escort you to the representative hotel.

After taking a short break, we'll do a short briefing about an upcoming trip. Depending on your arrival time, we'll have a choice of visiting a nearby place or spending the rest of the time at leisure.

Day 2 :

Kathmandu sightseeing

We'll start our second day with a sightseeing tour by visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites within Kathmandu.

You'll visit Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath, and the biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath. You'll also visit Kathmandu Durbar Square the culturally and historically rich site in Kathmandu city.

After exploring these sites, we’ll get back to our hotel for the final preparation of trek. We’ll spend our night in a well-standard hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 3 :

Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj

Travel Time: 40 minutes

Altitude: 150 m/490 ft

Accommodation: Standard Hotel

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Early in the morning, we'll take a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, one of the largest city in western Nepal. This flat land has quite tropical, hot, and humid climate. Transfer to respective hotel and if you wish you can explore the rest of the area.

We'll spend a night in a standard hotel in Nepalgunj.

Day 4 :

Fly from Nepalgunj to Jumla

Travel hour: 20 minutes flight, 3 - 4 hours trek

Altitude: 2,540 m/ 8,334 ft

Accommodation: Basic Teahouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Early in the morning, we'll take a flight from Nepalgunj to Jumla. Jumla airport is one of Nepal's remote airstrip in western Nepal. It is also the gateway of the Karnali region of Nepal.

You can explore Jumla Bazaar only 10 minutes far from an airport. Overnight in a basic teahouse in Jumla.

Day 5 :

Trek from Jumla to Chere Chaur

Altitude: 3,055 m/ 10,023 ft

Accommodation: Basic Teahouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today, we start our trek from Jumla to Chere Chaur. The trail follows the north bank of Jugad Khola. Along the trail, we pass Khalanga Bazaar, a small marketplace for the nearby villages. Passing a couple of villages and a temple, we'll reach our destinations. Overnight in a basic teahouse in Chere Chaur.

Day 6 :

Chere Chaur to Chala Chaur

Altitude: 2,980 m/ 9,777 ft

Accommodation: Basic Teahouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

In the morning, after breakfast, the trail ascends slowly until we reach Jaljala pass (3,580 m). We cross the pass and continue our walk on the straight trail until we reach Jaljala Chaur.

Here we’ll take a rest for a little time then continue our trek via steep trail and slowly enter into the Rara Lake Circuit. After few hours walk, we'll reach Chala Chaur for an overnight stay.

Day 7 :

Chala Chaur to Sinja Valley

Altitude: 2,490 m

Accommodation: Basic Teahouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today's trek starts with an uphill climb leaving behind Chala Chaur to Sinja Valley. Walking along the Jaljala Khola (stream) passing via several villages we'll reach Sinja Valley. This valley was used to be a capital of the Malla Dynasty. It is a small village located at the bank of the Hima river.

This valley is mainly inhabited by the Brahmin and Chhetri communities. At Sinja valley, we'll get a chance to explore the historical palaces, ancient temples that were uncovered during the excavation lead by the Department of Archaeology at Cambridge University. After exploring the valley, we'll spend our night at a basic tea house in Sinja valley.

Day 8 :

Sinja to Ghorosingha

Travel hour: 4-5 hours trek

Altitude: 3,050 m/ 10007 ft

Accommodation: Basic Teahouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Early morning after having hearty breakfast, we'll walk all the way up to Ghorosingha. It is situated at the bank of Ghatta Khola. This place offers a great site for camping. Continue the trek via along the Hima river, we'll first reach Laha past Gani in the east.

At first, the trail is little steep later it becomes relatively easy. From Laha, we'll head west alongside the Ghatte River and finally reach Goroasingha. Soon we reach Gorosingha, we'll notice an army post that looks like a Hollywood ranch mark. We'll spend our night at a basic tea house in Ghorosingha.

Day 9 :

Ghorosingha to Rara Lake

Travel hour: 4-5 hours trek

Altitude: 3,010 m / 9,876ft

Accommodation: Basic Teahouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner In the morning, having breakfast we'll walk from Ghorosingha to Rara Lake, the most awaited point of the trek. At first, we'll ascend Chucharmare Danda we need to be little careful as the trail is little steep. The highest point of Dada offers an excellent view of the western Himalayas, Rara Lake, and Rara National Park.

Slowly the trail enters the meadows via pine, spruce, and rhododendron forests and continues towards Majghat. Before reaching Majghghat, we'll cross a stream. Passing Chhapri village and following the Khyatyar river, we'll walk all the way up to Rara Lake. We'll spend a night in a basic tea house in Rara.

Day 10 :

Explore Rara Lake

We'll have a complete day to explore one of the most beautiful and biggest lakes in Nepal, Rara Lake. We'll also visit National Park headquarters. To have a great view of the lake and surrounding hills, we'll climb up to the wooden observation tower.

As per your wish, we can do boating on the Rara Lake, enjoy the tranquility and pristine views of surrounding snow-capped peaks. If time permits, we'll also hike up to Murma, a beautiful village. After spending a whole day exploring the Rara Lake area, we'll return our respective tea house for overnight stay.

Day 11 :

Rara Lake to Pina

Altitude: 2,440m/8,006ft

Accommodation: Basic Teahouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Leaving behind Rara Lake

Today we'll trek to Pina. After enjoying the hot breakfast with a majestic view of Rara Lake with surrounding hills, we'll continue our trek. Today we'll walk on a straight path and take us first to Gamgadhi, headquarter of the Mugu District.

Again, the trail descends through the forests of Oak, Pine, Juniper, Rhododendron and reach Jhyari Khola. From here, we'll continue our walk via pine forests until we reach Pina. We'll spend overnight in basic tea house of Pina.

Day 12 :

Pina to Bumra

Altitude: 2,850 m/9,351ft

Accommodation: Basic Teahouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, continuing our Rara Lake trek and walk all the way to Burma via spruce forest. Burma is also known as Nauri Ghat. After a few descend we'll reach Ghurchi Lagna Pass at 3,480 meters above sea level. Here, we'll see fluttering prayer flag and the view of Karnali river and snowy peaks bordering Tibet and Nepal.

After enjoying the view from the pass, we'll walk all the way down via small settlements and reach Bumra. We'll spend a night in a basic tea house in Bumra.

Day 13 :

Trek ends; Bumra to Jumla, Simikot airport (2540m/8334 ft)

Altitude: 2,540 m / 8,334 ft

Accommodation: Basic Teahouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Last day of our trek and we'll walk from Bumra to Jumla. Crossing the suspension bridge above the Hima River and then continue our walk downhill. After few hours, we'll reach Tatopani a natural hot spring. Here we can take a dip and enjoy the natural hot spring.

After enjoying natural hot spring, we'll soon pass Danphe Lagna Pass at 3,691 meters. Then after following back the same trail we took a couple of days back, we reach Jumla for the overnight stay.

Day 14 :

Fly to Nepalgunj, fly to Kathmandu

Travel time: 40 minutes flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu and 20 minutes flight from Jumla to Nepalgunj.

Accommodation: Standard Hotel

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

As per the flight schedule, you'll transfer to the Jumla airstrip after breakfast. At first, we'll take a flight from Jumla to Nepalgunj. Soon we reach Nepalgunj, we'll return to Kathmandu and transfer to the respective hotel.

You can freshen up and you can spend remaining time as per your wish. In the evening, you can stroll around the popular markets in Kathmandu and do some shopping. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 15 :

Final departure

This is a day to say a final goodbye!!! Depending on your flight schedule, the Eagle Eye Trek & Expedition representative will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport. If you want to extend your trip in Nepal, then we offer different trekking and tour packages in Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet.

Note: The above itinerary is just a guideline; it might be changed depending on any unforeseen conditions on the trail. Besides this, if it needs to be re-routed or itinerary alteration, then the trekking guide has full authority to make a decision. Of course, it will be done after consulting with our guests.

Also, if the above itinerary doesn't meet your requirements, then we're ready to customize the trip. Please let us know whether you would like to change or not the current itinerary. You can contact us at any time; we're here 24 hours at your service.