| Group size: | Minimum 2 pax | Max-Altitude: | 3,055m/10,023ft |
| Destination: | Nepal | ||
| Arrival on: | Kathmandu | Departure from: | Kathmandu |
| Meals: | All meals during trek. [Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner] | ||
| Accommodation: | Hotel/Mountain lodge | ||
| Fitness level: | Moderate | ||
Rara Lake is Nepal’s biggest Lake, located in the Mugu district of the Karnali zone in Nepal. Situated at the altitude of 2,990m above the sea level, the lake is surrounded by the pine, spruce and juniper forest of the Rara National Park. The Rara Lake Trek or trekking to this hidden gem of Nepal, promises unlimited adventure, culture and panoramic geographical landscape, so beautiful and serene that it will make you want to come back to this place again and again.
Despite being one of the most famous trekking routes in western Nepal, the trail is the least visited trekking trail in Nepal. Although the place is very remote and not easily accessible, the destination, that is, the Rara Lake and the trail leading to the destination is all worth your effort. The trekking starts with a flight to Nepalgunj and then to Jumla. From Jumla, the trail passes through Chere Chaur, Chala Chaur, Sinja Valley, Gorosingha, Rara Lake, Pina, Bumra and back to Jumla circling the Rara Lake. From Jumla, a flight back to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu will bring the Rara Lake trek to an end.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Altitude: 1,300m/4,264ft
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing day tour
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
Altitude: 150m/492ft. Flight: 1 hour. Meal: BLD
Day 04: Fly from Nepalgunj to Jumla
Altitude: 2,540m/8,334ft. Flight: 20mins. Meal: BLD
Day 05: Trek from Jumla to Chere Chaur
Altitude: 3,055m/10,023ft. Meal: BLD
Day 06: Trek from Chere Chaur to Chalachaur
Altitude: 2,980m/9,777ft. Meal: BLD
Day 07: Trek from Chalachaur to Sinja Valley
Altitude: 2,490m/8,169ft. Meal: BLD
Day 08: Trek from Sinja to Ghorosingha
Altitude: 3050m/10,006ft. Meal: BLD
Day 09: Trek from Ghorosingha to Rara Lake
Altitude: 3,010m/9,875ft. Meal: BLD
Day 10: Explore Rara Lake Area
Meal: BLD
Day 11: Trek from Rara Lake to Pina
Altitude: 2,440m/8,006ft. Meal: BLD
Day 12: Trek from Pina to Bumra
Altitude: 2,850m/9,351ft. Meal: BLD
Day 13: Trek from Bumra to Jumla
Altitude: 2,540m/8,334ft. Meal: BLD
Day 14: Fly from Jumla to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu
Altitude: 1,300m/4,264ft. Meal: B
Day 15: Day 15: Departure day
Meal: B
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)
Welcome to Nepal. Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, one of our company representatives will greet you and transfer you to the hotel booked for you in Kathmandu. You can freshen up and rest for some time. In the afternoon, a meeting will be conducted at our office to introduce you to the guide and brief you regarding the trek. After the meeting, we will take you for a welcome dinner at one of the finest typical Nepali restaurants. The dinner is hosted by the company. While having dinner, you can also enjoy ethnic music and cultural dance. However, if your flight arrives late, both meetings and the dinner will be scheduled for the following day. The night will be spent in a tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing (Meal: BLD)
After breakfast at the hotel, today, we will go for a day tour. We will visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. The sites include the temple of Pashupatinath, Stupa of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath and the Kathmandu Durbar Square. These are culturally and historically rich sites in Kathmandu. If you do not want to visit the Kathmandu Durbar Square, we have Bhaktapur Durbar Square or Patan Durbar Square as an optional sites for you, depending upon your interest. After spending a few hours exploring these sites, we will get back to our office for the final preparation of the trek. The night will be spent in a tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m/492ft) 1 hour (Meal: BLD)
After breakfast, leaving the beautiful Kathmandu Valley, located in Central Nepal, we fly to the flat Terai plains of Western Nepal, Nepalgunj. It takes about an hour to reach Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. The flight is very scenic and interesting. At Ranjha Airport in Nepalgunj, a private vehicle will be ready awaiting our arrival. We will now be transferred to the hotel booked for us in Nepalgunj. While in Nepalgunj, we will visit the very famous Muslim market, mini zoo, and the nearby Tharu villages. The night will be spent in a tourist standard hotel in Nepalgunj.
Day 04: Fly from Nepalganj to Jumla (2,540m/8,334ft) 20mins (Meal: BLD)
After breakfast at the hotel, we are transferred to the Ranjha Airport to board an aircraft to Jumla. Jumla has a Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) airport, therefore, we fly from Nepalgunj to Jumla on a STOL aircraft. Leaving the Terai plains we now fly to the hilly landscape of Jumla situated on the foothills of Sisne Himalaya. It takes about 20 mins to reach Jumla from Nepalgunj. After reaching Jumla, we spend the rest of the day exploring the surrounding area and getting prepared for
the next day’s walk. The night will be spent in a tea house in Jumla.
Day 05: Trek from Jumla to Chere Chaur (3,055m/10,023ft) (Meal: BLD)
After breakfast at Jumla, today, we hike all the way up to Chere Chaur. Starting with a level walk through the northern part of the town, the trail climbs steadily up the Jugad Valley past Khalanga Bazaar, which is a small market for people living in the nearby villages, Campus and Karnali Technical Institute. Then walking past a couple of villages with traditional houses and a temple, we arrive Sisnamul, after which, a walk through the forest and meadows will finally take us to ChereChaur. Chere Chaur is a high altitude meadow from where one can enjoy a splendid view of the Jumla Valley. The evening will be spent exploring the Chere Chaur area. The night will be spent in a very basic tea house in Chere Chaur.
Day 06: Trek from Chere Chaur to Chalachaur (2,980m/9,777ft) (Meal: BLD)
After breakfast at Chere Chaur, following the western trail, we will first hike up to Jaljala pass (3,585m). Crossing the pass, we will now continue on a moderately straight trail until Jaljala Chaur that presents you with a pretty gigantic meadow. Here, you can also spot horses grazing. From here, we will continue on a steep trail, along the Syaule River, until we reach Chalachaur. The evening will be spent exploring the area and the night will be spent in a very basic tea house in Chalachaur.
Day 07: Trek from Chalachaur to Sinja Valley (2,490m/8,169ft) (Meal: BLD)
After breakfast at the Chalachaur, today, we trek from Chalachaur to the Sinja Valley. Sinja, once a capital of the Malla Dynasty from 12th -14th century, is a small village situated on the bank of the Hima River. It is mainly occupied by people belonging to Brahmin an the Chhetri community. Leaving Chalachaur, we will continue our trekking towards the Sinja Valley, along the Jaljala River, past several small settlements of people. At Sinja Valley, we will explore the remains of ancient palaces, temples, and settlement, that were uncovered during the excavation lead by the Department of Archaeology at Cambridge University. The paddy fields, add more beauty to this valley. We will explore the areas and spend the night in a very basic tea house in Sinja.
Day 08: Trek from Sinja to Ghorosingha (3050m/10,006ft) (Meal: BLD)
After breakfast at Sinja, today, we walk all the way up to Gorusingha situated on the bank of Ghatta Khola, providing a great site for camping. Following the trail along the Hima River, we will first head east towards Laha past Gani. Initially, the trail is steep, which later becomes relatively easy. From Laha, a steep trail, heading west alongside Ghatte River will finally take us to Ghorosingha. An army post that looks like a Holywood ranch marks the arrival of Ghorosingha. The night
will be spent in a very basic tea house in Ghorosingha.
Day 09: Trek from Ghorosingha to Rara Lake (3,010m/9,875ft) (Meal: BLD)
After breakfast at Ghorosingha, we walk from Ghorosingha to Rara Lake. Initially, the ascent from Ghorosingha alongside the Chuchamare Danda is steep. The highest point of the Chuchamare Danda provides the beautiful view of the panorama of the western Himalayas, Rara Lake and the flourishing vegetation of the Rara National Park. The trail now enters the meadows on the ridge and continues towards Majhghat through the forest of pine, spruce and rhododendron. You will be crossing a stream, before reaching Majhghatta. Following the Khatyar River, we will now walk all the way up to Rara Lake, past Chhapri village that houses the headquarter of the Rara National Park. The night will be spent in a very basic tea house in Rara.
Day 10: Explore Rara Lake Area (Meal: BLD)
Rara Lake is the biggest Lake in Nepal. The surrounding dense forest provides the right environment for birds and animals to flourish. If you are lucky you will get to spot otters, rhesus, langur, Himalayan Thar, serows, musk deer and so on. Today, we utilize the day to wander around the lake area. We go boating around the lake and enjoy the very beautiful settings of the lake and a few varieties of fishes as well. If time permits, we will also visit the village of Murma and hike up to Murma
Top, to enjoy the stunning view of the lakes and the surrounding mountains. After spending the day exploring the Rara Lake Area, the night will be spent in a very basic tea house in Rara.
Day 11: Trek from Rara Lake to Pina (2,440m/8,006ft)(Meal: BLD)
Today, we trek from the Rara Lake to Pina. After breakfast at Rara Lake, a relatively easy walk on a straight path will first take us to Gamgadhi – the headquarter of the Mugu District. From Gamghadi, the trail descends through the forest of Pine, Oak, Juniper, Rhododendron to Jhyari Khola. From here, a short uphill walk and then on a level path through the pine forest will finally take us to Pina. The night will be spent in a very basic tea house in Pina.
Day 12: Trek from Pina to Bumra (2,850m/9,351ft)(Meal: BLD)
Today, we walk from Pina to Bumra, also known as Nauri Ghat. After breakfast, continue on a circuit trail, we walk all the way through a spruce forest up to the Ghuruchi Lagna Pass, that greets us with fluttering prayer flag and the view of Karnali River and snowy peaks bordering Tibet and Nepal. After enjoying the view from the pass, we walk all the way down to Bulbule and then further south to Bumra past the fields around Chautha and few small settlements. The night will be spent in a very basic tea house in Bumra.
Day 13: Trek from Bumra to Jumla (2,540m/8,334ft)(Meal: BLD)
The last day of the trek and we walk from Bumra to Jumla. After breakfast, leaving Bumra, we first hike up to the suspension bridge located at the altitude of 3,681m. Crossing this bridge, we walk further to cross another bridge across the Hima River and continue downhill through the forest of fir, birch, walnuts and bamboo to Himdhuski. From here, the gradually rising trail will take us to the Daphe Lagna Pass past Tharmari and Khali Gaon. Enjoying the view from the pass, we will now descend to Chere Chaur and then to Jumla along the Jugad River. The night will be spent in a very basic tea house in Jumla.
Day 14: Fly from Jumla to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft) (Meal: BLD)
Today, we will first fly from Jumla to Nepalgunj and then we will fly to Kathmandu. From Kathmandu airport, we will transfer you to the hotel in Kathmandu. You can freshen up and rest your tired muscles. You can spend the remaining time as per your wish. The night will be spent at a tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 15: Departure day
Today is the last day of the trip. As per your flight schedule, we will transfer you to the airport (in a private vehicle). If your flight is scheduled in the evening, you can spend a few hours strolling the popular markets in Kathmandu.
During the trip weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factors that are beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered, if alterations are necessary the leader will decide what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimize its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays.
Cost Include
Cost Exclude
Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in the lower altitudes, however, if we are in excellent health with average physical fitness, have a positive attitude, self-confidence and strong determination, we can accomplish the trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance our strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. It is important that we consult with our doctor before we decide and set up for the Everest Base camp trek. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases should inform Treks Planner Nepal before booking the trek.
Trekking in the Himalayan region goes through unexpected complication like natural and health challenges resulting changes in the itinerary for your own security reason, If such incident happens during the trek our professional Guide, Porters and leader take you to final point safely for evacuation so, please be friendly with your guide for more achievements and protections. Flights in the Himalayan region often get cancelled even in the best season due to bad weather so we request our travelers to carry luggage for extra days.
Our website contains as much information as possible about this trip but if you want, we can still customize the itinerary according to your wish and preferable time for visit. Feel free to write to us or you can even give us a call if you would like to discuss any aspect regarding the trip.
During the trip weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factors that are beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered, if alterations are necessary the leader will decide what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimize its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays.