Rara Trek
Rara lake trek is one the most fascinating treks in the north-western side of Nepal located in the remote area of Karnali. Standing at 2990m the largest lake of country, Rara lake, is surrounded by Rara National park- Nepal’s smallest and most scenic national park. Also called Queen of lakes, Rara mirrors snow capped Himalayas along with blue pine, black juniper forest surrounding it. Being one of the least inhabited trekking routes and very much off the beaten track, it gives you a feel for the natural environment along with glimpses of culture and scenery very different from the rest of the Nepal.
Rara trek begins after we arrive at Jumla via flight from Nepalgunj. We trekking trail passes through Danphe Kanga, Chautha, Dhotu and reaches pristine Rara lake. We explore around Rara lake for a day or two. We can use tented camps during the journey. Then we trek to Ghorasain, Sinja, Jaljala Chaura and back to Jumla. We fly back to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu. Chuchemara Dauda (4087m) is the best vantage point to get the magnificent views of the lake and highly forested hillside along with snow-capped mountains around it.Home to 20 species of mammals and 214 species of birds Rara National Park is a great spot for observing wildlife such as deer, leopards, ghorals, thar, Himalayan black bear and rare red panda. Bird species include the beautiful Lophophorus (national bird of Nepal), Peregrin falcon and many types of partridges, flycatchers, bulbuls, cuckoos and eagles. Many species of birds visit this area during their seasonal migration in November and April. The trekking route Passes through the region that offers cultural interactions with warm welcoming local people. We might meet followes of Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhist families living in isolated villages.
Rara trek is a virgin trademark of Nepal’s original beauty which goes through remote, untamed, enchanting landscapes, water scapes, natural vegetation and many more. The undisturbed Rara lake is gem of Nepal.
Brief Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Sightseeing of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur city
Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj
Day 04: Fly from Jumla and trek to Padmara.
Day 05: Trek to Bumra(2830m)
Day 06: Trek to Pine(2430m)
Day 07: Trek to Rara Lake
Day 08: Exploration at Rara Lake
Day 09: Trek to Ghorasain(3271m)
Day 10: Trek to Sinja
Day 11: Trek to Chere Chaur
Day 12: Trek to Jumla
Day 13:Flight to Nepalgunj and Flight to Kathmandu
Day 14: Transfer to the airport for the final departure
Cost Includes
- Food and accomodation cost during the trip.
- Charge to guide and porter.
- Hotel in Kathmandu that includes bed and breakfast only.
- Refreshment for tea or coffee as per your desire.
- Permit fee for international visitors.
- All sorts of Entry fees
- Airfare charges for Kathmandu Rara Kathmandu.
- All ground transportation.
- Homestay or camping as per your desire.
- First aid kit during the entire trip.
- Special local food items.
- English speaking guide for trekking
- For 2 client 1 porteris included for carrying back packed during the trip.
Cost Excludes
- All sorts of beverage items and colddrinks like Coke, fanta, beer etc.
- Emergency Rescue Charge.
- All sorts of International Faire charges.
- Tips for Guide and porter.
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Personal shopping on the entire journey.
- Others than specified.
Day 01: Arrival In Kathmandu
Your wonderful journey to the amazing Himalayas starts from your flight to Kathmandu. Onto your arrival our company representatives from Leaf Holidays will greet you at the Tribhuwan International Airport and escort you to the hotel for check-in and stay overnight. You will have a rest at the hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur city
You start a guided tour to four of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. Kathmandu Durbar Square holds the palaces of the medieval Kings who ruled over the Kathmandu Kingdom. Pashupatinath houses a sacred Lingum, or the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. The Aryaghat alongside Pashupati and on the banks of the Bagmati River is a famous funeral site for the Hindus. The Buddhists shrine of Boudhanath is one of the largest stupas in the world, and one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage and tourist destinations in Kathmandu. The area of Boudhnath is also famous for over 50 Tibetan Gompas or monasteries. Swayambhu meaning the "the self-existent" is popular among the foreigners as the Monkey Temple owing to the large number of monkey population residing in the area. Bhaktapur Durbar square and Patan Durbar Square are also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Bhakatpur is an irresistible city with an authentic local lifestyle preserved over centuries of isolation from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. While in the city square, you get to admire the Nyata-Pola Temple, the Golden Gate, water spouts and the 55 Window Palace which merge together to provide an ambience of a magical outdoor theater to its visitors. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj
After early morning breakfast we take a scenic flight around 30 minutes to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. After we reach Nepalgunj we will take rest at hotel. Overnight at hotel in Nepalgunj.
Day 04: Fly from Jumla and trek to Padmara.
We will have a flight to Jumla town (2340m). The town is in a valley and their paddy is cultivated (making Jumla the highest place on earth where agricultural products are grown. The town is the administrative headquarters of the Karnali Zone. From Jumla we start walking towards Padmara. There are two tracks leading north to Gumgarhi and Rara. One is a trail leading directly from the north of the town. The other is more popular trek route that turns east of the town towards Dansanhu (2347m) at the confluence of Tila Nadi with Chaudbise Khola. Two hours further is Urthu (2520m) at the confluence of Chaudbise Khola and Ghurseni Khola. The bridge leads east to Chaudbise area. The trek now ascends steeply through the narrow gorge of the Ghurseni Khola, keeping all the time to its right slope. Padmara (3017m), a Chhetri village at the head of the valley is one hour beyond the canyon head. Overnight at camp.
Day 05: Trek to Bumra(2830m)
The track beyond Padmara continues rising along the north side of Ghurseni stream. We leave the last fields at 3048 meters and climb to the first pass, Khali Langa (3545m), four kilometers from Padmara. We follow down the right bank of stream to a foot-bridge at 3353 meter and cross it to the west side. We continue descending north for one hour through dense forest to reach a log bridge at 2743 meters over Sinja Khola, here called Lah Gad. Cross the bridge to the north side, turn west and climb to Bumra (2830m) about two kilometers further. Overnight at camp.
Day 06: Trek to Pine(2430m)
After having breakfast we begin our trek. After one kilometer at the end of the fields, the track turns north into the tributary stream of Ghautha Khola. We cross the bridge to the west side and climb to Chautha (3100m) with a dense forest. After an hour we will reach to the valley. We keep to the left stream until a western tributary joins it. Before reaching Ghurchi Langna (3457m) we climb up the narrow gully on the north east slope and skirt north across a series of spurs to reach Pine (2430m). Overnight at camp.
Day 07: Trek to Rara Lake
Rara lake is only eight kilometers west of Pine. It is a short, pleasant trek with fine views to the north. We cross the bridge and climb up to the hamlet of Jhari from Pina (2500m). It will take just over two hours to reach Jhari form Pina. We will continue our journey. The large lake is visible directly north of this saddle. From here, it is pleasant descent to the meadows on the south side of the lake. The village site of Rara (3040m) on the north side is a pleasant two hours walk along the western bank of the lake. Overnight at camp.
Day 08: Exploration at Rara Lake
Today is our rest day. We explore aroung rara lake this day. Rara area was designated a National Park in 1975 and it takes about eight hours to walk round the lake. Overnight at camp.
Day 09: Trek to Ghorasain(3271m)
After having breakfast we begin our walk to the lake outlet (2980m) and follow the downstream of Khatyar Gad for an hour. There is a suspnsion bridge over the stream below Murma (3139m). We will cross the bridge to the south side and ascend 400 meters to reach an open clearing at 3277 meters. The path continues climbing south through dense forest until the tree line is reached at 3658m. The ridge continues to south for another 200 meters but it is pleasant trail with distant view of the mountains. There is no pass on this high ridge and the trail turns south-east at an altitude of 3749m and descends by the east side of Chuchemara Danda. It is a fairly steep descent to Ghorasain (3271m). Overnight at Ghorasain. Overnight at camp.
Day 10: Trek to Sinja
From Ghorasain there is trail down the valley to Botan (2895m). A more interesting trail with better scenic prospect is to climb Diyabala Danda due south of Ghorasain. The climb begins immediately west of Ghorasain and takes about an hour through forest to top the crest at 5351 meters. The trail then skirts south-east above the high fields of Lumsa. There are good views to the south along the Sinja valley. The trail descends to Okharpati village (3100m) on a high shelf above Mindrabali Gad. The descent from Okharpati to Sinja takes less than two hours. Overnight at Simja in Camp
Day 11: Trek to Chere Chaur
We cross the log bridge over Sinja Khola to the east and follow the south bank of Jaljale Gad beyond Kotgaon near Lamathada. We follow the stream for another five kilometers due east. Then we ascend the ridge (2865m) briefly to descend to the same stream again. The trail clings to the south side of the stream all the way for another nine kilometers. The trail twists and turns along the stream but it is a pleasant trail amidst forest wilderness. Finally, the trail goes east along a gully to ascend a pass at 3597m. We descend east along a wide meadow into the headquarters of Ju Gad that drains to Jumla town. Descend east along the stream and transverse another kilometers to Chere Chaur (2987m). Overnight at camp.
Day 12: Trek to Jumla
Chere Chaur is a delightful alpine pasture where flowers are in profusion during later summer. It provides good views of the Jumla town, Tila valley and Chyakhure Lekh beyond. The return to the town camp is pleasant descent in slow stages. Overnight at camp.
Day 13:Flight to Nepalgunj and Flight to Kathmandu
Early in the morning we will have a flight to Nepalgunj. After we reach Nepalgunj then flight to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner in Kathmandu onto the completion of trekking. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Transfer to the airport for the final departure
Nearly 2 hours before your scheduled flight, our company representative will take you to the airport. We are sure; you will back to your home taking amazing experience of Nepal. We hope you enjoyed trekking and want to be somewhere in the Himalayas again.
