Trekking in Rara Lake offers the best scenery on the north – western most side of Nepal. Rara Lake is 28 kilometers north of Jumla. The large lake, at an altitude of 2,980 meters, is perched on a high shelf on the northern flank of Ghurchi Lekh (4,067 m). The oval- shaped lake has a water surface of nearly eight square kilometers with hills of pine and rhododendrons around it. The peaceful surroundings are enhanced by the reflection of Ghurchi Lekh in its blue waters. Chankheli peak (4,201 m) looms in the north across the deep Mugu Karnali gorge.
The trail is very much "off the beaten path" and affords glimpses of the distinct culture of the local people. Within its confines lies the Rara National Park, the smallest park in Nepal which is home to the biggest and one of the deepest lakes of Nepal, Rara Lake, covering the area of 10.8 sq. km. at 2,990 meters. Considered one of the finest parks in the world, Rara National Park abounds in a coniferous forest and is the ideal habitat to the endangered red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, yellow-throated martin, wild dog, wild boar, common langur, rhesus macaque and common otter. During winter the Park is flocked with a great variety of birds like cots, great crested grebe, black necked grebe, red crested pochard, mallard, common teal, merganser and gulls.
Trip
Hightlights:
Duration:
14
Days
Type of Trek :
Camping
Max Altitude:
2980 m.
Minimum Pax:
2 +
Mode of travel:
Flight/Land Transportation
Grade:
Strenous
Detailed Itinerary
Day
1
Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj takes about 40 minutes. This flight offers you enchanting aerial views of the jungles and Himalayan Range. Stay overnight at lodge.
Day
2
Fly from Nepalgunj to Jumla (2370m.) takes about 35 minutes. This day you can enjoy the views of Sisne Himal, Dudu Kundari Himal and other unnamed mountains.
Day
3
Trek from Jumla to Patmara (2920m.) takes about six hours. The early part of the trail is flat and after some distance begins a steep ascent to Patmara. En route you pass pine forests, green hills and through picturesque villages. These villages are mostly inhabited by Chhetri and few other castes. Here you will find the local people exercising their distinct cultural and social practices. Patmara is a relatively big village with chortens, prayer flags, Mani walls and temples dedicated to Hindi God and Goddess. People living here follow either the Buddhist or Hindu religion.
Day
4
Trek from Patmara to Bhargaon (2690m.) takes approximately six hours. You trek along a steeply ascending path for early two hours. After you cross Kharila pass (3050m.), the trails go down gently until you reach Nyawer (2670m.). This is a small village with terraces, mud roof houses and is mainly inhabited by Chhetri. Now your trail goes gently up crossing a suspension bridge over Nyawer Khola (stream) to Bhargaon. En route you move through forests covered with pine, oak, juniper, bamboo and other local vegetation. Bhargaon is relatively a big village where there are monasteries, chorten, and prayer flags fluttering in the breeze.
Day
5
Trek from Bhargaon to Pina (2380m.) takes about six hours. The trails you move through gently ascend until you cross a suspension bridge. Again you trek along an ascending path until reaching the check point of Rara National Park at Bhulbule (3130m.). Here you have to pay an entrance fee in order to get inside the National Park. The trail to Ghurchi La Pass (3460m.) is a steep ascent before turning steeply downhill all the way to Pina. En route, you can enjoy forests covered with pine, oak, juniper, rhododendron, bamboo, wild animals and local birds.
Day
6
Trek from Pina to Gumgarhi (2580m.) takes approximately six hours. This day you cross a wooden bridge over Jhari Khola (stream) and follow a mostly ascending path. At some places the trail goes downhill. On the way, you can observe musk deer and pheasant in forests covered with pine, juniper, oak, rhododendron and other natural vegetation. You come across several villages rich in terraces, monasteries, chortens, prayer flags, mani walls and local people following the Tibetan life style. Gumgarhi is yet another village mostly inhabited by Sherpa, Gurung and other castes.
Day
7
Trek from Gumgarhi to Rara Lake (3060m.) takes about five hours.The route is mostly downhill but goes uphill for some distance. You come across villages and forests. This day you can enjoy the sight of the magnificent lake which is Rara. Naturally built, Rara lake is the biggest lake of Nepal.
Day
8
Rest at Rara Lake. On this day you can walk around the lake to see the wild animals, birds and beauty of nature.
Day
9
Trek from Rara Lake to Jhari (2500m.) takes about seven hours. To reach Jhari, you trek on a steeply descending path following forests and a wooden bridge over the Jhari Khola and villages. Jhari is a small village where you can enjoy monasteries, chortens, prayer flags and houses of Tibetan style. This is mainly inhabited by Gurung who are close to life style of Tibetan people.
Day
10
Trek from Jhari to Bhargaon (2690m.) takes six hours. The route in the beginning moves downward and after some distance turns up until you cross Ghurchi La Pass (3460m.). From here the route travels up and down for a while before descending to Bhargaon. It is a village dominated mainly by Chhetri and a few other castes. En route you pass through forests covered with pine, oak, rhododendron, juniper, green hills and several villages.
Day
11
Trek from Bhargaon to Patmara (2920m.) takes about six hours. Leaving Bhargaon, you follow a steeply descending path all the way to Khari La Pass and then the route turns steeply down to Cherry (2009m.). The route then moves through gentle flat land all the way to Patmara. Patmara is a relatively big village with chortens, prayer flags, mani walls and temples dedicated to Hindi God and Goddess. People living here follow either the Buddhist or Hindu religion.
Day
12
Trek from Patmara to Jumla (2370m.) takes about five hours. This day you trek through a steeply descending path all the way to Jumla passing splendid views of green hill, forests, villages and ridges.
Day
13
Fly from Jumla to Nepalgunj which takes about 35 minutes.
Day
14
Fly from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu which takes about 40 minutes.
The
price includes the following services:
Airport pick-up and drop off services
Trekking permit
Entry permit fee
Trekking guide
A cook
Necessary porters
Necessary kitchen helpers
Necessary sherpas
All surface transportation to the starting
point and from the ending point of the
trek
All meals three times a day (breakfast,
lunch, dinner, juice, tea, coffee, hot
chocolate, fruits etc.)
Necessary Camping equipment such as
tents, kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet
tent, mattresses, down sleeping bag, down
jacket, cooking utensils, fuel etc.
Camping charges
Necessary insurance for trekking stuff
First Aid and kits
Rescue assistance
The price does
not include:
Personal nature expenses such as all kinds of drinks, beverages, etc.
Trekking in Rara Lake offers the best scenery on the north – western most side of Nepal. Rara Lake is 28 kilometers north of Jumla. The large lake, at an altitude of 2,980 meters, is perched on a high shelf on the northern flank of Ghurchi Lekh (4,067 m). The oval- shaped lake has a water surface of nearly eight square kilometers with hills of pine and rhododendrons around it. The peaceful surroundings are enhanced by the reflection of Ghurchi Lekh in its blue waters. Chankheli peak (4,201 m) looms in the north across the deep Mugu Karnali gorge.
