Rara Lake Trekking Overview
Rara Lake Trekking is often called the “Queen of Lakes” because it is the largest and deepest freshwater lake in Nepal. It sits in the remote Mugu district of far-western Nepal. The trek goes through Rara National Park, where the air is quiet. This trek is perfect for those who want to find a quiet place that feels disconnected from the modern world. The water of the lake is famous for how it changes colors from turquoise to deep blue when the sunlight hits the surface. Unlike other Rocky Mountain areas, this trek feels like walking through a clean, untouched park that has stayed the same for a long time. Your adventure starts with a flight to Jumla, where life moves at a slow pace. From there, you travel for a week through high, windy passes and hidden valleys to reach the lake.
Major Highlights of the Rara Lake Trekking
- Discover Rara Lake, which is the deepest lake in the country.
- Walk through the clean woods of Rara National Park, which is a great place to see rare animals like the Red Panda.
- Cross high points like the Jaljala Pass and Danphe Lagna Pass to see wide views of the mountains.
- Explore the Sinja Valley, a historical site that was the capital of an old kingdom and the start of the Nepali language.
- Travel through deep forests of pine and cypress trees that turn red and pink when the flowers bloom.
- Enjoy a rest day by the water with options for a quiet boat ride or a hike to a wooden view tower.
- Visit lonely mountain villages where the local culture and way of life remain completely traditional.
- See the snow-capped tops of the Sisne and Kanjirowa ranges reflected in the clear water like a mirror.
- Follow a peaceful and silent trail that helps you leave the noise of the world behind and connect with nature.
The Sinja Valley and Local Culture
This trek is a cultural journey that explores the roots of mountain life. A large part of the trail goes through the Sinja Valley, which was the capital of the Khasa Kingdom hundreds of years ago. As you walk along the river, you see old stone ruins and signs that show this valley is the birthplace of the modern Nepali language. The area feels like a museum where the history of Nepal is written into the rocks and cliffs.
The people in these western hills live a simple life that has not changed for a long time. You pass through small villages like Bota and Pina, where houses are built from local stone and clay. Farmers here still use wooden tools to work on their steep fields. Staying in these spots gives you a real look at a side of Nepal that few people see. The locals are very kind, and sharing a meal in their homes helps you feel a deep connection to their traditions.
Travel Logistics and Accommodations
The journey to Rara Lake begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, followed by another small plane flight to the mountain airstrip in Jumla. These flights offer your first look at the vast ridges and deep valleys of the western region. Once the trek begins, you stay in basic teahouses in the small villages along the trail. These rooms are simple and usually have twin beds, providing a warm place to rest after a day of walking.
In the most remote sections and inside the national park, the facilities become even more basic. You will eat simple, filling meals like Dal Bhat, which provides the energy needed for the high passes. Because there are fewer tourists here than in the Manaslu Circuit Trek or Annapurna Circuit Trek, the teahouses are quiet and offer an authentic experience of mountain hospitality. It is important to carry a good sleeping bag, as the nights can get very cold at these higher elevations.
Physical Preparation and the Path to the Lake
While this trek is not as high as others, it is still a challenge because you must cross several high ridges and passes. The trail moves through many settings, from warm river valleys to high, windy spots like the Ghurchi Lagna pass.
The best moment happens when you reach the top of the Chuchemara ridge and see Rara Lake for the first time. From high up, the water looks like a blue gem sitting in a green forest. The final walk down to the water goes through fields full of wildflowers. Spending a rest day at the lake lets you enjoy the total silence and peace of the region. Moving at a slow and steady pace is the best way to stay safe and succeed at higher altitudes.
| Day |
Destination |
Sleep altitude |
Duration |
Distance |
Activities |
| 01 |
Kathmandu |
1345 m |
30 min |
7 km |
Arrival, hotel transfer, briefing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trip Details Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu 1,345 m and then transfer to respective Hotels
- Distance : 30 Minutes transfer to hotel
- Duration : 01 Day
- Max. Altitude :1345m.
On reaching Kathmandu via respective airlines well received by company guides and staff for a short drive in the hub of Kathmandu city where your hotels located.After checking into your lovely rooms getting refreshed join in at the Hotel lobby for a group briefing regarding treks and other useful information to make your stay in Nepal enjoyable and pleasant. the evening includes a group welcome dinner in nice Nepalese restaurants with cultural programs as entertainment with the dinner.
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meals Include: Dinner
Day 02: In Kathmandu, sightseeing afternoon fly to Nepalgunj for the journey to Rara Lake.
- Distance : Explore day
- Duration :
- Max. Altitude :1345m.
The morning after breakfast leave for our exciting cultural and historical tour around Nepal’s best World Heritage Sites which includes old Durbar Square (Palace Courtyard), Old Swayambhunath Stupa, and other places of interest. After an interesting tour, the afternoon short drive to Kathmandu domestic airport for the scenic flight to land at Nepalgunj airport located Nepal Far South West within the warmer sub-tropical climate. On reaching Nepalgunj airport transfer to the city hotels for an overnight stop before flying towards the Far North to Jumla next early morning.
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meals Include: Breakfast
Day 03: Fly to Jumla 2,540 m and then walk to ChauriyaChaur 3,055 - 05 hrs.
- Distance : 3,055 - 05 hrs.
- Duration : 03 Day
- Max. Altitude :3,055m.
Early breakfast for another short connecting flight to Jumla the headquarter town of the whole Jumla area which is en route to Lake Rara, as our scenic short flight lands at the small airstrip of Jumla.From herewith to get organized and then walk to our first overnight stop at ChauriyaChaur as the walk leads to climbing over a hill passing several farm villages and cultivated terraces.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04: Trek on route Bota via Jaljala pass at 3,585 m - 06 hrs.
- Distance : 06 hrs.
- Duration : 04 Day
- Max. Altitude : 3,585 m
Enjoying our first pleasant overnight stop on high hills of far western Nepal, where morning walk begins with more climb into forested areas of rhododendron, birch, and pine trees to reach a green hilltop ridge, which is a pass which is called aljalaBhanjyang offers glorious views of Kanjiroba and Api Himal. The walk continues downhill for a few hours to reach a summer pasture for overnight camp, a nice spot of a grass field in the middle of nowhere.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05: Trek to Bota 2, 680m via Sinja Khola 2,440 m -06 hrs.
- Distance : 06 hrs.
- Duration : 05 Day
- Max. Altitude :2, 680m
This morning walk takes us to the Sinja area on the downhill for few hours following Jaljala Khola (stream) downstream into the forested area of dense pine forest leading to terraced farm areas a Sinja village (this was an old kingdom during Malla era), one can notice ancient rundown, ruin temples and monuments, old sculptured stones, covered with thick moss and weeds. From here following a river upstream to a village at Ganj, after a nice stop continues to walk through an interesting gorge to the overnight stop at Bota village.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06: Trek to Ghorasinga 3,050m near Rara Lake - 06 hrs.
- Distance : 06 hrs.
- Duration : 06 Day
- Max. Altitude :3,050m
A pleasant walk this morning to Ghorasinga to reach the entrance of Rara National Park, on leaving Sinja Khola following a stream of Ghatte Khola further north, then a short climb to reach a wonderful valley with farmlands and an interesting primitive water mill. From here walk to overnight camp at Ghorasinga on the outer rim of Rara National Park with a small police post, afternoon at leisure for a short walk or just relax and catch up with the dairy.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 07: Trek to Rara Lake 2,980m - 06 hrs.
- Distance : 06 hrs.
- Duration : 07 Day
- Max. Altitude :2,980m
Today walk leads to our main highlight and final destination at Rara into Nepal largest Lake, starting morning walk heading uphill to ChuchemaraDanda at above 4,260 meters high with great views of landscapes and snowcapped mountains, from here downhill through forest of bamboo and birch trees, crossing Khatyar Khola upstream to reach our destination at Rara Lake for overnight stops. At Rara lake with a few nice lodges and guest-house built by the Park administration for visitors.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 08: Rest day for the excursion by the lake.
- Distance : Rest Day
- Duration : 08 Day
- Max. Altitude :2,980m
A great and ideal spot for the rest day, where one can explore this scenic area where few foreign visitors seldom venture around this beautiful place, a climb to a wooden tower for best views of Rara Lake with surrounding beautiful rolling green hills and snowcapped peaks.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 09: Trek to Pina 2,440m via Jhyari 2,635 m- 05 hrs.
- Distance : 05 hrs.
- Duration : 09 Day
- Max. Altitude :2,635 m
After an enjoyable and relaxing time at Rara Lake, return trek to Jumla leads via the high route, morning starts with a climbing walk to a ridge at Jhyari with a small farm village. From here following JhyariBeri Khola downstream for a short while and then crossing Dhauligar Khola valley, towards our overnight camp at Pina another nice small farm village with few moderate size houses serving as the lodge, tea shops.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Trek to Chauta 2,807 m via GhurchiLagna pass 3,480 m.
- Distance : 6 Hrs
- Duration : 10 Day
- Max. Altitude :3,480 m.
Morning walks leads uphill into serene woodland with a gorgeous vista of mountains, and then reaching Ghurchi- Lagna pass the highest point of this wonderful trek, the top festooned with Buddhist prayer flags, the walk descends across a nice grassy meadow into walnut groves heading to a steep and narrow valley to Chauta village for an overnight stop, a small place with few shops, simple lodges.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Trek to Khaligaon 3,685 via Tharamara3,270 m - 06 hrs.
- Distance : 06 hrs.
- Duration : 11 Day
- Max. Altitude :3,685m.
After a pleasant and interesting time at Chauta village, the morning trek follows Sinja Khola to Burma village leading past overhanging rock at Kamra, which is a source of an important herbal medicinal mineral called Sivaji. From here a long descend to Sinja Khola, walking past Nyawre village, with a refreshing stop, continue to walk following the river with 600 m climb to Tharamara ridge top and then heading higher at Khaligaon with fabulous views of surrounding dramatic landscapes with snow-clad peaks overnight on this nice Khaligaon village.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Trek back to Jumla via DanpheLagna 3,691 m - 06 hrs.
- Distance : 06 hrs.
- Duration : 12 Day
- Max. Altitude :3,691 m
Today our last walk of the wonderful journey where morning trek leads on the top highest point of the adventure at DanpheLagna located above 3,691 m to reach back at Jumla overlooking stunning views of country landscapes with high snowcapped peaks of Api and Shaipal.From here with the long downhill to reach a green valley lined with rhododendron, oaks and pines trees, on leaving the forested area back into fertile farm country with well-tended terraces, walk leads past several smaller villages of Padmara and then following the same river for some time leading to Jumla town for last overnight.
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj and then transfer to your hotels.
- Distance : 1 Hours fly
- Duration : 13 Day
- Max. Altitude :1345m.
After a wonderful time around Rara Lake and in the high mountains, taking a morning flight back to Kathmandu with short transit at Nepalgunj airport, on reaching Kathmandu after a scenic flight, transfer to respective hotels with afternoon free at leisure or last day shopping souvenirs and handicrafts.
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meals Include: Breakfast
Day 14: Extra and spare day in Kathmandu as the contingency.
- Distance : Explore day
- Duration : 14 Day
- Max. Altitude :1345m.
We have set a free and extra day as the contingency in case of flight delay and problems due to unfavorable bad weather conditions, which can occur sometimes as the Himalayan weather pattern can be unpredictable. If all goes well according to our well set itinerary days, one can enjoy a free day relaxing or join in another tour around Kathmandu-Patan and Bhaktapur cities.
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meals Include: Breakfast
Day 15: International Departure for Homeward bound.
- Distance : 30 Minutes
- Duration : 15 Day
- Max. Altitude :
Last day in Nepal in the country of high Himalayan mountains with fascinating culture, after a memorable time on Experience Lake Rara and as per your international flight time, our staff transfers you to the airport for the flight homeward bound or to your next port of call and respective countries.
- Accommodation:
- Meals Include: Breakfast
Wonderful winter Manaslu circuit Trek