Highlight of the Rara Lake Trek in Nepal
- Rara Lake is the largest lake in Nepal: A turquoise alpine lake at 2990 meters, surrounded by pine, juniper, and snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
- Rara National Park: The smallest national park, covering about 106 Sq. Km, home to rare wildlife including the Himalayan thar, Red Panda, Black bear, and many more.
- Enjoy an off-the-beaten-trails experience where you meet few to no tourists.
- Local Cultural Experience: Interact with friendly locals from Tibetan-influenced and Malla-Khas communities.
- Scenic flight and rugged Trails: Scenic flight to Nepalgunj and Jumla, then followed by rugged trekking trails through lush meadows, alpine forest, and picturesque hills.
- Virgin Natural Beauty: Less-traveled trails, crystal clear water, and tranquil surroundings make Rara Lake a perfect choice for trekkers. Suitable with moderate fitness level trekkers with no technical requirements.
- Latest developments and updates in Rara National Park:
- The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) office was officially inaugurated on May 4, 2025, in Hutu, within the National Park Headquarters in Karnali Province. Aiming to strengthen biodiversity conservation and foster nature-based tourism.
Challenges of the Rara Lake Trek in Nepal
Rara has just connected with air and road connectivity. Still, the road services are underway to black top. Local communities say that, due to the lack of road services, accommodation facilities, and last part construction limits the tourism potential. There is currently two hotels available-Danfe Chamena Ghiha and Village Heritage Resort, which are not sufficient, and trekkers are facing a shortage of bookings. The lodging and dining facilities are limited during the major trekking season. A 14 km Cycle Track is under construction around the Rara Lake, which must be completed in 2026 as per the deadline schedule. The high-end Rara Resort is going to build on the Murma Top under a two-year (2025-2027) timeline.
How to go Rara Lake Trek and how long does it take?
There are two options to go to the Rara Lake trek in Nepal.
Option I: Take a scenic flight to Nepalgunj, then fly the next morning to Talcha or Jumla. Talcha is the closest airport to Rara Lake. Upon arrival, walk about 3 hours to Rara Lake. If you fly to Jumla, it will be a roughly 3-day trek to reach Rara Lake.
Option II: Take an overnight bus from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, which takes about 10-12 hours. Nepalgunj to Kalikot is a full-day drive. From Kalikot to Nagma and Gamgadhi, a distance of 93 km, it takes about 8 hours. Gamgadhi serves as the gateway to Rara Lake and involves about a 4-hour walk to reach the lake. The bus trip is generally a good option for budget travelers, even though it is long and uncomfortable.
Transport cost by air
- Kathmandu (KTM) to Nepalgunj (KEP)---132 USD
- Nepalgunj (KEP) to Jumla (JUM) ---- 183 USD
- Nepalgunj (KEP) to Talcha (TLH)…220 USD
Best time for Rara Lake Trek in Nepal
The best trekking and hiking seasons to visit Rara Lake are the Spring season (March to June) and the Autumn season (September to November). This season offers moderate temperatures, clear skies, dry paths, and stunning views. The winter (December to February) temperature is freezing, and may be blocked with heavy snowfall. Summer (July to August) is heavy rainfall, causing floods and landslides along the way.
Rara Lake Trek is one of the most scenic trekking destinations in Nepal. The Rara Lake Trek can be completed in 7 days to 11 days, and tea house accommodation is available throughout the trek. Embark on an 11-day trek to Rara and explore it at your own pace. Do some boating on the Rara Lake and hike to Murma top for the breathtaking views or enjoy encircling the lake on foot. Writer suggestion: take a deluxe bus to Nepalgunj and fly to Jumla or Talcha, this is the best option to accomplish the Rara Lake Trek. If you are a seasoned traveler, connect your stunning Rara Lake journey with the culturally rich and rugged landscape of Upper Dolpo over the high Himalayas. Looking for more info, contact here.
