Rara Lake Trek

To start your Rara Lake Trek, you will first take a short flight (duration: 1 hour) to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. The flight takes you from the rolling hills around Kathmandu to the plain land of the Terai region. Nepalgunj lies in the Banke district in western Nepal, with a close border to India. Once you arrive at Nepalgunj Airport, you will complete the airport formalities, and then your guide will escort you to the hotel.

Check in at the hotel and rest for a bit. After that, you can explore the hotel area and the nearby markets as well. You can buy forgotten packing lists like sun hats, sunscreens, medicines, or clothing sets when exploring the markets. But be prepared for the hot climate in Nepalgunj.

On the second day, you will fly from Nepalgunj to Jumla. Jumla is the main gateway to the Rara Lake Trekking route. The scenic mountain flight offers beautiful views of hills and valleys before landing at Jumla Airport, one of Nepal’s highest airstrips.

Jumla is known for its terraced red rice fields and peaceful mountain atmosphere. After landing, you can explore the Khalanga Bazaar, enjoy the cool air, and prepare your gear for the trek that begins the next day.

Your walking journey on the trek to Rara Lake begins on day 3. This day, the Rara Lake trekking route takes you from Jumla to Patmara. From Jumla, the trail first heads north through the beautiful Tila Khola Valley. The first couple of hours are easy and gradual as you pass through wide, terraced fields, grazing animals, and low tree cover. Later, the path becomes steeper to ascend into the Patmara valley. You will trek through a narrow gorge with vertical cliffs on both sides, surrounded by pine and fir forests, following the Ghurseni Khola stream.

To put today’s trekking day all together, the day features a steady climb but rewards you with stunning valley views and a peaceful mountain atmosphere. Along the way, you will see locals working in the fields, probably taking care of red rice (the locals call it “Jumli Marshi Chamal”), mules carrying goods, and children going to school, cheerfully greeting you “Namaste”. By evening, you will reach Patmara, where you will rest for the night. Expect cool mountain air at night in Patmara

After breakfast, you will leave Patmara and follow the trail along the Ghurseni stream. The Rara Lake trek path initially descends through forests and farm fields. Soon, you will reach Sinja Khola and cross a wooden bridge, then continue to Bumra village. After Bumra, the trail stays high above the river and passes small villages and mani walls that show the entrance to Rara National Park.

The trail now climbs steeply through forests of birch and bamboo. Finally, you arrive at Chautha, a quiet village surrounded by hills and forests. The day involves some uphill and downhill walking, but the views of the meadows make it worthwhile. In the evening, the sunset makes the forest glow, and you can enjoy the fresh mountain air from the teahouse’s front yard.

This is the 3rd day of trekking. Today’s target is reaching Jhyari. From Chautha, you will follow a rocky trail along the stream, going uphill through a narrow forested valley. You will pass small villages and walnut trees, where local kids sometimes sell a few nuts. After some hours of uphill walking, you will reach Bhulbule, where your Rara National Park entry permit is checked.

From Bhulbule, the trail opens into a large meadow at Ghurchi Lagna Pass, decorated with prayer flags and stone cairns. You can see the Mugu Karnali River below and snow-covered peaks near Tibet. The trail then goes down through spruce forests and follows a mostly level path through pine woods, finally reaching Jhyari village.

Today’s walk takes about 5–6 hours. The landscape changes from forest to open meadows and pastures. You’ll notice fewer farms and more wildlife signs, like musk deer tracks or birdsong. Accommodation in Jhyari is simple, but the views of the mountains and forests make it a special place to rest.

It is a special day today. You will finally reach your ultimate destination, the beautiful Rara Lake. Now talking about this day’s trekking path, the trail climbs through tall cedar and hemlock forests until you reach a ridge. From here, you get your first amazing view of the lake: deep blue water surrounded by green hills and snow-capped mountains.

After the ridge, you descend to the northern shore of pristine Rara Lake and check into your lodge. Spend the evening enjoying the calm water, walking along the shoreline, and watching birds like cranes or other migratory species. This is a peaceful, quiet day with no villages around. The scenery is more than perfect for taking photos and enjoying the beauty of the lake and the surrounding hills and mountains.

You have a full day to enjoy the beauty of Rara Lake and its surroundings today. So, utilize it however you want. You can walk along the serene lakeshore, visit the Rara National Park headquarters, and climb the wooden observation tower for a wide view of the lake, forested hills of Chuchemara Danda, and the distant Saipal Mountain range that lies behind the hills.

Similarly, look out for wildlife around the lake, including wild trout, musk deer, and birds like the Himalayan monal. It’s said that the lake changes its color 5 times a day. It changes from turquoise to steel grey to a dark, mirror-like black in the evening. So, witness this magical moment as well. You can also hike in the nearby hills or take a boat ride on the clear water. It’s a calm day to relax, take photos, and enjoy nature. Overnight stay is at the lakeside lodge.

After two beautiful nights at Rara Lake, it’s time to leave the lake behind and start your return journey. Your return journey follows the Khatyar Khola and passes through pine, juniper, spruce, and rhododendron forests. The path is gentle with some small ups and downs, and may be muddy after rain. The trail goes down into the Ghatta Valley, crossing several streams and wooden bridges.

Along the way, you’ll pass shepherd huts, climb some steep sections carefully, and enjoy views of rushing mountain rivers below. After this, the trail opens into wide pastures and eventually reaches the quiet village of Gorusinha. An evening in Gorusinha is peaceful. The village is small and remote but offers beautiful mountain and forest views. Overnight stay is at the teahouse in the village.

On day 9, the return journey from the Rara Lake trek takes you towards the Sinja. Sinja was the ancient capital of the Khasa Kingdom (12th-14th century) and the birthplace of the Nepali language (Khas Bhasa). As you walk from Gorusinha to Sinja, you will see stone ruins, old temples, ancient water channels, and carved door frames of local houses. The trail is mostly downhill, so it can be a bit tougher on your knees, but it will be easier on your lungs.

After 5-6 hours of walking, you will reach Sinja Village. While here, you can explore the ancient ruins and visit the Bhagwati temple, dedicated to the goddess of justice. This way, on this day, you will experience both trekking and a cultural experience that connects you to Nepal’s fascinating past.

Today’s walk takes you from Sinja to Jaljala Chaur. You will cross the Sinja Khola several times on an old wooden bridge. You will also pass through a few small villages, pine forests, and barley and corn fields. The path then climbs slowly upward, becoming steeper as you reach the open grasslands of Jaljala Chaur.

Jaljala Chaur is a beautiful high pasture land where local people bring their horses and yaks to graze. In spring (the best time to trek), the meadow is full of colorful flowers, and the distant mountain ridges are stunning. The area feels calm and peaceful. However, please note that the nights here can be cold and windy, so wear your warm clothes.

It is the final trek day of your Rara Lake Trek. After breakfast, you will begin your walk from Jaljala Chaur. You will follow a trail that winds over gentle ridges and down through pine and rhododendron forests. Along the way, you will enjoy views of the Karnali valleys. The path from Jaljala Chaur to Jumla is a mix of earth, roots, and stone steps, so use trekking poles to walk on the longer downhill sections carefully.

As you descend, you will notice that the landscape gradually opens up. Finally, you reach Jumla, the starting point of your Rara Lake trek adventure. If you still have some energy to walk, be sure to stroll around Khalanga Bazaar again and celebrate with your team. Look back on the incredible journey through the mountains, forests, and lakes of Rara National Park as you go to sleep. Overnight stay in Jumla.

As said before, you won’t trek on this day. Instead, you will take an early morning flight to Nepalgunj from Jumla. From Nepalgunj, you will catch another flight back to Kathmandu. Once you are in Kathmandu, the warm air and city life will feel like a big change after days in the peaceful Rara National Park area. We will help you transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu.