Overview
The Rara Lake located at an altitude of 2,980m is one of the popular off-the-beaten treks in the Karnali district. Rara Lake, also known as ‘Mahendra Daha’ is the largest lake in the country surrounded by Rara National Park. The park shelters 1,074 species of animals and animals Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Black Panther, Musk Deer, Red Panda, Wild Boar, Rhesus, Langur (Monkeys) etc. The trekking trials comprised of climbs and descend that traverse through lush low land, alpine forests, glaciers, rivers, Buddhist monasteries, temples, and ethnic villages. Due to the lake’s unique geographical positioning, it is considered as one of the most beautiful regions in terms of biodiversity with varied floras and faunas. The routes of the trek are filled up with panoramic views of majestic mountains. The trek to Rara Lake begins from Jumla, one of the highest rice-growing areas in Nepal located on the banks of the Tila Khola (2370m) with a gradual ascent towards Rara Lake traversing Danphe Langa, Chautha and Dhotu. After exploring the magnificent lake, the route descends towards Gorosingha, Sinja, Jaljala Chaur, and ends again at Jumla. Rara Lake Trekking is ideal for any trekking enthusiasts who wish to get acquainted with the mystic beauties of towering mountains and get close to nature.
Outline Trekking Itinerary for Rara Lake Trekking
Day 01 : Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 02 : Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek preparation
Day 03 : Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (55 minutes flight)
Day 04 : Nepalgunj to Jumla (2370m) (35 minutes flight) to Danphe Langa (3500m) 4-5 hrs
Day 05 : Danphe Lagna to Chautha (2770m) 5-6 hrs
Day 06 : Chauta to Dhotu (2380m) 5-6 hrs
Day 07 : Dhotu to Rara Lake (2980m) 4-5 hrs
Day 08 : Acclimatization/ Explore Rara Lake
Day 09 : Rara Lake to Gorosingha (3190m) 5-6 hrs
Day 10 : Gorosingha to Sinja (2440m) 5-6 hrs
Day 11 : Sinja to Jaljala Chaur (3270m) 5-6 hrs
Day 12 : Jaljal Chaur to Jumla (2370m)
Day 13 : Jumla to Nepalgunj (35 minutes flight), Nepalgunj to Kathmandu (55 minutes flight)
Day 14 : Transfer to Airport for your onward destination
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy Kathmandu Sightseeing with visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Board scenic round flights of Kathmandu- Nepalgunj- Jumla with amazing sceneries.
- Witness breathtaking mountains views along the trekking trail
- Explore Rara National Park with varieties of floras and faunas
- Explore the majestic Rara Lake, the biggest lake of Nepal in the Karnali District.
- Discover the ethnic traditional culture of western Nepal.
Itinerary
After landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu from your designated destinations, you will be received by a representative of the travel company at the arrival gate who will then transfer you to you allotted hotels. If the time persists, you can either visit the city or relax at the hotel to overcome your jet lag. O/N at Hotel.
The Kathmandu sightseeing trip will begin in the morning. After breakfast, you will be taken towards Kathmandu Durbar (Palace) Square, one of the heritage sites where you can view many historical and cultural monuments. Later, you will visit another heritage site known as Pashupatinath Temple. This is a sacred Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva which is always crowded by Hindu pilgrims. After lunch, visit to Buddhist pilgrimage Swoyambhunath (famous by the name of Monkey temple among tourists) will be carried forward. Likewise, Boudhanath Shrine will be covered by the evening. After concluding the sightseeing, you can prepare for the following day’s trek. O/N at Hotel.
After your two days stay in the capital city, on this day, you will fly to Nepalgunj. As per the flight schedule you will be taken to the domestic airport for the scenic flight. During this 55 minutes long flight, you can see the most amazing natural views from the airplane’s window along with an aerial view of the beautiful Terai region of the county. After arriving in Nepalgunj, the company representative will receive you and transfer you to the pre-booked hotels. During the day, you can explore the Nepalgunj bazaar which is highly dominated by Indian products. O/N at Hotel.
On the day, you will board flight to Jumla, a delightful valley in rural western Nepal in the early morning hours. During this 35 minutes flight, you can view Annapurna and Dhaulagiri from the airplane’s window. After landing in Jumla, you can explore the ethnic village for some time. After lunch, you will head towards Danphe Langa walking downhill through the terraced fields. You will have to trek through some narrow gorges which will prove adventurous at times. By the time you are about to reach Danphe Langa, the trail leads up to a forest where you can see varieties of floras that includes spruces, birches and rhododendrons. O/N at Camp.
Trekking on a forested trail, on the day, you will head towards Chautha. On the way, you can see trees of fir, birch, walnut, bamboo etc. Later on, the trek will ascend towards Tradtopma Bhara village. Form the village, the route will descend towards Chauro River leading towards the destination of the day at Chautha village. O/N at Camp.
The day is going to be the memorable one as you have to walk past the Rara National Park. During the quest, you can witness various floras and faunas. On the route, while passing through Ghurchi Lagna pass, you will explore some Chortens. After visiting these Buddhist monuments, you will have to descend trough spruce forests towards Dhotu for an overnight camping. O/N at Camp.
This is the most important day of the trek as you prepare to hike towards the amazing natural splendor i.e. Rara Lake, the biggest lake in the country. Your journey to the pristine lake will start in the morning passing though different streams towards Jhyari village. You will be enthralled to see a glimpse of the serene lake while passing through the meadows. The entrance towards the lake will be made by its northern trail where the park headquarters and the camping grounds are located. O/N at Camp.
On the day, you will wake up in the premises of Rara Lake. The day is reserved for acclimatization and exploration purposes. You can walk around the lake and take pictures of the magnificent lake. From the camp point, the view of the lake is mesmerizing, and you can easily get indulged on its beauty. Also, you can see some animals and birds during your full day stay at the lake’s vicinity. O/N at Camp.
Walking past Khatyar River, on the day, you will proceed towards Gorusingha. After descending for few hours, you will come across pine, spruce and rhododendron forests. After getting past the forest, you will reach Ghatta valley, a place to unload yourself for a quick breather. Following the trail, you will reach small settlement of Gorusingha where you will stay overnight in tents. O/N at Camp.
The day’s route will be on descending side. You will head towards the historical Sinja village which shares history of Malla Dynasty who ruled the western Nepal during 12th -14th centuries. During the trek, you can see many historical monuments along with the remains of ancient palaces. O/N at Camp.
On the day, your trek to Jaljala Chaur will be carried on by crossing a wooden cantilever bridge along the Sinja River. You will pass through different villages along the trek path and embark on series of quaint log bridges. By the time you are about to reach the Jaljala Chara, the path will climb steeply. You can heave a sigh of relief after this climb to reach the grassland where you can see numbers of horses grazing. After exploring the vicinity for some time, you will be assigned a spot for an overnight camping. O/N at Camp.
This is the final day of the trek as you prepare to return towards Jumla, the initial place of the trek. The route is comprised of meadows, villages, forest which gives you a roller coaster ride, ascending and descending at regular intervals. You need to walk on a slope to reach Jumla before dusk. No more camping on the day, as the place is equipped with good lodges for an overnight stay. O/N at Lodge.
You have completed your trekking as you wait to board a Kathmandu bound flight from Jumla with a brief transit at Nepalgunj. You excitement level will proliferate as the plane flies between hills before it reaches to a required elevation. The 35 minutes Nepalgunj bound flight will also give you a bird’s eye view of glorious Nepaljung city by the time it prepares to land. After landing at the Nepaljung airport, you will wait for you connecting flight towards Kathmandu. If there is enough time between the connecting flights, then you can go for a brisk visit to Nepalgunj city. Moreover, after you land in Kathmandu, the remaining day in the capital city will be all yours. You can do whatever you like. You can relax at the hotel or visit markets for the final day’s shopping. O/N at Hotel.
As per your flight timings, you will be escorted by one of the representatives of Breakfree Adventures to the international terminal at the Tribhuvan International Airport approximately three hours before your flight schedule from your hotel in Kathmandu. A day to bid farewell to the glorious country situated in the South Asia. While waiting for your flight, you can make plans to venture other destinations of the majestic country in near future.
We hope you had a lovely time with us. Breakfree Adventures would be obliged to be your travel partner during your next adventure in Nepal. Have a safe flight back home!
Cost
What is Included
- Airport pick up / drop off by private vehicle as per the itinerary.
- Accommodation in Kathmandu including breakfast as per the itinerary.
- Guided Kathmandu city tours inclusive of private vehicle and guide.
- Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Jumla - Nepalgunj - Kathmandu round flight fares
- Domestic airport departure tax.
- Accommodation during the trek at Tent/Camp or guest houses/lodges.
- Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the trek.
- Experienced English speaking trekking guide and necessary porters (1 Porter for 2 trekkers) during the trek including their transportation, food, accommodation, salary, equipments and insurance.
- All necessary trek permit.
- Rara National Park entrance fees.
- Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS) card fees. (Please bring 2 passport size photos for TIMS & Permit)
- First Aid medical kit.
- Duffle bag, down jacket, sleeping bag and walking pole.
- Breakfree Adventures T-shirt, trekking map and trip achievement certificate.
- Farewell dinner in Authentic Nepali Restaurant.
- All government taxes, VAT and office service charge.
What is Not Included
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu.
- Monuments entrance fees while sightseeing in Kathmandu.
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu if needed.
- Nepal entry visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs for faster service)
- International airfare and travel insurance.
- Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, hot shower etc.)
- Any kind of drinks (tea/coffee, hot chocolate, boiled water, bottle water, cola, beer etc.)
- Tips for guide, driver and porter.
Trip Information
We will provide you with comprehensive information on the every trek and tour we arrange. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require more information or have any questions, we are more than happy to assist you in anyway.
When to go:
Spring (February, March, April, May) and Autumn (October, November) are the best seasons for the Rara Lake Trekking. Trekking in summer/monsoon (June, July) will be affected by rain but summer trek could be a boon for a keen botanist. The trekking routes are crowded during spring and autumn but during monsoon and winter the routes are not packed and you could enjoy rather best of nature.
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is highly recommended and is in fact compulsory should you be going trekking, rafting, paragliding etc. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, helicopter rescue, loss of luggage, etc. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please check with your insurance company that adventure activities and trekking above 3000m are covered in your policy, as some companies do not cover such things. You must carry proof of insurance (e.g. your insurance certificate) with you on the holiday; if you cannot provide this at the start of the holiday, you will be required to take out a suitable policy at that time.
Meals and Accommodation:
In Kathmandu, we normally use 3 stars hotel with breakfast but can upgrade upon request. During the Rara Lake Trekking, we provide the best available camping tents (twin sharing), kitchen equipment, toilet & dining tents. If you are travelling in a group, you will share a tent with someone else of the same gender from your group. If you prefer a single tent, you may indicate your preference on request and pay a supplement. So in this arrangement overnight halts will be as fully organized camping program.
We provide quality food in sufficient quantities (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on a set menu prepared by our experienced cook & kitchen staff. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive but it will be wholesome & nutritious with variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup & seasonal vegetables. A variety of cereals, bread and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. You can ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water and treat with water purification pills.
Fitness and Experience Required:
Our 14 days Rara Lake Trekking is moderate trek suitable for passionate walkers who have ability to walk at least 5-6 hours a day with a light day pack. Walking in higher altitude is physically demanding than walking in the lower altitudes; however, if you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have positive attitude, self confidence and strong determination, you can accomplish the 14 days Rara Lake Trekking successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior of the trip are good idea to enhance your strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood disease should inform us before booking the trek.
The Trekking Group:
For the Rara Lake Trekking, there will be one Guide, assistant Guide (6 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and porter for luggage carrying (2 trekkers: 1 porter). This arrangement ensures that should anybody in the group is sick; the trip can still go ahead as planned. We can run the Rara Lake Trekking for group of any size, but generally have a maximum of sixteen people, as we’ve found this to be the optimum size for a successful trip. However, if you’d like to make a group booking for more than twelve people together, we can arrange this too.
Trekking Guides and Staff:
The most significant thing that makes your Rara Lake Trekking successful, enjoyable and memorable is the expert, experienced, courteous and helpful trek and Guide and the crew members who have ability of operating your days in the mountain smoothly. Your trip will be led by the best and most professional Guide. All of our Trekking Guides are carefully selected on the basis of their appropriate experience, Guiding skills and personal aptitude. With an objective of sustaining local communities Breakfree Adventures employs staffs who have plenty of knowledgeable about culture, flora and fauna, geography, and history of Nepal. Trekking Guide of Breakfree Adventures are also trained with following trainings to make them educated on potential medical issues during their trek, biodiversity and environmental issues, English language, etc:
Intensive Wilderness First Aid – KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)
Trekking Guide Training – Nepal Governments Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation department of Hotel Management and Tourism Training Centre of Nepal
Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal)
English Language – KEEP (Kathmandu environment education project)
Conservation and Biodiversity TAAN
Rock, Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (Climbing leaders) Nepal Mountaineering Association
Our Trekking Guides obviously speak English sufficient enough to communicate but please consider this is not our mother language. The guides and porters know the routes and locality like the back of their hand, they practice the local culture themselves and they are extremely passionate about their country and its cultural aspects.
Climate and Weather:
The climate of Nepal is as varied as its geography. The low-lying Terai has a sub-tropical monsoonal climate. The Himalayan foothills, where most of our treks take place, are best in the cool dry season from September to May. The traditional trekking season in Nepal is late September to December, with October and November generally recognized as having the best weather. Spring is also a popular time of year with warmer weather and the advantage of seeing spring flowers and rhododendrons in bloom. The visibility is good and days are pleasantly warm, although nights can be cold, and snow is possible above 3,000 meters.
Himalayan weather can be unpredictable where nights are generally cooler and days warmer. It’s a bit colder during the winter season (Jan to Feb) but days can be quite warm and lovely if the sun is shining. You can expect a bit of snow in the months of January/February and December. Expect the unexpected! The temperature could be as high as 20 deg C to -15 deg C low.
Safety and Security:
Security and safety are a high priority of our company however there are risks associated with adventure travel, that you should consider before booking .Our trip operators constantly monitor their areas of operation and will cancel or re-route a trip if they feel a destination is unsafe. The decision to travel to a particular country or region is a personnel one.
Responsible Travel
Breakfree Adventures is a leading trekking and travel agency with dedicated travel Professionals who are well trained to give you the best of what Nepal has to offer. Our professional team follows a social philosophy that accepts responsibility for the local people and the environment in which we work. We respect the natural environment and the culture of our country, and we help travellers from around the world discover the natural beauty and cultural treasures of Nepal. We know that responsible travel tries to minimize the impact of tourism on the environment and maximize employment and income-generating opportunities for local communities. The whole of Nepal, including those living in remote rural areas that have very few other opportunities for development, benefits from sustainable tourism.
Breakfree Adventures is passionate about preserving the environment. As responsible tour guides in Nepal, we strive to maintain a symbiotic relationship with the local communities through which we travel. While trekking to different destinations, we choose environmentally- friendly lodges that respect the needs of their staff members. We take care of our staff as well as our valued clients. During our treks and other trips, we follow a zero garbage policy (“pack in, pack out”) and leave nothing behind in the campsites. We always welcome your feedback and comments regarding responsible travel, so please send an e-mail to let us know what you think.
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