Rara Lake Trekking...
The trail is yet "off the beaten path", as there are scenes and the glimpse of culture, lifestyles of people living in the region are really different from the rest of the country. Moreover the major attraction of the region is that there lies one of the biggest lakes in Nepal.
Alongside the trail to mountain, there are series of picturesque villages and a distinctive culture and traditions of the local people residing in the area, which provide visitors a unique experience and make them feel a wonderful holidays.
One more major attraction in the region is that there is a Rara National Park. It is considered to be the dream for any nature lovers, as it provides a look of many rare species of animals and birds including the gaur, serow, musk deer, yellow-throated martin and a wide variety of birds such as the impeyan pheasant, Kalij and dove ect are also in the park.
Day 01.
Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1345meters). You will be met by our representative and transfer to hotel and a short brief about the trekking after refreshment.
Day 02.
Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Monkey Temple, Pashupatinath Temple and Baudhanath Stupa.
Day 03.
Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj:
It takes about 40 minutes. This flight offers you enchanting aerial views of the jungles and Himalayan Range. Stay overnight at lodge.
Day 04.
Fly from Nepalgunj to Jumla (2370m.):
This day you can enjoy the views of Sisne Himal, Dudu Kundari Himal and other unnamed mountains.
Day 05.
Trek from Jumla to Patmara (2920m.):
It takes about six hours. The early part of the trails is through flat level and after some distance turns to a steep ascent up to Patmara. En route you pass pine forests, green hills and through picturesque villages. You find the local people exercising their distinct cultural and social practices. These villages are mostly inhabited by Chhetri and few other castes. Patmara is a relatively big village with chortens, prayer flags, Mani walls and temples dedicated to Hindu God and Goddess.
Day 06.
Trek from Patmara to Bhargaon (2690m.):
It takes approximately six hours. You trek through steep ascent 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 mainly inhabited by Chhetri. Now your trails go gently up crossing 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, prayer flags fluttering in the breeze.
Day 07.
Trek from Bhargaon to Pina (2380m.):
It takes about six hour. The trails you move through are gently ascent until you cross a suspension bridge. Again you trek through ascent path and reach check point of Rara National Park at Bhulbule (3130m.). Now you have to pay entrance fee in order to get inside the National Park. The trails up to Ghurchi La Pass (3460m.) are steep ascent. Then the trails turn steep 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 08.
Trek from Pina to Gumgarhi (2580m.):
It takes approximately six hours. This day you cross wooden bridge over Jhari Khola (stream) and follow mostly ascent path. At some place the trail goes downhill. On the way, you can observe musk deer, 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 people following Tibetan life style. Gumgarhi is yet another village mostly inhabited by Sherpa, Gurung and other castes.
Day 09.
Trek from Gumgarhi to Rara Lake (3060m.):
It takes about five hours. The route is mostly downhill and goes uphill for some distance. You come across villages and forests. This day you can enjoy the sight of magnificent lake which is Rara. Naturally built Rara Lake is the biggest lake of Nepal.
Day 10.
Rest at Rara Lake:
On this day trekkers can walk around the lake to see the wild animals, birds and beauty of nature.
Day 11.
Rest at Lo-Manthang to explore.
Day 12.
Trek from Rara Lake to Jhari (2500m.):
It takes about seven hours. To reach Jhari, you trek through steep descent path following forests, wooden bridge over 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 13.
Trek from Jhari to Bhargaon (2690m.):
It 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 falls down and up for a while and the route is now through quite descent path up to Bhargaon. It is also a village dominated mainly by Chhetri and few other castes. En route you pass through forests covered with pine, oak, rhododendron, juniper, green hills and several villages.
Day 14.
Trek from Bhargaon to Patmara (2920m.):
It takes about six hours. Leaving Bhargaon, you follow steep descent path all the way to Khari La Pass and then the route turns steep down up to Cherry (2009m.). Now the route moves through gently flat land all the way to Patmara.
Day 15.
Trek from Patmara to Jumla (2370m.):
It takes about five hours. This day you trek through steep descent path all the way to Jumla passing splendid views of green hill, forests, villages and ridges.
Day 16.
Fly from Jumla to Nepalgunj.
Day 17.
Fly from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu.
Day 18.
Transfer to international airport for your final flight departure.
The above itinerary is a guideline and standard pattern which we provide you. Rara Lake Trekking can be modified according to your time and requirements.
I Just arrived back to Kathmandu from a Three week Everest Region Trekking. It was certainly an experience I will never forget and I owe special thanks to members of the "Outfitter Nepal" team: NG, Arjun and Raj. It was little bit hard to believe at the beginning only in the internet as whether we are able to get the services which we had agreed through the mails before we arrive...
Rara lake trekking lies in the remote Karnali region, north-west of Kathmandu. The region is made-up of long ridges covered with forests and alpine pastures enclosed with high valleys.
