Rara Lake Trekking

http://www.treks2nepal.com/nepal/rara_lake_trekking.php

This rara lake trek through the remote wilderness of western Nepal to visit Rara Lake, Nepal's largest at 16 sq km, offers a superb experience of nature. Beginning the trek from the mountain airstrip at Jumla the trail passes through green countryside, providing glimpses of a culture and scenery quite different from that found elsewhere in Nepal, which eventually leads to Rara Lake National Park. This beautiful high altitude lake is surrounded by Himalayan meadows and forests of pine, juniper and spruce, whilst in the background you can view the magnificent snow-capped peaks of the high Himalayas. The entire route is 'off the beaten track'; it involves the crossing of Danphya Langa Pass at 3,720m on the way to Rara Lake and two ridges at about 3,500m when hiking back.

Though this trek never reaches any great altitude it does involve a lot of up and down walking. Nevertheless any reasonably fit person can do this camping trek anytime in April or May and September or October. It gets a bit cold from November to March and, though it doesn't get heavy rain it'snot especially recommended during the peak monsoon months of June to August. It's ideal for those looking for wilderness, nature and solitude.

This rara lake trek can be done staying in tea-houses, but this is not a touristy place and the accommodation facilities are basic, a camping trek is recommended.

Itinerary in Detail
Day 01 Kathmandu to Nepalgunj  
We fly this first section of the trip.
Day 02

Nepalgunj via Jumla to Charya Chaur (3,000m)
We fly to Jumla and trek to Charya Chaur, a beautiful meadow set amongst pine trees.

Day 03

Charya Chaur via Danphya Langa (3,720m) to Bumri (2,500m) 

The path becomes steeper as we ascend to the Danphya Langa Pass where we will get views of Patrasi Himal (6,860m) and Jagdula Himal (5,785m). We weave our way down through forests of spruce, birches, walnuts, bamboo and rhododendrons, periodically emerging into idyllic clearings and hanging valleys. We may even spot the Nepali national bird, the colourful Himalayan monal. We then head down to cross the Sinja Khola (river) and follow it downstream through potato and wheat fields before camping by the Lah Gad stream just below the village of Bumri and its adjacent marijuana fields.

Day 04

Bumri to Bulbhule (3,130m)  

We ascend past Bumri, go over a ridge into a side valley, drop to cross a stream and then climb to Bhara, a Tibetan style village amidst wheat fields. From here we climb to a perfect camping place near Bulbhule with a bubbling spring and shady pines.

Day 05

Bulbhule to Rara Lake (3,060m)  

We continue to gently ascend to an assortment of chortens, cairns and prayer flags at Ghurchi Lagna, a 3,450m pass. From here there are views of the Mugu Karnali Khola and distant snowy peaks on the Tibetan border. The trail now follows the trade route to Mugu through the Mandu Valley dropping precipitously through spruce forests to 2,900m. Here we take an inconspicuous left fork, then walk through the pine forests before descending to the Jhyari Khola at 2,400m and on to Dhotu. We then ascend to the Thakuri village of Jhyari set amongst a picturesque grove of cedars. We continue to climb through cedar forests until we reach a large meadow on a ridge (3,050m) with our first views of Rara Lake. We will now take about 2 hours to descend and walk round the lake to the campsite.

Day 06-

Rest Days at Rara

We have 2 days to explore this stunningly beautiful area. With no (domesticated) grazing animals allowed in the park the woods have reverted to their natural state and are alive with birds and rhesus and langur monkeys. We might also spot red panda, red bear, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, serow, goral and wild boar. At the lake we will see otters and the lake itself is an important site for migratory waterfowl. One day includes making an obligatory circumvention of the lake, a path (13km) has conveniently been built. Explore the now deserted villages of Rara and Chapra with their overgrown temples.

Day 08

Rara Lake to Gorosingha 3050M  

unfortunately we must leave this paradise and move on. We follow the Nisa Khola before ascending up a hill through pine, spruce and rhododendron forests. We then cross a meadow to reach a ridge at 3,660m and from here we can look back for a last view of Rara Lake. The track then skirts the head of the valley to the crest at Ghurchi Mara (3,720). There is now a choice of 2 routes, one short and steep, the other, which we will follow is longer but more engaging. We descend into the Ghatta Valley toward Gorosingha, where there are several camp sites in a lovely grassy valley. (5 hours).

Day 09

Gorosingha to Sinja (2,440m)  

We follow the Ghatta Khola downstream past Botan and then track the Sinja Khola through a more densely populated area to the historic village of Sinja. (5 hours).

Day 10

Sinja to Jaljala Chaur (3,270m)

We cross the Sinja Khola and trek up the Dhobi Khola across a series of log bridges and through forests of pines, birches and oaks interspersed with scattered houses and barley and corn fields. From Chala Chaur, a meadow at 2,900m, the path climbs steeply to Jaljala Chaur, a huge meadow full of grazing horses. (6 hours).

Day 11

Jaljala Chaur to Jumla (2,370)     

We continue to climb through another meadow just below the ridge at 3,510m. We contour round the head of the valley and eventually rejoin our journey in at Charya Chaur. We then proceed back down to Jumla. (4 hours).

Day 12

Jumla to Kathmandu  

We fly back via Nepalgunj to Kathmandu.

1550 EURO PER PERSON or 1750 USD OR 1200 GBP
Price includes: Airport Pick up/drop, all inclusive trek such as Ground transportation, necessary permits, entrance fees, professional guide, porter, and their expenses including their insurance and equipments, accommodation at lodges en route, all food (breakfast, lunch & dinner) with tea/coffee, flight tickets for the trek group, guide & few Nepali assistance.
Price excludes: Beverages, Tips, your insurance, personal/natural expenses, Food in Kathmandu & Pokhara.