Rara Lake Trek- 16 Days

Our airport team welcomes you at Tribhuvan International Airport on your arrival day. You will have a hassle-free transfer to hotel from airport. The remaining day is free for rest and enjoy your bustling surroundings.

After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the time for your half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu and the various places of interest. Depending on the time of your flight arrival the night previous, we will schedule your half day tour in the morning or afternoon. For late night flight arrivals, we prefer to do an afternoon tour in order for you to get properly acclimated to the time change. Overnight at your hotel

As per the flight schedule for Nepalgunj, we transfer to the domestic airport for one scenic flight to Nepalgunj. We will arrive into Nepalgunj with time in the late afternoon or evening to have a look around the town which is situated on the southern Nepal border with India. Here it is quite hot and tropical. Overnight at your hotel.

After a pleasant stay overnight at Nepalgunj, we will have an early morning transfer to the airport for half hour flight to Jumla over the Himalayan foothills, with views of the distant snow capped peaks. On arrival into Jumla, our trekking staffs will receive you, who have walked all the way from Nepalgunj with the camping gear and food supply taking 5-6 days. Jumla is the largest upland town in the Karnali District, and Nepal’s most sparsely-populated administrative zone with no roads communication and is only accessible on foot or by air.

There is time to explore Jumla to see the bazaar and temple dedicated to Chandan Nath, a mythical saint who defeated a serpent’s demon, and emptied the lake which flooded the valley. A half an hour’s walk from Jumla towards the college is the small village called Micha where, in a small walled enclosure, stands a number of stone stupas telling of the Buddhist history. The stupas were erected in memory of important dignitaries of the region and date back from the late 15th century. From here we take a short walk climbing away from the Jumla Valley to the campsite at Charya Chaur high above the Karnali Technical College.

Day starts with a morning climb through birch and pine forests to the unnamed grassy pass sometimes known as Jaljala. As the walk progresses, views of Kanjiroba Himal can be seen to the East, with its twin peaks that towers over the adjacent area. At afternoon, descent of about 870m through beautiful forests and find a suitable spot for overnight camping on the pastures with a nearby Shepard’s hut after a relatively moderate day on the trail. 

A morning walk completes the descent to Sinja .We will follow the Jaljala Khola downstream through forests with immense gnarled pines and through terraced farmland. Just before the final descent to Sinja the trail passes the 300 year old Kanaksundari Temple where ancient stone lions guard the inner sanctum. Sinja was once the ancient and thriving winter capital of the Malla kings and a few Malla stones dating from the medieval Khasa kingdom can still be seen alongside the trail on its steep, low knob. The trail passes south of the peaked, white temple and descends to the main river, crossing a thick plant bridge at a place where the water has cut a deep, narrow furrow through bedrock. Sinja village rests upon a small alluvial plain on the west bank of the clear Lah Gad River, although here it is called Sinja River.

The ruined town actually stood on the east bank of the Sinja Khola, at a place known as Kotgaon or Lamathada, where you can poke among ancient sculptured stones overgrown with weeds. Just north of Sinja stone-bound aeries -once used by meditating enunciates- are visible along the rock walls. We can have lunch here or else just take a short break near the bridge over the Khola. We will then continue to follow the river upstream, passing by the small village of Ganj through a spectacular gorge  at the village of Botan.

Today, there will be a short walk to the entrance of the Rara Lake National Park for your overnight camp. The trek continues after leaving the Sinja Khola from Botan to follow the Ghatte Khola north and then walking towards north-eastwards up a beautiful valley through farmland and past primitive flour mills to enter the Rara National Park at the Ghorasain police post. We will have enough time for short walk around or catch up on some laundry or simply enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

Leaving the Ghorasain campsite, our route leads to a climb all the way to the Chuchemara Danda ridge, which is at about 4,260m elevation. This part takes nearly 2 hours, the climb is not too hard, and upon reaching the crest of the ridge, an excellent panorama can be seen against the northern horizon. Descending the trail northwards, Rara Lake will soon be seen to the north-east and the trail passes through bamboo and birch forests before crossing the Khatyar Khola which is followed upstream to our overnight near the Shore of Rara Lake.

A rest day to explore and climb up to the wooden observation tower for fine views of the lake and surrounding hills. The National Park Headquarters can be visited and a leaflet about the National Park can be obtained there. Swimming is allowed in the lake and is shrilly refreshing.

A short day on the trail, leaving behind Rara Lake across a ridge to the village of Jhyari. Following the Jhyari Bira Khola downstream for only short way, the route then crosses into the Dhaulagiri Khola valley to the overnight campsite beside the river. Farming is very evident in these valleys with terraced fields on all but the steepest slopes and snow capped peaks will be seen to the north east. 

From the campsite on the Dhaulagiri Khola, the walk leads through farmland to the village of Pina where there is a police post and a small local hotel before climbing to the Ghurchi pass. The long climb from Pina is mostly through forests with fine views to the north which are best enjoyed during rest stops. The pass is marked by several chortens and the trail then descends across alpine pastures, through walnut groves and to a steep narrow valley all the way to the village of Chauta for the overnight stop, where there are shops and local hotels.

The journey from Chauta follows the northern bank of the Sinja Khola through Bumra and past the small hotel and health clinic under the massive overhanging rock at Kamra, source of the important medicinal mineral, Silaji. Descending to the Sinja Khola the route passes the village of Nyawre, which is supplied by hydroelectricity, to the next bridge upstream before climbing for some 600meters to the pasture at Tharamara.

The last day of trekking begins slowly and gradually, dropping down a gorgeous valley from high alpine pastures, through splendid forests and eventually into a fertile well farmed valley. There are many charming little villages such as Padmara, and the track is not too steep. It follows the same river all the way down to Jumla. This makes a nice circuit and avoids having a repeat part of the outward trek. On reaching Jumla rest of the afternoon can be spent exploring the busy market town.

Early in the morning we wake up with a divine sound of temple bell and visit the famous pilgrimage center to Muktinath Temple area, and after breakfast easy trek down to Kagbeni. The trail descends very quickly to the valley floor. The descent is through a dramatic, arid landscape all the way to Kagbeni. To reach Kagbeni one must travel on either side of the Kaligandaki River. The left fork continues up the river to Kagbeni. Late afternoon visit two hundred years old monastery and visit the small alleys in a village and overnight at Hotel.

Early in the morning, you will take a half hour flight to Nepalgunj over the Himalayan foothills, overlooking stunning views of the snow capped peaks. Depending on the connecting flight schedule to Kathmandu, we will have the opportunity to have refreshments and take advantage of amenities at the Hotel Batika in Nepalgunj. Then transfer to airport for the connecting flight back to Kathmandu. In the evening, we go for a complimentary dinner to one of the finest local restaurants in town for a delicious Nepali meal; & while enjoying your meal, you will be entertained to a thrilling cultural dance performed by the local belles. This is a complimentary outing on behalf of Higher Limits Trek & Expedition for the good welfare of our guests. Overnight hotel

As we have successfully completed the trip, it is time to return home or embark on your next journey. Even you can join our next adventures trips in the Himalayas if you wish too. If not, our airport team will take care of your airport escort and say you our last goodbye till the next adventure holidays.