Rara Lake Trekking Holiday - 16 Days
Rara Lake Trekking Highlights:
- Venture into the unspoiled Nepal wilderness.
- A natural paradise for walking holiday enthusiasts.
- Nepal's hidden gem: Rara is a real secret trek off-the-beaten-path.
- Explore the Mugu region in western Nepal.
- The area is blessed with diverse and unique flora and fauna.
- Experience a remote base-camping adventure.
- Witness the colors of "the Queen of the Lakes" changing hourly.
- Rara is the largest freshwater lake in Nepal.
- An excellent introduction to Nepal's lesser known sights.
Day 01. Welcome to Nepal
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our friendly representative will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign displaying your name. He will then drive you to your hotel.
Depending on your time of arrival, you are free to relax or explore the city.
Meals: Welcome Dinner.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel.
Day 02. Kathmandu sightseeing | Trek briefing
After breakfast, we will take you on a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with our private city guide - by private car or van. We will visit:
After the sightseeing tour, we will conduct a pre-departure briefing.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel.
Day 03. Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel.
Day 04. Flight from Nepalgunj to Jumla* (2370m) | Jumla to Uthugaon (2530m) | ≈ 4 hours
In the morning, we will embark on a scenic mountain flight to Jumla, located in north west Nepal.
We will begin our trek along the Tila Khola river first and then, along the Chaudhabise Khola river. We will hike through the Padmara valley and stop in Uthugaon for the night.
*The mountain weather in Nepal is always unpredictable and the flights from/to Jumla may be delayed or canceled due to the bad weather. We advise allowing 2 to 3 extra days should our flights from/to Jumla be cancelled or delayed due to bad weather.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Camping.
Day 05. Trek from Uthugaon to Danphe Lagna (3130m) | ≈ 4 hours
We will continue our hike to the small village of Padmara. We will cross the Khali Lagna Pass (3550m). Then, we will descend slowly through the pine, birch and rhododendron forest to Danphe Lagna. Danphe Lagna is renowned for the observation of the magnificent Himalayan monal (also known as "Danphe"), the national bird of Nepal.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Camping.
Day 06. Trek from Danphe Lagna to Chautha (2770m) | ≈ 5-6 hours
We will hike down to Tharamara. Then, we will descend steeply through the bamboo forest. We will cross a wooden bridge over the Sinja Khola and follow the river to the village of Nyawre. We will climb up to Bhara and continue our walk to Chautha, where we will set our camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Camping.
Day 07. Trek from Chautha to Dhotu (2380m) | ≈ 5-6 hours
We will hike up to Bhulbule, the entrance of Rara National Park. Then, we will continue our ascent up to the Ghurchi Lagna pass (3450m) and descend to Dothu, through the pine and birch forest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Camping.
Day 08. Trek from Dhotu to Rara Lake (2990m) | ≈ 4-5 hours
Short hiking day. We will climb up to the Thakuri village of Jhyari. Then, we will follow a steep path through the cedar forest to Rara Lake. Rara Lake is the largest lake of Nepal.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Camping.
Day 09. Rara Lake
Today, we will walk around the Rara Lake and explore the surroundings. If you wish, you can enjoy a boating tour by raft on the lake (optional).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Camping.
Day 10. Trek from Rara Lake to Gorosingha (3190m) | ≈ 5 hours
Instead of retracing the same route on our way back, we will take a different path and follow the Khatyar Khola river through the pine and rhododendron forest. Then, we will descend to Gorosingha through the Ghatta valley.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Camping.
Day 11. Trek from Gorosingha to Sinja (2440m) | ≈ 5 hours
We will continue our descent through the beautiful Ghatta valley, from Gorosingha to Sinja. Sinja is a very important historic place; it was the ancient capital of the Malla dynasty who ruled over West Nepal between the 12th and 14th century.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Camping.
Day 12. Trek from Sinja to Jaljala Chaur (3270m) | ≈ 6 hours
We will continue our trek and cross many bridges over the Sinja Khola river. Then, we will follow a steep path up to Jaljala Chaur. You will see many horses grazing on the green meadow in Jaljala Chaur.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Camping.
Day 13. Trek from Jaljala Chaur to Jumla (2370m) | ≈ 4 hours
Our last trekking day. We will descend from Jaljala Chaur to Jumla, starting and ending point of our trek.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Lodge.
Day 14. Flight from Jumla to Nepalgunj / Flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu
Scenic mountain flight from Jumla to Nepalgunj. Then, we will fly back to Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel.
Day 15. Leisure day & shopping in Kathmandu / Farewell Celebration dinner
Meals: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel.
Day 16. Departure
After a fun-filled trekking holiday, our journey ends. We hope you thoroughly enjoyed your trip. We will take you to the Tribhuvan International Airport. If you have time and would like to extend your stay in Nepal, we would be happy to offer our recommendations.
Meals: Breakfast.
Please note: This itinerary is intended to be a guideline; local conditions and weather may necessitate slight itinerary variations. The mountain weather in Nepal is always unpredictable. We strongly advise allowing 2 to 3 contingency days in case of unforeseen circumstances. We organize this trek as a "Small group trek" - limited to 8 travelers in order to limit the pressure on the habitats and wildlife.
- Rucksack or duffle bag.
- Daypack.
- Outdoor clothing: Outdoor clothing should be tough and comfortable. Wearing several thin layers is better than a few thick layers.
- Trekking boots & sport sandals. Lightweight socks & med-heavy wool socks.
- Water Bottle or Hydration Bladder with Water Purification Tablets. We recommend LifeStraw, an advanced water filter bottle.
- Trekking Pants & Shorts.
- Down jacket.
- 1 waterproof jacket.
- Gloves.
- Scarf.
- Sun hat and knit cap.
- Sunglasses.
- Trekking poles.
- Sleeping bag.
- Sunscreen.
- Flashlight.
- Wash kit & Travel towel.
- Medicine (in particular, diarrhea medication): Isotonic Powder/ Basic First Aid Kit/ Diamox/ Oximeter / Ibuprofen for general aches and pains/ Imodium or Pepto Bismol capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea.
- Copies of important documents (passport, vaccination certificates, travel insurance), air tickets & extra passport photos.
- Power adapters.
- Padlocks.
- Camera with extra cards and extra batteries.
- Little trash bags to carry your waste during your trek.
*THIS LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE.
What’s included
- Pre-departure support.
- Airport pick-up & drop-off (private vehicle).
- Experienced and government licensed English-speaking trekking guide.
- Porter service (2 members : 1 porter) + assistance of additional porters to carry all group equipment.
- All ground transportation.
- 4 Flight tickets: Kathmandu to Nepalgunj / Nepalgunj to Kathmandu / Nepalgunj to Jumla / Jumla to Nepalgunj.
- Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel on twin sharing basis in Kathmandu / Hotel on twin sharing basis in Nepalgunj / Lodge in Jumla / Camping (with all the necessary equipment including high quality tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, toilet tent, etc.) during the trek.
- Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan).
- All necessary trekking permits.
- Trekking map.
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu on day 2.
- Entrance fees.
- First aid kit/s including a pulse oximeter to monitor your oxygen during your trek.
- Little trash bags to carry your waste during your trek.
- Welcome dinner and farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
- All government taxes, VAT and service charges.
What’s NOT included
- International flights.
- Excess baggage fees (domestic flights).
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu (except welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu).
- Tips for porters, guides & others.
- Personal climbing boots, clothing & equipment.
- Personal expenditures, all bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
- Medical examination (if required) & vaccination costs.
- Visa fees.
- Travel and rescue insurance.
- Anything else not specified in the ‘what’s included’ section above.
Accommodation:
Kathmandu: 3-Star Hotel.
Nepalgunj: Hotel.
Jumla: Lodge.
During trek: Camping.
Meals:
Kathmandu: Breakfasts, Welcome Dinner & Farewell Dinner.
Nepalgunj: Breakfast.
During the trek: Breakfasts, Lunches & Dinners.
Health:
Good level of fitness.
Good walker in good health.
Experience:
You should be able to walk for 3 to 6 hours in a day.
You are required as a condition of booking to have an adequate travel insurance.
Please note: Before your arrival, we will send you a complete detailed brochure regarding Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and how to prevent it. Please read this brochure carefully.
Our local trekking guides are highly experienced in preventing, recognizing and treating altitude sickness. They will monitor your health closely during your trek. A proper acclimatization is not only essential but also a necessary life-saving measure.
