Rara Lake Trek

The Rara Lake trek is a 10-day journey from Jumla to Nepal's largest lake in the far west of the country. It flies from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and on to Jumla, a hill town at about 2,350 m, then walks for five days through Patmara, Chautha, Pina and Murma to the lake at about 2,990 m, with a rest day on its shore, before a walk to Talcha airstrip and flights back via Nepalgunj. The route covers about 74 km with about 4,800 m of climbing and passes farm villages, terraced fields and pine and rhododendron forest, so it is a moderate trek with long days and no extreme altitude. You need the Rara National Park permit and and a guide is strongly advised. Roads reach Jumla and the lake, and this plan uses the footpaths and shortcuts between them. April, May and September to November are the best months, and flights are weather dependent, so keep spare days.

What the trek is like

From Jumla, the route climbs out of the valley on road and footpath, passing apple orchards and houses of the Karnali region, and crosses forested ridges that reach about 3,500 m. Between the villages it follows paths used by local people for generations, with some sections shared with the rural road. Operator itineraries describe the same approach as Jumla, the Danphe Lagna ridge (about 3,130 m), Chautha (about 2,770 m) and then Dhotu or Pina before the lake, with a first-night stage of about six hours; this plan stops at Patmara, a ridge village at about 3,000 m on that approach, and returns via Talcha instead of Sinja. The final climb to the lake goes through blue pine, spruce and rhododendron forest, and the first view of Rara, a deep blue lake in a basin of forested hills, is the highlight. The lake shore has a few lodges and a viewpoint at Murma, and the walk out to Talcha is gentle.

Highlights

• Rara Lake, about 5 km long and up to 167 m deep, a Ramsar site since 2007
• The viewpoint at Murma above the western shore, at about 3,000 m for the lodges and higher on the ridge
• Rara National Park, Nepal's smallest park, with Himalayan black bear, musk deer and the endemic Rara snow trout
• Jumla and the Khasa Malla history of the Sinja valley
• Quiet footpaths and ridge views of the western Himalaya

Permits and rules

You need the Rara National Park entry permit, issued at the park office or arranged by your agency, and a TIMS card where the local office asks for it. Rara is not a restricted area. The Nepal Tourism Board April 2023 rule requires foreign trekkers to use a licensed guide in national parks and conservation areas, and 2026 operator reports say checkpoints enforce it in Annapurna (ACAP), Langtang (the strictest) and most other parks, but not in Khumbu, where the municipality opted out (checked 19 October 2026). See the guide rule by region. Fees differ for foreigners, SAARC nationals and Nepalis, so ask the agency for current amounts and check them with the park or the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.

Best season

April and May bring rhododendron and clear mornings, and the lake is calm. September to November are the most popular months, with clear skies and autumn colour above the lake. The monsoon has rain and unreliable flights, and December to February can freeze the lake and close trails with snow. Plan one or two spare days at the end of the trek.

Altitude

Altitude is moderate: Jumla is at about 2,350 m, Patmara about 3,000 m and the lake about 2,990 m. Symptoms are uncommon, but flying straight to Jumla and walking to 3,000 m can cause mild headaches in some people. Go slowly the first day, drink water and use the rest day at the lake. Never ascend with symptoms, and descend if they worsen.

Getting there and away

Fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (about an hour) and Nepalgunj to Jumla (about 40 minutes). At the end, fly from Talcha airstrip, about 14 km from Murma by the path or a short jeep ride, to Nepalgunj, and from there to Kathmandu. Flights are weather dependent, and Nepalgunj can be extremely hot. The Karnali Highway links Jumla and Gamgadhi by a rough road, so a jeep is an alternative if flights stop.

Lodges, food and costs

Lodges and homestays are available in Jumla, around Pina and at the lake, but between them there are few options, so many agencies carry tents and a cook for Patmara and Chautha. Meals are dal bhat, noodles and eggs, and the lake lodges may offer local fish and apples. Bring cash for the whole trek.

Packing list

Broken-in boots, waterproof layers, a down jacket, a sleeping bag rated to about minus 10 C, gloves, hat, sunglasses, sun cream, trekking poles, a headlamp, water purification and a first-aid kit. In the monsoon add a rain cover and leech socks.

Who this trek suits and how to prepare

The trek suits fit walkers who want a quiet, lower-altitude trek in a remote region. The days are long, with 15 to 19 km on two of them, so prepare with hill walks and some days with a loaded pack. No technical skills are needed.

The plan at a glance

Days 1 and 2 fly to Nepalgunj and Jumla. Days 3 to 6 walk to Patmara, Chautha, Pina and the lake at Murma. Day 7 is a rest day at Rara. Day 8 walks to Talcha, day 9 flies to Nepalgunj and day 10 flies to Kathmandu.

Extensions

Add a day in Jumla to visit the bazaar, the Chandannath temple and the Sinja valley, or a day for the ridge walk above the lake. For a longer trek, combine Rara with a Phoksundo or Dolpo trek, using Nepalgunj as the hub.

Practical tips from the trail

• Walking times in the day plan are estimates from distance and climb, checked against operator itineraries; real times differ with pace, load and weather.
• Keep spare days for the Talcha and Jumla flights.
• Take rain gear even in autumn, because afternoon showers are common.
• Carry small notes, as villages have limited change.
• Do not swim, wash in or litter the lake.
• Check the route with your guide, since several variants exist between Jumla and the lake.

Responsible trekking

Take rubbish out, use refillable bottles and a filter, keep to the trails and buy from local families. Ask before photographing people, and do not feed wildlife.