Location
Remote AreaDuration
12 DaysAltitude
2,990 mDifficulty
ModerateGroup Size
2 - 12 paxBest Season
Spring / Autumn
Rara Lake Trek is a remote trek in Nepal’s Jumla and Mugu district to Rara Lake, the country’s largest lake at 2,990m, passing through the historic Sinja Valley — birthplace of the Nepali language — at the intersection of the Great Himalaya Trail’s lower and upper routes.
The Sinja Valley itself is one of Jumla’s most secret and biodiverse valleys. It is also the place of origin of the Nepali Language, locally also known as Khas Bhasa. The Rara Lake Trek is a GHT; the lower and upper routes of the Great Himalaya Trail form an intersection. From here, trekkers can head along the old salt route to Humla, the royal highway to the plains.
One of the more unusual divers of the local economy is the medicinally valuable Yarchagumba fungus. The fungus grows out of a caterpillar’s head and can be worth a high price.
Highlights:
The Rara Lake Trek is remote in Nepal’s far-western Karnali region to Rara Lake — the country’s largest lake at 10.8 square kilometres, sitting at 2,990m inside Rara National Park. It’s also where the lower and upper routes of the Great Himalaya Trail converge, making it a key waypoint for trekkers exploring Nepal’s western Himalaya.
Rara Lake also called Mahendra Tal, is the largest lake in Nepal, covering 10.8 square kilometres and reaching a depth of 167 metres. It sits at 2,990 metres in the remote Mugu District of Karnali Province, entirely within Rara National Park.
One of the lake’s most distinctive features is how its colour shifts across the day, ranging from turquoise in the morning light to deep blue by afternoon, depending on cloud cover and angle of the sun. From the shore, the surrounding ridgeline of pine, spruce, and juniper reflects in the water, giving the lake a mirror-like quality that draws photographers and naturalists from around the world.
Fewer than 1,000 trekkers visit each year, making this one of the most genuinely crowd-free lake destinations in the Himalaya.
Rara Lake is often called the “Queen of Lakes” for its extraordinary colour and setting inside Rara National Park. Because the trek sits in Nepal’s far-western region, it draws a fraction of the visitors that more popular routes like Everest or Annapurna receive — making it ideal for trekkers seeking solitude alongside genuine scenery.
The Sinja Valley adds a layer of historical depth that few other trekking routes in Nepal can match. The 10-day loop through the Sinja Valley passes through the ancient capital of the Khasa Kingdom, the birthplace of the Nepali language. Ancient stone inscriptions and ruins remain visible in the valley, connecting trekkers to a civilisation that shaped the country’s language and early political identity.
Trekkers continuing beyond Rara Lake can pick up the old salt trading route toward Humla — a path historically used to move goods between Tibet and the Nepali plains — or link up with the remote-area trekking routes of far-western Nepal.
Rara National Park is one of Nepal’s richest wildlife sanctuaries. The park is home to over 214 species of birds and rare mammals, including the red panda in bamboo thickets around the lake, and the Himalayan Monal — Nepal’s national bird — identifiable by its iridescent plumage. Other wildlife regularly spotted in and around the park includes musk deer, Himalayan black bear, and leopard.
The lake itself hosts endemic fish species found nowhere else in Nepal, and the pine, spruce, and rhododendron forests surrounding the park change dramatically by season, with spring bloom and autumn colour offering two very different visual experiences on the same route.
Most trekkers reach Rara via a two-leg flight: Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, then onward to Talcha Airport — just a 2–3-hour walk from Rara Lake. Mountain flights are weather-dependent, so building buffer days into your itinerary is strongly recommended.
The alternative is trekking from Jumla, which takes approximately 3–4 days on foot through remote hill country and rhododendron forest — a richer cultural experience but requiring a longer itinerary overall. From Jumla, the trek to Rara takes approximately 3–4 days on foot, and most trekkers who choose this option opt for a 14-day itinerary to do the full circuit justice.
Arrival in Kathmandu, hotel transfer. Evening Welcome Dinner in Nepali restaurant with Culture Program. Hotel B/B plan.
Visit ancient Kathmandu Valley, Temples, Monasteries and heritage sites with Guide and evening fly to Nepalgunj. Hotel in Nepaljung D/B.
Morning fly to Jumla and trek to Khali about 5 hours – By small plane we fly to Jumla Khalanga within 35 minutes. Short looks around the Khalanga Bazaar than we begin the trek . Today we hike to Khali via along the Jugad Khola, Chhere Chaur. We cross small pass Danphe Langa Pass 3680m. After short downhill and uphill we get Khali Goan. We setup the camp in village. Evening village walk. B/L/D.
Trek to Bhulbhule 3190m, about 5 to 6 hours trek – This morning we begin our trek by downhill hike than climb to the Tharmanri village 3300m. After the village the trail goes up to Himdhuksi village. After 1 hour hike we reach Nauri Ghat. We stop for lunch than continue hike to Bhulbhule via Chautha and Bharbhare village. B/L/D.
Mission Rara Lake trek to Rara via Chhuchhemare pass. About 5 to 6 hours. 4090m – Today we walk highest point on our trek to Rara and reach to the lake. First few hours walk through the jungle and bustling to Chhuchemara Danda, a hill 4100m. it offer beautiful views of 360 degree. In north, snow-capped peaks offering wonderful backdrop to Rara Lake and lush vegetation of Rara National Park. Beautiful Green hills and slops on the middle Rara Lake. Arrive in Rara Lake you feel you are such a good gifted nature place. Enjoying evening with the rara lake view. B/L/D.
Rara Lake Exploration – Enjoying with Nature Beauty – Rara lake, probably Nepal’s most beautiful lake and jewels of West Nepal. Day exploration around rara lakes, walk around you can see number of herbal and medicine plants and kinds of flowers. Boating on Rara Lake if the weather is great. B/L/D.
Trek back to Bhulbhule 6 to 7 hours – Today we heading back to Bhulbhule after visiting the scenic rara lake while exiting out we take the alternative route. Cross Passing Thakuri Village Jyari and Dhuir . Crossing Ghurchi Langa Pass 3500m we can see the Tibetan Buddhist Culture. Then walk down to Bhulbhule village. B/L/D.
Trek to Gothichaur. About 6 hours trek. Today enter the fascinating valley in the west Nepal, the Sinja valley. We trek through the forestland villages, crossing rivers to the village of Bota. Officially enter the Sinja Valley. Walk in the Capital of Khasa kingdom, Sinja is the place where the Khasa Language Nepali was originated. A purposed world UNESCO heritage Site. Sinja also has the remains of ancient temples and places. After Sinja Valley today, we will trek up to Gothichaur. Is one of the popular village of Sinja Valley. Staying in Family Home or Camp. B/L/D.
Trek to Nagma 5 to 6 hours – Trek along the village trails of Sinja Valley is a great experience. The trail goes up and down and explore the ancient culture that still prospers here. Sing Valley is one of the highest altitude place in the world that grows high quality rice. After 6 hours trek into the Culture, Nature and historic significance we reach to Nagma. Nagma is located of southern part of Sinja Valley. Stay on Family Home or Camp. B/L/D.
The last day of Rara Hike – 5 to 6 hours – Today we cross the famous pass Jaljala 3600m and down to shhere Chaur, than continue few hours to Jumla. Stay at Guest house or Camp. Celebrate the Jumla Khalanga Night in there. B/L/D.
Morning Good bye Rara Trek and Jumla Khalanga, Fly to Nepaljung than short transit fly to Kathmandu. Evening farewell Dinner in Kathmandu. Hotel B/B plan. B/L/D.
Free and Final Departure to onward destination. B only.
Two viewpoints stand out on this trek for panoramic views of the lake and surrounding peaks:
The Rara Lake Trek is moderately demanding, with its main challenges coming from remoteness and flight reliability rather than extreme altitude.
Unlike restricted regions such as Upper Dolpo or Upper Mustang, Rara Lake is not classified as a restricted trekking area, so the permit requirements are comparatively simpler. Trekkers need a Rara National Park entry permit and a TIMS card (NPR 2,000 for foreign travelers, NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals), both arranged through a registered trekking agency. For full details and updated costs, see our Nepal Trekking Permits guide.
Spring (March–May): Clearer skies and stable trail conditions make this one of the best seasons for trekking.
Autumn (September–November): Generally offers excellent visibility, pleasant trekking conditions, and stable weather.
Early winter: Jumla’s relatively dry, rain-shadow climate can allow quieter trekking, but expect colder temperatures and fewer flights to Talcha.
Monsoon (June–August): Visibility is often lower, but the forests around the lake become especially lush and green.
What is the Sinja Valley known for?
The Sinja Valley is one of Jumla’s most secret and biodiverse valleys, and is also the place of origin of the Nepali language, locally known as Khas Bhasa.
Is the Rara Lake Trek part of the Great Himalaya Trail?
Yes, the Rara Lake Trek is where the lower and upper routes of the Great Himalaya Trail form an intersection, with trekkers able to continue along the old salt route to Humla.
What is Yarchagumba?
Yarchagumba is a medicinally valuable fungus that grows out of the head of a caterpillar and is one of the more unusual drivers of the local economy in the Rara Lake region.
How large is Rara Lake?
Rara Lake covers 10.8 square kilometres and sits at 2,990m inside Rara National Park in the Mugu District of Karnali Province the largest lake in Nepal.
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