About Rara Lake Trek
Country
Nepal
Duration
17 Days
Difficulty
Moderate
Activity
Trekking
Max. altitude
2,490 m / 8,169 ft
Best season
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Accommodation
Tea house and lodge
Meals
Included
Start/End point
Kathmandu
Rara Lake Trek is a journey to one of Nepal's most stunning and picturesque lakes. Jumla and Rara are located northwest of Kathmandu in the Karnali region. Rara Lake Trek is a great way to get off the main path and see cultures and scenery that are extremely distinct from the rest of Nepal. The crystal-clear, high-altitude lake is surrounded by trees of pine, spruce, and juniper, and it reflects snowcapped Himalayan peaks.
Summer rainfall is minimal, making it perfect for trekking. The hill around the lake is frequently covered in winter snow, but the fall trekking rewards us with a profusion of alpine flowers. Since the government resettled the residents of Rara and Chapra when the region was proclaimed a national park, nobody has lived at the lake save the troops deployed to the park.
Rara Lake Trek is a fantastic choice if you are seeking wilderness seclusion and can face the region's logistical challenges.
Highlights of Rara Lake Trek
Trekking
140 km
Stay
11 nights in tea houses and lodges
Mountains visible
Api, Saipal, Nampa
Altitude gain
2,490–3,270 m (8,169–10,728 ft)
Destinations
Nepalgun, Ghumurti, Danphe Lagna, Chautha, Dhotu
Activities
Tea house stays, Sherpa and Himalayan village visits, Sunrise viewpoints, Prayer flags, stupas and monasteries
Seasonality for Rara Lake Trek
The best months to go are shown in green and the months to avoid in red. Weather in the mountains can change at any time of year, so ask us about your dates.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar (best)
- Apr (best)
- May (best)
- Jun (unfavourable)
- Jul (unfavourable)
- Aug (unfavourable)
- Sep (best)
- Oct (best)
- Nov (best)
- Dec
Best seasons: Mar–May, Sep–Nov (shown in green color)
Unfavourable seasons: Jun–Aug (shown in red color)
Altitude Profile of Rara Lake Trek
Detailed Itinerary of Rara Lake Trek
You will be welcomed our representative at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Kathmandu is the capital city that is also the starting point of the trek. You can pay a visit to many UNESCO world heritage sites that includes Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swoyambhunath Stupa, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
From Kathmandu, we take an hour long flight to Nepalgunj, located in the western part of Nepal. At an elevation of only 150m, Nepalgunj has a hot and humid climate.
The flight from Nepalgunj to Jumla takes off right after breakfast. After the 20 minutes of flight, we reach Jumla at an elevation of 2540 meters. From Jumla, we begin our trek to Ghumurti at an elevation of 2540 meters. We spend the night here.
From Ghumurti, we make our way through forests of Sisnamul and then reach the pastures of Chere. The trail gets steeper and we enjoy the views of Patrasi Himal and Jagdula Himal. We descend gently through forests of rhododendrons and finally reach Danphe Lagna.
This day comprises mostly of descents as we pass through birch, fir and bamboo forests, cross a bridge and then follow a river downstream. Then, we make a climb passing through water-driven mills along the way. Our steep climb continues and then levels as we reach Bhara village. Then, we descend to Chauro river and then to the village of Chautha.

After breakfast, we start the day’s trek following a stream uphill that leads to Bulbule(3130 m). We keep climbing to reach Ghurchi Lagna Pass (3450 m). From the pass, the trail descends through spruce forests to finally reach Dhotu village. We camp in the village.
We traverse a steep slope from Dhotu and cross several fields to reach a stream. We cross a bridge and climb to a village called Jhyari. Then, we climb steadily through cedar trees to reach a meadow atop a hill.
We follow the northern trail of the lake from here. After breakfast, we begin our exploration of the largest lake of Nepal which is about 13 km. We can go boating to see the various species of fishes and otters found in the lake. Chuchemara peak to the south and Ruma kand and Malika kand peaks to the north are other highlights of the day. We also visit the Rara village.
The trip from Rara Lake to Majhghatta is a short one. We take the route from the western part of the lake and follow Khytar Khola. We finally reach Majhghatta where we spend the night.
From Majhghatta, we take a trail that descends to the river and leads to a hill. We walk through pine, spruce, and rhododendrons to reach the top from where we can admire the views of Rara Lake and mountains. We reach the ridge of Ghuchi Mara and take the long route that follows the main trail and reaches Ghatta valley. After a while, we reach Gorusinghe at 3050 meters.

From Gorusinghe, we follow Sinja Khola throughout the day as we follow a varied trail with scenic views. We climb up to Lumsa and then take a short, easy walk down to the valley. We walk trails that lead us to the Brahmin and Chhetri village of Sinja. Sinja was the capital of Malla rulers in western Nepal and also boasts an old Malla Palace and a temple of Tripura Sundari. We spend the night here.
From Sinja, the trail crosses Sinja river over a wooden bridge and then continues on a long walk to Dhobi Khola. We pass through different villages and then cross the river several times over log bridges. We make our way through oaks, birch, pines, and fields of barley and corn. Then, the trail climbs up to Jaljala Chaur with a large meadow. We camp at an altitude of 3270 meters.
We make a final descent as we pass through villages to reach Ghumurti. We spend the night here before returning to Jumla the next day.
We trace our steps back to Jumla and spend the night there as the trekking comes to an end.
The flight from Jumla to Nepalgunj is a scenic one that lasts 45 minutes. From Nepalgunj, we take a connecting flight to Kathmandu.

We have an entire day to explore Kathmandu valley. We visit different cultural, historical, and religious spots. We can also shop for souvenirs Thamel and other tourist hubs.
One of our representatives will drop you off at the airport.
What's included and excluded
What's included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle
- Hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast
- Licensed trekking guide and porters
- Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
- Tea house and lodge accommodation on the trail
- Trekking permits and national park fees
- Domestic flights or transfers as listed in the itinerary
- First-aid kit and 24/7 support from our office
What's excluded
- Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Extra nights in the city because of early return or flight delays
- Hot showers, battery charging and Wi-Fi on the trail
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry and phone calls
- Tips for guides, drivers and staff
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Any costs caused by weather, strikes or other events beyond our control
Equipment and things you need
Clothing
- Down jacket (warm enough for below -10 °C)
- Waterproof shell jacket and trousers
- Base layers and a fleece
- Warm hat, sun hat, gloves and buff
Footwear
- Broken-in waterproof trekking boots
- Spare socks (wool or synthetic)
- Light shoes or sandals for the lodge
Gear
- Sleeping bag rated for the altitude
- Trekking poles
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Sunglasses with UV protection and sun cream
- Refillable water bottle and purification tablets
Health and papers
- Personal first-aid kit and your regular medication
- Travel and rescue insurance covering your maximum altitude
- Passport, spare photos and copies of your documents
Frequently asked questions
You should be comfortable walking for several hours a day on uneven ground, with some steep climbs. Regular cardio and hill walking in the weeks before you travel makes a big difference. Ask us if you are unsure about a route.
Most mountain routes need permits and park or area entry fees. We arrange the ones your route needs; the quote lists what is covered.
Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and sleep lower than the highest point you reached that day. The itinerary includes acclimatisation time where the route needs it. Tell your guide straight away about headache, nausea or dizziness. If symptoms get worse, the safe response is to descend.
See the equipment list on this page for the essentials. We can also advise on what to hire in Kathmandu.
Yes. We build itineraries around your interests, dates and budget. Tell us what you would like to change and we will send a revised plan with the price.
Yes. Your trip is led by licensed guides. Chinese, Hindi, Spanish and English-speaking guides are available on request, so tell us your language when you enquire.
A booking amount (30% of the total) secures your trip and the balance is settled before departure. The full terms are in our Booking and Cancellation Policy. Read the policy
Pick any start date when you request a booking. We confirm availability for those dates before taking a payment.
Customer reviews
Tripadvisor
5.054 reviews · 5.0 rating
Perfect
Creative Adventure Nepal provides excellent service and truly professional support in the tourism industry. Their team is friendly, knowledgeable, and well-organized, making every trip smooth, safe, and memorable. From planning to execution, everything is handled with care and passion. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an amazing travel experience in Nepal!
1 / 54
5.042 Google reviews
- Anil GuptaOct 03, 2024
Service is very good
- Krishna BhusalJul 07, 2024
Awesome experience with the group. Thank you Creative Adventure team.
- Shyamala Narayanan (Shammu)Jun 02, 2024
It was an excellent and memorable trip arranged by creative adventure. We were 15 family members planned for pilgrimage trip but later combined adventures too for the sake of our kids. From the arrival and till departure, Ramesh Ji ‘s support was excellent. He was able to reach even at night for some emergencies. Excellent vehicles were provided and especially kind and experienced drivers were arranged. Because of the change in climatic conditions , our flight got cancelled and we were supposed to do road travel. We afraid a lot but the drivers were really experienced and helped us a lot in all aspects. Food arranged in hotels were really good. ( Only concern was they could have separated veg n non veg in different places n not on the same counters). Especially chef in landmark Kathmandu was so kind n prepared food specially for us. Cultural village in Janakpur also provided homely n decent food. We had a great n enjoyable trip all over. Thanks Ramesh Ji for arranging everything. We definitely recommend Creative adventure to everyone.
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Team did a great job in ensuring an enjoyable and memorable holiday for us despite the Dashain season. They accommodated itinerary changes as per our request. Provided best guides and drivers for the entire trip. All in all, a goto travel agency for the Nepal tours!
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It was an unforgettable experience in our journey to Nepal through Creative Adventure Nepal Pvt. Ltd. To be honest, from my departure and till my arrival, I have given great support and guidance throughout my journey. Ramesh Sir, had taken much responsibility in fixing the resorts, hospitality, food and travel. Really happy from the bottom of the heart for selecting Creative Adventure Nepal Pvt. Ltd, they even follow up whether everything is happening as per plan…Once again, thanks for the excellent service offered from Creative Adventure Nepal Pvt. Ltd
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I recently embarked on an exhilarating 8-day trip to Nepal with Creative Adventure Nepal, and I must say it was an experience of a lifetime. From the moment I arrived in Kathmandu until the final goodbye, every aspect of the trip was meticulously planned and executed, exceeding all my expectations. Overall, my experience with Creative Adventure Nepal was nothing short of exceptional. They provided a seamless and unforgettable adventure, showcasing the natural wonders of Nepal while ensuring our safety and comfort at every step. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking an authentic and thrilling adventure in this magnificent country. My heartfelt thanks to the entire team at Creative Adventure Nepal for making my trip truly extraordinary. I look forward to returning to Nepal with them in the future for another incredible journey.
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- Asia Explore AdventureNov 13, 2017
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