Rara Lake sits at 2,990m in Mugu district, deep in Nepal’s far west, and it is the largest lake in the country at nearly 11 square kilometres. It is also among the least visited places of real beauty in Nepal, purely because getting there is complicated.
For travellers who want somewhere genuinely off the circuit, Rara has few rivals.
Why Rara Is Different
- Nepal’s largest lake, ringed by pine, spruce and juniper forest
- Deep blue water that changes colour through the day
- Rara National Park, the smallest national park in Nepal
- Snow-capped peaks reflected on still mornings
- Very few visitors, even in peak season
The setting is more alpine than Himalayan, closer to a high-altitude lake in the Rockies than a typical Nepali trekking valley.
Getting There
Access is the main challenge, and it drives the cost.
- Fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, then a second flight to Jumla or Talcha
- Talcha airstrip is closest, about three hours’ walk from the lake
- From Jumla, the trek takes two to three days each way
- Overland routes exist but are extremely long and rough
Flights to Jumla and Talcha are small aircraft and are weather-dependent. Build spare days into your plan.
The Route from Jumla
- Jumla (2,540m) to Chere Chaur
- Chere Chaur to Chalachaur
- Chalachaur to Sinja valley, with its historic ruins
- On to Gorosingha and Rara Lake (2,990m)
- Two nights at the lake for the circuit walk
- Return to Talcha for the flight out
A full loop from Jumla and back takes eight to ten days of walking.
At the Lake
- Walk the full circuit of the lake, roughly four hours
- Climb Murma Top for the classic elevated view
- Watch for Himalayan black bear, red panda and musk deer in the park
- Excellent birdlife, including migratory waterfowl in winter
Murma Top is the photograph everyone comes for — the whole lake laid out below with peaks behind.
Permits
- Rara National Park entry permit
- TIMS card for independent trekkers
No restricted-area permit is required, which keeps costs lower than Mustang or Manaslu.
Costs
- Guided packages typically USD 1,200 to USD 2,000 per person
- Domestic flights are the largest single expense
- Teahouses and homestays are basic but improving
- Some itineraries include camping support
Best Time to Go
- September to November — the clearest and most settled period
- April to June — warm, with wildflowers around the lake
- December to February — heavy snow, and many lodges close
- Monsoon — flights are unreliable and trails are muddy
What to Expect
- Basic accommodation and simple food throughout
- Limited electricity and very patchy mobile signal
- Long travel days at either end of the trek
- Genuine remoteness, with limited evacuation options
- Very few other trekkers
Bring cash. There are no reliable banking facilities beyond Nepalgunj.
Ready for Nepal’s Far West?
Rara asks for time and flexibility, and it repays both with a landscape that almost nobody else in Nepal has seen.
At Global Rising Tours & Travel, we arrange Rara Lake treks including the complex internal flights. Browse our trekking packages or contact us to plan a departure.
