Short Rara Lake Trek

Kabiraj

Updated on July 26, 2024

Short-Rara-Lake-Trek

Rara Lake is the gem of the far western Himalayan range of Nepal. This lake is famous for its isolation and jaw-dropping view. Unlike the famous Tilicho Lake in Nepal, the Rara Lake is situated at a low elevation of 2,990 meters only. It makes trekking here altitude sickness-free.

Trekkers can opt for a long trek via Dolpo trails or a short trek via Humla. Both options are adventurous and scenic. One thing to note about the Rara Lake trail is its tranquil beauty.

The trekking infrastructure may not be the best, but the landscapes and the peace you'll experience will make up for it. Pack ample snacks for the journey, and enjoy the serene surroundings. You can take a short trip to Rara Lake from Kathmandu, Pokhara, or Nepalgunj.

The route offers breathtaking countryside scenery and captivating snowbound mountains. The lake is mesmerizing turquoise blue, and when the sun's rays hit it, it sparkles like precious gemstones.

The lake is located inside the Rara National Park, which is home to some of the most iconic wildlife like red panda, Himalayan black bear, jackals, musk deer, many species of birds, and a wide variety of vegetation and herbal plants.

About Rara Lake and its Trekking Route:

Rara-Lake-View

The Rara Lake is also known as Mahendra Daha. It is the biggest lake in Nepal. The lake is 167 meters deep in some sections. Undisturbed by the crowd of trekkers, the lake and the trekking route remain pristine.

For a short trip to Rara Lake, you have to take two flights from Kathmandu. The first flight will take you to Nepalgunj, and the second will take you to Talcha Airport. Talcha is the nearest airport to Rara Lake.
From here, you can reach the lake in 2 to 3 hours of walking. The terrain is offbeat, with beautiful scenery of lush hills, surreal mountains, and rare animal and bird sightings.

Likewise, trekkers can explore some villages around the lake if they want to know about the lifestyle and culture in this region. From the lake, you will ascend to Murma Viewpoint (3,630 m) to see a heavenly view of the Rara lake and the mountains surrounding it.

Rara Lake Trek potential Short Itineraries:

Itinerary I (Rara Lake trek 7 days)

The Rara Lake trek 7 days cost starts at USD 1,250 per person.

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel
Day02: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150 m) [55 minute flight]
Day 03: Fly from Nepalgunj to Talcha Airport (2,735 m) and hike to Rara Lake (2,990 m) [40 to 45 minutes flight and 2 to 3 hours trek]
Day 04: Hike to Murma Viewpoint (3,630 m) [3 to 4 hours]
Day 05: Explore around the lake and trek back to Talcha [2 to 3 hours trek]
Day 06: Fly to Nepalgunj and take another flight to Kathmandu [first flight 40 to 45 minutes & second flight 55 minutes]
Day 07: Final departure

Itinerary II (Rara Lake trek 4 days)

The Rara Lake trek 4 days cost starts at USD 550 per person.

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj [515.7 km, 11 to 12 hours]
Day 02: Fly from Nepalgunj to Talcha Airport (2,735 m) and hike to Rara Lake (2,990 m) [40 to 45 minutes flight and 2 to 3 hours trek]
Day 03: Trek to Murma Viewpoint (3,630 m) to enjoy the stunning landscape and return to Rara Homestay [3 to 4 hours]
Day 04: Horse ride to Salleri, then flight to Nepalgunj and drive back to Kathmandu

Itinerary III (Rara Lake jeep tour 7 days)

This itinerary is ideal for travelers who cannot trek. You can also go on a jeep ride to Rara Lake, which is equally adventurous and scenic. The Rara Lake jeep tour cost starts at USD 850 per person.

Day 01: Drive From Kathmandu to Kohalpur [500 km, 12 hours]
Day 02: Kohalpur to Manma Of Kalikot District [250 km, 7/8 hours]
Day 03: Drive to Nagma Valley via Sinja Valley and walk to Rara Lake [62 km off road drive, 10 km trek, 7 hours]
Day 04: Explore the Rara Lake (2,990 m)
Day 05: Rara Lake to Manma (2,033 m)
Day 06: Drive from Manma to Kohalpur (175 m and 7 hours)
Day 07: Drive Back to Kathmandu [12 hours]

Why do the short Rara Lake trek?

Beautiful-Rara-Lake

The Short Rara Lake Trek offers a journey into the unspoiled part of the Himalayas in Nepal. You can complete the trek in just one week. There are not many untouched trekking options like Rara Lake, especially from Kathmandu.

You do take two domestic flights, but reaching the trailhead is stress-free. Unlike Nepal's other famous lake treks, you do not have to walk long hours either. Overall, the Rara Lake short trek presents an excellent, less physical and mental excursion into the Himalayas.

Additionally, trekkers get to enjoy the most stunning mountain panoramas of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Mt. Saipal, Chuchemara Danda, etc. You can see many mountains if you take the long route via Dolpo.

Tourists on a short vacation to Nepal should consider this trek. We, Trekking Guide Team Adventure, will organize the trek for you. Our team arranges all the logistics for our guests, including permits, transportation, a guide and porter, and accommodation meals.

Join us for the Short Rara Lake Trek and travel with a local mountain guide who enriches the journey with his knowledge of the region. Contact us at any time if you have questions regarding the Rara Lake trek in Nepal.

Short Rara Lake Trek Tips and General Information:

All non-Nepali trekkers must get the necessary permits for the Rara Lake trek. Many sites state that you need a restricted area permit for this trek, but this is false. Trekkers only have to get the Rara National Park trek permit and TIMS Card (maybe). The cost of these permits is USD 30 and USD 20, respectively. You also have to pay 13% VAT on top of the permit fees.
Previous trekking experience is not a prerequisite for the Rara Lake short trek. You don't need to be a seasoned trekker or exceptionally fit to undertake this journey. It's a trek that anyone with a love for nature and a desire for a wilderness adventure can enjoy.
Please keep your expectations low for accommodation and meals on the trek. Pack a power bank, snacks, Nepali currency, a sleeping bag (optional but highly recommended), spare batteries for your camera, a water purification tablet, a sunhat, SPF, moisturizer, lip balm, toilet paper, hand soap, etc.
Even though light trekking is required during the short Rara Lake trek, we recommend wearing sturdy trekking boots because of the offbeat terrain. You need good support to maintain balance while trekking. Please avoid wearing new trekking boots. You may get blisters.
During your trek, it's important to be cautious. If you're not familiar with a plant or flower, don't touch or eat it. Stick to the marked trail and always be aware of your surroundings.
Do not leave your waste behind. Pack all your waste and dispose of it in the right place.
The best time to do the short Rara Lake trek is during spring and autumn: March to May and late September to November. The weather stays stable in these months, so the flights will have no delays. The mountain views are clear and stunning. The trail will be in good condition as well. Spring showcases a very lush and beautiful scenery. Autumn has different hues of oranges, browns, and reds.
Travelers who can tolerate cold should do Rara Lake trekking in winter. The trail and the surrounding of the lake gets covered with snow. The landscapes are magical.

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