Jumla Rara Trekking

Jumla and Rara lie in the remote Karnali region, north-west of Kathmandu. The region is made-up of long ridges covered with temperate forests and alpine pastures enclosing high valleys. Summer rainfall is low, but winter snow can be heavy and persistent. Since the region is fairly high and free from monsoon thunder-storms, the summer season is ideal for trekking. Winters are cold, but the autumn seasons trekking is rewarded with a profusion of alpine flowers. Rara Lake one of the best destinations for trekking in western Nepal .This area is surrounded by Rara National park. It is the largest lake in Nepal surrounded by Rara National Park.

The route is well off the beaten track and affords glimpses of culture and scenery very different from other parts of Nepal. The trek offers a dramatic display of clear high altitude lakes mingled with pine, spruce and juniper forests as well as breath taking views of the snow capped Himalayan peaks. Rara Lake is as deep as 167 meters in some places, and drains into the river Mugu Karnali via Nijar Khola. The Rara National Park is the home of endangered red panda, common langur, and rhesus macaque and many more other flora and fauna.

• DAY 1

  ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU

  When you arrive in Kathmandu, you'll be taken to your hotel. While in Kathmandu you will have time fascinating Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions are highlighted on our guided tour. There's time to explore the city's many charms on your own too. In the evening delicious traditional Nepali well come dinner await for you. O/N in Kathmandu. (Welcome-Dinner)

• DAY 2

  KATHMANDU CITY TOUR

  After breakfast, we'll visit Swoyambhunath temple, and said to be 2000 years stupa on a hillock offers breath-taking view of Kathmandu City. We will then processed to Visit Pasupatinath and Bouddhanath. After lunch we'll visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan (Lalitpur) - which is the oldest of the three major cities in Kathmandu Valley - famous for its Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples, and you can catch the traditional artisans working with wood, stones and metals. O/N in Kathmandu. (B/L/D)

• DAY 3

  KATHMANDU / NEPALGUNJ

  After noon flight to Nepalgunj. O/N in Nepalgunj at Hotel Batika. (B/L/D)

• DAY 4

  NEPALGUNJ / JUMLA

  Fly to Jumla. Jumla town is in a delightful valley and here are the highest limits of paddy cultivation. The town is the administrative headquarters of the entire Karnali zone and Jumla district. O/N in Jumla at Tented Amp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 5

  JUMLA / DANPHELANGA

  From Jumla there are two tracks to Rara. Normally people trek through lower route. The trail follows the Tila river, passing through fields and pine forest. Arrive Uthugaon, the trail ascends up the Gursini Khola valley. Arrive Padmara passing through a deep forest of pine, spruce and firs. The climb continues in forest over the pass at 3400m and descends to Danfelanga. Overnight stop at the other side of Danfelanga. O/N in Danphelanga at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 6

  DANPHELANGA / CHAUTHA

  The trail descend passing through fir, birch, walnut and bamboo forest. After crossing a bridge we start to climb and arrive Bhara (classic Tibetan style village) and then descend to Chautha. O/N in Chautha at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 7

  CHAUTHA / DHOTU

  The trail climbs to Gurchilanga pass ascending through forest with a few local teahouses and treeless meadow half way to the pass. O/N in Dhotu at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 8

  DHOTU / RARA LAKE (3040 m.)

  It is a short, pleasant trek with fine views to the north. From Dhotu, take a trail turning West that traverses a steep north-facing slope. After crossing a stretch of fields, climb a small spur and descend to the stream. Cross the bridge and climb up to the hamlet of Jhari 2500m. It takes two hours to reach Jhari from Pina. From Jhari, ascend west along a ridge for about 700 meters to reach a low saddle in another two hours. The Large Rara lake is visible directly north of this saddle. From here, it is a pleasant descent to the meadows on the south side of the lake. The former village site of Rara (3040m.) on the north side is two hours walk along the western bank of the lake. Rara area was designated a National Park in 1975. There is much wild life, including aquatic birds and rich forest around this large lake at a height of 2980 meters. One may spend a day or two in the Rara area. A more interesting return trip may be a different route. O/N in Rara Lake at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 9

  RARA LAKE

  Explore around Rara Lake and relaxing day. O/N in Rara Lake at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 10

  RARA / GHORASAIN (3271 m.)

  After 15 minutes walk from Rara the trail ascends all the way to Gurchimara at 3710m. Then the trail descends to Gossain. O/N in Ghorasain at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 11

  GHORASAIN / SINJA (2438 m.)

  A more interesting trail with better scenic views is to climb Lumsa. Arrive on the top and descend to Sinja the Thakuri village. O/N in Sinja at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 12

  SINJA / JALJALA CHAUR (3350m.)

  Most of the trek is through forest of pine, birch and oak, as well as a few scattered houses and fields of barley and corn. Then the trail makes a steep climb to Jaljala chour. O/N in Jaljala Chaur at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 13

  CHERE CHAUR / JUMLA

  Keep climbing through forest to yet another meadow, just below the ridge at 3510m, then a pleasant descent to Jumla. O/N in Jumla at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 14

  JUMLA NEPALGUNJ / KATHAMDNU

  Fly to Kathmandu vai Nepalgunj. O/N in Kathmandu. (B/L/D)

• DAY 15

  DEPARTURE

  After breakfast, you're free before airport drop for your final departure. (B)