Rara Lake
About
Rara is Nepal's largest lake, high in the far north-west at almost 3,000 m, blue and still in a ring of pine and juniper forest under snowy ridges. The national park around it is quiet and remote; very few visitors come. We fly to Nepalgunj and on to the small airstrip at Talcha, walk to the lake, and spend our days walking around its shores, climbing to Murma Top for the view, and resting by the water.
A private tour
A few days that belong to you
Namaste, and welcome. Just your group, your own car and me. You wake in a quiet guest house, walk when the light is good, and rest when you want to. Nobody hurries you to the next stop on someone else's timetable. For these few days, the road is yours.
- Your own car and driver
- It stops for a view, a tea shop or a photo whenever you ask.
- Mornings without an alarm
- Sunrise if you want it, a slow breakfast if you do not.
- One person to ask
- The same guide all the way: for the history, the food, the road and anything that goes wrong.
- Quiet places to sleep
- Small guest houses, chosen for calm rather than size.
- The plan bends to you
- A place left out, a longer stay, a slower day: we decide together as we go.
With warmth, Rujan Neupane
Along the way
What this day is known for.
- Rara Lake, the largest lake in Nepal
- Pine, spruce and juniper forest around the shore
- The view from Murma Top over the lake and the Himalaya
- Musk deer, red panda and many birds in the park
- Very few other visitors
Day by day, night by night
Where we go, how long on the road, and where you sleep each night.| Day | The day | On the road | The night | Room + meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kathmandu to NepalgunjA flight west to Nepalgunj in the plains.
|
Flight about 1 hour | Nepalgunj | Paid at cost |
| Day 2 | Nepalgunj to Talcha, walk to RaraAn early flight to the airstrip at Talcha, then a walk through forest to the lake.
|
Flight about 45 minutes, then about 3 hours on foot | Rara Lake | Paid at cost |
| Day 3 | Around Rara LakeA walk around the lake through forest and meadows, at our own pace.
|
On foot, a full day | Rara Lake | Paid at cost |
| Day 4 | Murma TopA climb to Murma Top for the view over the lake and the mountains, then a quiet afternoon.
|
On foot | Rara Lake | Paid at cost |
| Day 5 | Rara to Talcha, fly to NepalgunjBack to the airstrip and the flight down.
|
About 3 hours on foot, then the flight | Nepalgunj | Paid at cost |
| Day 6 | Nepalgunj to KathmanduThe flight back.
|
Flight about 1 hour | — |
Is this tour for you?
Walking, steps, heat and access, honestly.Not sure? Tell me who is coming, and I'll tell you honestly. Write to me
The honest downsides
What I'd want to know before booking.- Flights to Talcha are small, few and often cancelled by weather; keep spare days.
- Places to stay at the lake are few and simple.
- At almost 3,000 m nights are cold, and some people feel the height.
- In winter there is snow, and in the monsoon flights are unreliable.
More about this tour
Best time to go
Spring and autumn; flights decide the season.- GoodJAN
- GoodFEB
- GoodMAR
- BestAPR
- BestMAY
- RainJUN
- RainJUL
- RainAUG
- GoodSEP
- BestOCT
- BestNOV
- GoodDEC
April and May bring flowers and warm days; October and November bring clear skies and autumn colours. Winters are snowy.
Time of day
Before you go
The small practical things.Visiting with respect
These are living places of worship, not museums.- Keep quiet in the forest and follow the park guide's word near animals.
- Never feed or follow animals for a photograph.
- Carry your rubbish out of the park.
- Ask before photographing people in the villages.
Staying away: 5 nights
You pay me only my guide fee. Rooms and meals are paid at what they actually cost, with nothing added by me.Where your money goes
Every amount, and who receives it. I charge only my guide fee; the rest is paid at cost.| What | Who receives it | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guide (me) | Rujan Neupane | My city day rate × days, and the overnight allowance | One rate for 1 to 5 people |
| Car and driver | A local driver | What the driver charges | Paid at cost |
| Hotels and meals | The hotels and restaurants | What they charge | You pay directly; I never add anything |
| Entrance fees | The sites and parks | See my Entrance fees page | Paid at the gate, at cost |
| Park entry permit | The national park | See my Entrance fees page | Official price, paid at cost |
| Flights Kathmandu–Nepalgunj–Talcha and back | The airlines | The airlines' fares | You pay the airlines, at cost |
I don't sell packages. I guide, and I help you arrange the rest (rooms, transport, permits) at what it actually costs. If you would like it all put together as one package, ask me: I make one only on your request, and we confirm it by email.
Photo notes
From a guide who is also a photographer.The places in detail
The history and stories behind what you will see.Rara Lake
Rara Lake lies at about 2,990 m in Mugu district, in the Karnali region of north-western Nepal. It is about 10.8 km² in area and up to 167 m deep, the largest lake in Nepal. The national park around it, set up in 1976, is the smallest in the Himalaya of Nepal and was listed as a Ramsar wetland in 2007.
Getting there
Most visitors fly from Nepalgunj to Talcha airstrip and walk to the lake. The flights depend on clear weather, so the plan keeps spare days. There is also a long road through Jumla.
Fees
The park entry fee is on my Entrance fees page.
My promises
Written down, so you can hold me to them.- No pressureAsk me anything. Asking costs nothing and commits you to nothing, and I will never rush your decision.
- Nothing hiddenEvery cost is written down before you pay anything, and nothing is added later without your agreement.
- Your day, your paceWe stay longer where you want to, and skip what doesn't interest you.
- Reviews as writtenEvery review here is published as the guest wrote it. I don't edit reviews or remove critical ones.
Before you go
What I would read first, from my own guides and tours.Guides to read first
Frequently asked questions
How do we get to Rara Lake?
By air: Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, then a small plane to Talcha and a walk of about 3 hours. By road it takes several days.
How high is Rara Lake?
About 2,990 m.
Do I need to be fit?
You walk 3 to 6 hours a day on easy trails, at almost 3,000 m.
Why spare days?
Flights to Talcha are often cancelled by weather.
When is the best time?
April and May, and October and November.
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- +977 984-3808583
- Phone
- +977 984-3808583
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More than 5 of you? Write to me. I guide up to 5 people at one rate. For a bigger group we can talk it through by email. I reply myself, usually within a day. On the trail there is often no network, so it can take a few days.
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