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A glimpse of authentic culture in the villages of Great Himalayan Trail, few days in stunningly beautiful and resourceful Rara Lake- Rara Lake Trek
If you are willing to travel back to ancient times, then two-week long Rara Lake trek with Access Nepal is what you are looking for. Truly, trekking to western Nepal lets you experience how the recent day’s popular trekking regions like Everest and Annapurna looked like a few decades ago. Most of the regions in western Nepal are still unspoiled and almost unaffected by modernity.
Access Nepal’s longer version of Rara Trek exactly unfolds the unique lifestyle and enchanting landscapes of western Nepal-from Jumla to Rara Lake, which is the part of the famous Great Himalayan Trail. Our Trek begins Jumla, a major trading town in the west. As the trek begins it winds through the peaceful vegetation of lower Dolpo occasionally emerging to the authentic settlements of ethnical tribes of the region. Warm hospitality, preserved architectural remains of ancient history and diverse landscapes are trek highlights during this part of the trek. Three days of trek finally leads to Rara Lake.
The biggest and deepest Lake in Nepal, Rara Lake instantly captivates every trekker. Situated at the elevation of 3000m, Rara Lake lies inside Rara National Park. We will have a couple of days to explore around Rara Lake. The lake shores are occupied by trees like pines, junipers, and spruces, and the myriads of species of wildflowers and herbal plants also adorn this fascinating lake. During the exploration of Rara, we hike to Chuchemara Danda, a hilltop for the fascinating views of Rara Lake, lush vegetation, and the snowcapped mountains.
From Rara we trek to Talcha from where we exit out to Nepalgunj and then fly back to Kathmandu.
One of the major highlights of the trek is the stunning Rara Lake, the largest lake in Nepal. The lake is surrounded by lush forests, alpine meadows, and snow-capped peaks. As you approach the lake, the sheer beauty of this pristine environment will leave you in awe. Take the time to explore the serene beauty of the lake and its surroundings. You can also witness a variety of flora and fauna in the Rara National Park, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts.
The Jumla to Rara Trek is best undertaken during two primary seasons: autumn and spring.
Autumn (September to November): This season is considered the prime trekking period. During autumn, you can expect stable weather with clear skies and comfortable temperatures. The air is crisp, and the landscape is adorned with vibrant colors as the trees change their foliage. The stable weather conditions make it ideal for trekking, and you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
Spring (March to May): Spring is another excellent time to embark on the Jumla to Rara Trek. This season is characterized by blooming rhododendron forests, adding bursts of color to the landscape. The weather is mild, and the days are longer, providing ample daylight for trekking. While there may be occasional showers, the overall experience is enjoyable, and the trails are less crowded compared to the autumn season.
Before starting the trek, ensure you have obtained the necessary permits and are aware of the local regulations. The primary permits required for this trek include the Rara National Park entry permit, the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card, and a special permit for trekking in this restricted area. These permits are essential for maintaining the conservation of the park and for your legal entry into the region. It’s important to carry your permits at all times during the trek, as park authorities may check them along the way.
The Jumla to Rara Trek provides a unique opportunity to interact with the indigenous communities that inhabit the region. These include Thakuri, Chhetris, and Tibetan communities. The people in these remote villages have their own distinct cultures and traditions, and it’s important to show respect and understanding of their way of life. Learning a few basic Nepali phrases can go a long way in fostering good relationships with the locals and enriching your cultural experience.
Jumla to Rara trek is relatively not a high-altitude trek. However, one always has to listen to his/her body and react accordingl.
Altitude sickness can be a serious concern in high-altitude areas. To mitigate the risk, it’s crucial to acclimatize properly by ascending gradually and taking rest days as needed. Drinking plenty of water and staying properly hydrated is also essential. Be prepared to recognize the symptoms of altitude sickness, such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, and shortness of breath, and take appropriate action if they occur.
Accommodation options along the Jumla to Rara Trek are basic, with teahouses and lodges being the primary choices for trekkers. The availability of these facilities may be limited in the remote areas, so it’s advisable to be flexible with your plans. If you prefer camping, consider carrying a tent and camping equipment, although keep in mind that camping facilities are also limited. Pre-booking accommodations can be challenging, so it’s essential to be prepared for varying conditions.
In the remote areas along the trek, the availability of food and water can be limited. It’s a good idea to carry non-perishable snacks, such as energy bars or nuts, to supplement your meals in case of long stretches between villages. Additionally, having a water purification method, such as water purification tablets or a filter, is important to ensure you have access to safe drinking water throughout the trek.
Foreigners cannot solo trek in Nepal, hence it is mandatory to hore a guide. Local guides can provide valuable insights into the area, share cultural knowledge, and assist with navigation. Porters can help carry your gear, making the trek more comfortable and allowing you to focus on enjoying the journey. Hiring local support also contributes to the local economy and provides employment opportunities to the residents of the region.
Practicing responsible trekking is of utmost importance. The remote and pristine environments along the Jumla to Rara Trek are delicate and vulnerable. It’s essential to follow Leave No Trace principles, which include carrying out all your trash and disposing of it properly when you reach villages or towns. Minimize your impact on the environment by avoiding unnecessary resource consumption and respecting the natural surroundings.
The Jumla to Rara region is remote and not easily accessible. Plan your transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the trek in advance. Arranging your transportation is our resposibility and assure you the passage to have a clear road itinerary for how you will reach Jumla and how you will depart from Rara. This may involve multiple modes of transportation, including domestic flights and road travel, depending on your starting point.
It is the best way to explore a country as naturally and culturally diverse as Nepal. Aside from immersing in the wonders of nature, you get to meet people who are known for their friendliness and hospitality. The adventurous walk cuts through rhododendron forests (even at lower altitude), streams and rivers, interesting villages, monasteries and monuments and also climbs over glaciers and high altitude viewpoints.
If you are physically fit and guided by a sense of adventure, you would love trekking! The mountains and hills of Nepal have trails that match all abilities. The remotest trails that are mostly unexplored to well-marked trails with ample facilities, Nepal has it all.
The prime challenges trekkers face in the trekking regions are language barrier and navigation. A major section of the trekking regions are uninhabited and in the remaining sections that are, the locals hardly understand English or other foreign languages. Weather conditions and other unanticipated challenges can make it difficult to plan the day’s trek, meals and shelter options. A wrong turn could push you off the trail into harm’s way.
A guide on the other hand, eases things for you, enriches your experience and ensures safety. Guidance that comes from experience and deep local knowledge lets you to enjoy and make the most out of your trip while you leave the arrangements and planning to your guide who becomes an important part of your team.
There is no specific age limit. Trekkers as young as 6 and as old as 75 have trekked in the Himalayas. However, trekkers under the age of 18 are required to be accompanied by a guardian. Younger trekkers should only be brought along if they can be appropriately cared for and can properly communicate any problems to their guardian.
Trekking in the Himalayas can be moderately challenging to difficult based on the terrain, number of trekking days, time of the year and current weather conditions. It also depends on previous trekking experience and skill of the trekker.
It is preferable, but not necessary. However, physical fitness and the ability to cope with strenuous conditions in high altitudes is necessary to make the experience a pleasant one. It is therefore recommended that you begin physical training, involving cardiovascular workout and stamina enhancement months ahead of the trek.
Although the destinations in lower altitude can be trekked throughout the year, Spring (February to May) and Autumn (October to December) are the best times to trek in high altitude. Nepal receives monsoon rain from June through September, which is not a great time to trek. However, the rain shadow areas of Upper Mustang, Dolpo and Nar-Phu offer a great escape during the season. Winter is very cold in the upper mountains with heavy snowfall which cause obstructions in the trekking routes.
A Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card is necessary for most trekking regions. An entrance permit is required for protected areas such as the Annapurna Conservation Area, Sagarmatha National Park and others. Upon confirmation of your booking, we acquire all necessary permits on your behalf.
Most of our treks range from one to four weeks.
The average trekking hours is around six hours. It can range from four to eight hours a day depending upon trail conditions, day of the itinerary, and weather conditions.
All treks with an exception of a camping trek include accommodation in a mountain lodge or guest house for overnight stays and meals.
Teahouse trekking is a popular trekking option wherein trekkers stay at cozy local tea houses in the mountainous regions on a full-board basis. This trekking style is preferred by most trekkers who do not want to carry the additional burden of tent, food supplies and other daily necessities.
Camping trek involves spending the night in designated outdoor campsites at the end of each trekking day. The team caters to all your meals and you sleep in tents. We have a team of professional cook and support staff in addition to guides and porters.
During the trek, we provide as much chlorinated water as you need. You may also refill your bottles at refreshment stops or at the hotel if you happen to carry chlorine tablets or other water purification options. You can also buy bottled water along the trail on most treks. A liter of bottled water ranges from USD 1 in shops and teahouses at lower elevation up to USD 4 in high altitude teahouses.
Most trekking trips involve eating at teahouses or lodges along the trail. These facilities have existed for quite some time at key places and have been serving trekkers and travelers with hygienic food and shelter. Most lodges source the ingredients from their own organic kitchen garden.
You can find common continental and oriental dishes on the menu while the staple dal-bhat-tarkari (lentil soup-rice-vegetable or meat curry) is the specialty almost everywhere. It is recommended that you stick to vegetarian dishes while on trek as the meat available is not refrigerated and therefore unsafe to consume. Although the menu gets limited as you ascend higher, it is common to find dal-bhat and noodles with soup almost anywhere. You may be surprised to find good bakeries in high altitude villages in the Everest and Annapurna region though.
The nationwide expansion of mobile network has made it possible to enjoy 4G and 3G network in most parts of the trek up to moderate altitude. A simcard for NCell and NTC, the leading mobile telecommunications providers can easily be availed. Uninterrupted connection however is greatly affected by weather conditions and terrain. More high altitude remote areas like the Everest base camp require satellite phones.
A good level of overall fitness, sound health and stamina is necessary to go on and enjoy the trek. If you have any chronic or acute health condition, we recommend that you consult your physician before signing up for the trip.
It is a known fact that oxygen levels at higher altitudes are significantly lower than the level that we are used to and the body needs to adjust to this change in atmosphere. The best way to aid acclimation is to climb slowly. We have prepared our itinerary to allow enough time for acclimation and not put too much of strain on the body. Adequate acclimation days, a combination of rest and a short hike have been arranged to further support the process. Minor symptoms of altitude sickness include severe, persistent headache, coughing, pressure in the chest, shortness of breath even while at rest, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite and others. It is vital you constantly monitor your health condition and report any signs of sickness to your team leader.
With gradual ascent of altitude, prolonged exposure to increased solar radiation can harm our skin and eyes. Fresh snow in high altitudes reflect hazardous levels of UV rays that can cause much damage, especially to the eyes. It is thus vital to adequately protect them. Use of hats, long-sleeved clothing, sunblock lotion with adequate SPF and goggles are strongly recommended.
If you fall sick or get injured despite precautions, our first-aid trained guides would be your first help. Depending upon the nature of sickness or injury, you would either be immediately taken to a lower altitude (in case of altitude sickness) or evacuated by a rescue helicopter for medical attention. We would require your insurance details to arrange for a rescue helicopter if you are injured in a remote area and in no condition to trek further.
Safety of all our guests is our utmost priority. Nepal has been well-known as a safe destination and the Nepalese as friendly and welcoming people. We generally trek in small groups in constant care and company of our experienced and expert guides. The places that we frequently utilize as our stops have been known to be reliable and safe over the years that we have been served. As such the safety of all travelers is ensured.
Your insurance is mandatory and should cover emergency air ambulance and/or helicopter rescue services and all related medical expenses for injury, death, loss of baggage, theft and trip cancellation. Please ensure that all activities and destinations in the itinerary are included in your policy, specifically mountaineering or alpinism. You are required to send in you insurance details while booking the trip. For more information, please refer to Useful trek info.
Please refer to our detailed packing list for guidance. It is important that you consider your trekking route and the season you would be trekking in to pack adequately and properly. You would neither want to be underprepared for the freezing high mountains nor burdened with extra clothing and gears you would hardly use. Broadly speaking, a good quality backpack, down jacket (rated up to -10ºC), a warm fleece jacket, moisture-wicking top, trekking pants and shorts, thermal underwear, a pair of comfortable boots, woolen socks with extras, woolen caps, hat, scarves, UV protection goggles, trekking poles, water bottle and a good quality sleeping bag are the essentials. If you happen to miss out any items, you can easily purchase or rent any gears or supplies in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
The maximum weight of baggage per person on a mountain flight is 15 kg including hand carry, so please make sure you do not carry any extra items that you would hardly use on trek. This is also to strictly ensure that our porters are not overburdened. Any additional baggage that you bring along would be subject to additional cost from the airlines company and for hiring of an extra porter.
A sturdy yet comfortable pair of walking boots with ankle support is recommended for trekking. Always pick a broken-in pair of boots over new ones to prevent blisters and other inconveniences while on trek. The soles must be thick enough to protect your feet from sharp rocks and have a good tread for grip. If possible, opt for water-resistant boots that help keep your feet dry. Use woolen socks to keep your feet warm and do not forget to pack in extra pairs. A pair of crampons makes walking on ice easy.
A porter carries 10 to 12 kg per person of your baggage depending upon the trekking route, altitude and weather conditions. We allocate one porter for every two trekkers. A camping porter carries more.
Tipping your guide and porter is not obligatory, but it has become a standard practice to tip your guide and porter in Nepal in appreciation of their care and service. Most of the guides and locals belong to communities in the trekking regions and even a small support can help them look after their families better. Although the tip amount depends upon your satisfaction and financial conditions, trekkers normally tip around 15% of the trip cost.
Our trip costs include all expenses during the trip. It covers your transportation to and from the trek start and end destinations, accommodations, meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), permit and fees. You may require some pocket money for your personal expenses. It can be used to cover bottled water, snacks, extra coffee and tea, souvenirs, voluntary tips and donations.
ExcellentBased on 318 reviewsDavid M2023-06-27Excellent all round Completed the three peaks pass with access Nepal. Hiked for 15 days straight. Found a couple of day’s challenging. The challenge made the adventure even more special. Found access Nepal to be a great company. Everything was organised and constant communication between their office and our designated go between. Our guide Subodh was fantastic. Provided plenty information on cultural landmarks along the walk and of Nepal itself. He encouraged us to go at our own pace and was flexible with the path to make some days easier and catch up on other days. We had 3 sherpas Netra, yubaraj and Dipesh. These guys are beasts and well deserve a generous tip. All in all the trip was fantastic and the price for the trip was on the low side compared to other tour companies and they are a local company that rely on word of mouth. Would book them in again when going back to Nepal. David (Australia)Fernanda M2023-06-07Guaranteed support and unique experience with Access I did the Three Passes Trekking with Access and I can assure you that it was the best experience of my life. Sadhana gave me all the support a few weeks before the trip, organized the itinerary, a guide gave me all the tips before the trip, clothes, health, itinerary, tips and everything else. In addition to everything, Lakpa was my guide, I don't know what would have become of me without him, he recognized the moments when I was very tired, he arranged all my organization for a peaceful stay in the lodges and he gave me a lot of support. Anyway, I recommend Access with my eyes closed, I want and will go back to Nepal in the near future and do other trekkings. It was my life's dream come true!Marita R2023-05-28Fantastic company that will give you the experience of a lifetime! This is our second time going with Access Nepal, this time for our honeymoon, and it was just as fantastic the second time around. It's an absolutely lovely company that will handle your trip as professionally as possible, from arriving at the airport to leaving again. They listen to your needs and wishes, and customize the trip accordingly. We are always incredibly well taken care of by one of the managers, Sadhana, who is a dear friend by now, who always does anything she can to make the trip the absolute best it can be. And we couldn't have asked for better company or a more trustworthy guide than our guide Giri. The company has very high standards as to how they treat and compensate their staff, and its really visible in the content and pride shown by all of their staff members. As for the treks they offer, we've done both the Everest three high passes and the Manaslu circuit now, and both have been absolutely mind-blowing. There really is no other place in the world like the Himalayas. Every single part; the Jeep ride into the areas, the high roads, the mountain sides, the mountains following your every step; everything is just absolutely amazing. It's too amazing to describe in words or pictures. I can't tell you anything but to GO!!! It's well, well, well worth the time and cost!!Alcenir2023-05-273 passes with Accsess Nepal I had one of the best experiences of my life with Accsess Nepal, in the mountains of Nepal. To go to the Everest Base Camp is a dream of many. However, I wanted a little bit more, so I chose the "Everest 3 High Passes - 19 days" trek. Incredible. The sights and people of this wonderful place will remain etched in my memory forever. The company provided all the administrative support for my arrival in Kathmandu, through Sadhana. She was always very prompt with my various questions and ensured a perfect organization for my comfort and safety. And, finally, Devman. He was our guide during the trek. A first-rate professional. Very concerned about the safety of the group. Knowledgeable about the mountain and the fantastic Nepalese culture. He ensured that everyone individually enjoyed the best possible experience on this spectacular trek. I really recomend this company and if you can, choose Devman as your guide. Enjoy the mountain!Izabele F2023-05-22It was worth waiting so many years I did the Everest Base Camping trek with this agency and it was much better than I expected. I made the trip alone and received all the support from Sadhana and had the most partner guide along with the porter. I felt safe and respected the entire time. We form a family and enjoy every day with great joy. This trip will stay forever in my memory and heart. Very grateful to the entire Access Nepal family, especially my guide Sobodh for all his care and teachings.Girish B2023-05-03Grand tour of Nepal Our whole trip to Nepal was excellent from the tailor made itinerary organized by Pratap to the internal transfers by car. The whole trip was professionally organized after several discussions until it was exactly as we wanted and the tour company did not fail us. Our guide Bimal was very protective and very knowledgeable and the driver Laxman was safe and very experienced. I would definitely recommend this company to friends and family as we got the exact trip that we wanted and expected. The hotels selected were fantastic throughout. If we were to do this trip again we would fly internally rather than drive as the roads were not that great. Thankyou Pratap for a memorable trip. Girish and Leena Bhome (UK)Vro v2023-05-02Perfect! They are very professional my trip to Langtang with "Access Nepal" was perfect, wonderful and great. I would repeat with them in ny futures trip to Nepal .Thanks for everthing Access Nepal! :)Arancha E2023-05-01Valle Langtang Creo que he conseguido realizar uno de mis grandes sueños pero no hubiera sido lo mismo sin esta gran familia de guías y sherpas , ellos han conseguido que me sintiera super segura y sobre todo han conseguido que el trekking que he realizado con otras 22 personas se volviera todo como en un cuento de hadas. Super profesionales y muy muy atentos en todo momento, facilitandonos el día a día. Muchísimas graciasBeatriz T2023-05-01Conectar con lo esencial Me encanto, fue una experiencia muy positiva todo , las calles , los templos un lugar muy seguro con muchas tradicionesArturo2023-04-24Thanks Acces Nepal for the amazinn Langtang Valley Trek!! Spectacular trekking through the Langtang Valley, with wonderful views and a great feeling of peace and nature. The guides (Nava and Vicas) are excellent, very professional, always attentive to any customer need. The porters are very nice and hard workers. And the people in charge of the company welcomed us and said goodbye very kindly, always with smiles and nice words. Namaste Acces Nepal!!
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