Highlight
16 days Jumla & Ra Ra Lake
15 Nights, 16 days
About This Trip
From Jumla, the trek heads north passing through beautiful country side, farm villages and valleys with excellent views of snow capped peaks of Dolpo and the Tibetan mountain ranges. You will feel as if you have entered a totally different world, as you enter the Ra Ra National Park and its beautiful surroundings including the pristine lake RaRa.
Its scenery and unbelievable quietness is fascinating amidst its charming forest and landscapes. We will camp here for two nights in order to explore around the largest lake in Nepal.
A journey into the Jumla region and the lake, Rara is probably one of the most incredible and fascinating treks in all the Himalayan range with its unique tranquility, blending well in perfect harmony with the surrounding mountains and beautiful landscapes.
Our adventure starts from the hill town of Jumla in the remote north-west of Nepal.
After an enjoyable stay here, we return to Jumla by an alternative route in order to give you the best of this magnificent country, we conclude our wonderful and memorable journey at Jumla with a flight back to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj.
Rara National Park
LOCATION:
Rara National Park is located in north-west Nepal about 371 km air distance from Kathmandu. Most of the park, including Lake Rara, lies in Mugu District: a small area is within Jumla District of Karnali Zone. This is the smallest park in Nepal, containing the country’s biggest lake (10.8 sq kms) at an elevation of 2,990m.
FEATURES:
Park elevations range from 1,800m to 4,048 m. The park contains mainly coniferous forest. The area around the lake is dominated by blue pine, black juniper, West Himalayan spruce, oak, Himalayan cypress and other associated species.
At about 3,350 m, pine and spruce give away to fir, oak and birch. Deciduous tree species like Indian horse-chestnut, walnut and Himalayan popular are also found.
A small portion of the park serves as an ideal habitat for musk deer. Other animals found in the park include Himalayan black bear, leopard, goral, Himalayan Thar and wild boar. Snow trout is the only fish species recorded in the lake. Resident Gallinaceous birds and migrant waterfowl are also quite commonly sighted in this area.
The great – crested grebe, black-necked grebe, and red-crested pochard are seen during winter. Other common birds are the snow cock, chukor partridge, Impeyan pheasant, kalij pheasant and blood pheasant.
“Nepal: Back on Top of the World”
- Best Season: All year round (except from June till mid September).
- Accommodation: Camping or on basic Teahouse /Lodge.
- Trek Grade: Moderate - Adventurous
- Highest Altitude gain: Ghurchi Lagna Pass 3,460m.
Trip dossier:
Arrive Kathmandu.1,300m via respective airlines.
On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by our staff and will escort you to the Hotel, where our guide will give you a brief orientation of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trek/Camping, do’s and don’t and other related information that you might require while in Nepal.
In Kathmandu.
After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the time for your half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest.
Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj & transfer to Hotel.
As per the flight schedule for Nepalgunj we transfer to the domestic airport for one and half hour scenic flight to Nepaljung. At Nepalgunj will have time in the late afternoon or evening to have a look around the town which is situated on the southern Nepal border with India. Here it is quite hot and tropical in character.
Fly from Nepalgunj to Jumla 2,370m. and begin trek to Charya Chaur 2,800m. Overnight Camping.
After a pleasant overnight at Nepalgunj, early morning transfer to airport for half hour flight to Jumla over the Himalayan foothills, with views of the distant snow capped peaks. On arrival at Jumla our trekking staffs will receive you, who have walked all the way from Nepalgunj with the camping gear and food supply taking 5-6 days. Jumla is the largest upland town in the Karnali District, Nepal’s most sparsely-populated adminstrative zone with no roads communication and is only accessible on foot or by air. We will have time to explore Jumla to see the bazaar and temple dedicated to Chandan Nath, a mythical saint who defeated serpents demon and emptied the lake which flooded the valley. Some half an hour’s walk from Jumla towards the college is the small village of Micha where, in a small walled enclosure, stand a number of stone stupas telling of the Buddhist history. The stupas were erected in memory of important dignitaries of the region and date back from the late 15th century. From here we take a short walk climbing away from the Jumla Valley to the campsite at Charya Chaur high above the Karnali Technical College.
From Charya-Chaur to camp beneath the unnamed grassy pass 3,500m.6 hrs walk.
Our day start with a morning climb through birch and pine forests to the unnamed grassy pass sometime known as Jaljala. As the walk progress view of Kanjiroba himal can be seen to the east, with its twin peaks that towers over the adjacent area. At afternoon we descent of about 870m through beautiful forests and find a suitable spot for overnight camping on the pastures with a nearby Shepard’s hut after a relatively moderate day on the trail.
Trek to Botan. 2, 680m via Sinja Khola. 2,440m. 6-7 hrs.
Our morning walk completes the descent to Sinja by following the Jaljala Khola downstream through forests with immense gnarled pines and through terraced farmland. Just before the final descent to Sinja the trail passes the 300 year old Kanaksundari Temple where ancient stone lions guard the inner sanctum. Sinja was once the ancient and thriving winter capital of the Malla kings and a few Malla stones dating from the medieval Khasa kingdom can still be seen alongside the trail on its steep, low knob. The trail passes south of the peaked, white temple and descends to the main river, crossing a thick plant bridge at a place where the water has cut a deep, narrow furrow through bedrock. Sinja village rests upon a small alluvial plain on the west bank of the clear Lah Gad River, here called the Sinja River. The ruined town actually stood on the east bank of the Sinja Khola, at a place known as Kotgaon or Lamathada, where you can poke among ancient sculptured stones overgrown with weeds. Just north of Sinja stone-bound aeries once used by meditating re-annunciates are visible along the rock walls. Maybe we will have lunch stop or a short break near the bridge over the Khola and then following the river upstream passing by the small village of Ganj through a spectacular gorge to the campsite at the village of Botan.
Trek to Rara Border.3,190m. 3-4 hrs.
Today will be a short walk to the entrance of the Rara Lake National Park where we camp. Our route leaves the Sinja Khola from Botan to follow the Ghatte Khola north and then walking towards north-eastwards up a beautiful miniture valley through farmland and past primitive flour mills to enter the Rara National Park at the Ghorasain police post, with enough time for short walk around or catch up on some laundry or simply enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
Trek to Rara Lake. 2,980m. 6-7 hrs.
Leaving the Ghorasain campsite our route leads to a climb all the way to the Chuchemara Danda ridge at about 4,260m which will take us nearly 2 hours, the climb is not too hard and on reaching the crest of the ridge an excellent panorama can be seen against the northern horizon. Descending the trail northwards, Rara Lake will soon be seen to the north-east and the trail passes through bamboo and birch forests before crossing the Khatyar Khola which is followed upstream to our overnight camp near the shore of Rara Lake.
Rest day at Rara Lake.
A rest day to explore and climb up to the wooden observation tower for fine views of the lake and surrounding hills. The National Park Headquarters can be visited and a leaflet about the National Park can be obtained there. Swimming is allowed in the lake and is refreshing.
Trek to River Camp or Pina via Jhyari 2,580m.
Another short day on the trail to leave Rara Lake behind and cross a ridge to the village of Jhyari, following the Jhyari Bira Khola downstream for only short way, the route then crosses into the Dhauligar Khola valley to our overnight campsite beside the river. Farming is very evident in these valleys with terraced fields on all but the steepest slopes and snow capped peaks will be seen to the north east. We can (time permitting and willingness of the group and the porters) also trek on to a delightful campsite at Pina if we want to make the next day shorter.
Trek to Chauta 2,770m via Ghurchi Lagna Pass 3,460m. 5-6 hrs.
From the campsite on the Dhauligar Khola, our walk leads through farmland to the village of Pina where there is a police post and a small local hotel before climbing to the Ghurchi pass. The long climb from Pina is mostly through forests with fine views to the north which are best enjoyed during rest stops. The pass is marked by several chortens and the trail then descends across alpine pastures, through walnut groves and to a steep narrow valley all the way to the village of Chauta for our overnight stop, where there are shops and local hotels.
Trek to Tharamara. 3,270m. 5-6 hrs.
Our journey from Chauta follows the northern bank of the Sinja khola through Bumra and past the small hotel and health clinic under the massive overhanging rock at Kamra, source of the important medicinal mineral, Silaji. Descending to the Sinja Khola the route passes the village of Nyawre, supplied by hydroelectricity, to the next bridge upstream before climbing for some 600meters to the pasture at Tharamara, we will be camping here or an hour further above Tharamara.
Trek to Jumla 5-6 hrs.
Our last day of trekking begins slowly and gradually dropping down a really lovely valley from high alpine pastures, through magnificent forests and eventually into a fertile well farmed valley. It has pretty little villages such as Padmara and the track is not too steep and following the same river all the way down to Jumla. This makes a nice circuit and avoids having a repeat part of the outward trek. On reaching Jumla rest of the afternoon can be spent exploring the busy market town.
Fly Jumla-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu.
Early morning 30 minutes sweeping wonderful flight to Nepalgunj over the Himalayan foothills, overlooking stunning views of the snow capped peaks. On arrival at Nepalgunj depending upon the connecting flight schedule to Kathmandu. If its in the afternoon we will have time, few hours for refreshment in the comfort of the Hotel Batika at Nepalgunj, then connect with flight back to Kathmandu.
At leisure in Kathmandu.
A free day in Kathmandu and please inform our staff if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley.
Transfer to Airport for the International departure.
Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, and your passport handy. Our staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.
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