Jumla - Rara Lake Trek

Himalayan peaks:
API Himal (7132m), Api West Himal (7100m), Mt Saipal (7031m), Mt Rakshya Uda (6593m), Kandey Himchuli (6227m), Mt Buraburi (5387m) and others. Rara Lake is the biggest and most popular lake in the western region of Nepal. It is located in Jumla and Mugu districts of Karnali zone, perhaps the most remote and underdeveloped region in all of Nepal. However, the nature and ecological biodiversity of Jumla is worth all the adventure.

The lake is the deepest (167m) freshwater Ramsar site in Nepal and is part of Rara National Park. The park is known to have unique collection of flora and fauna such as endangered red panda, common Langur, and rhesus monkeys. The lake in particular is habitat of such as snowtrout fish, frog, gadwall, mallard, tufted duck etc.

There are two routes to Rara from Jumla- via Bumri to the east or Sinja to the West. This off the beaten trekking trail goes through Baragaun, Pina, Gumgari all the way leading to Rara lake. Much of the track passes through rhododendron, pine, spruce and juniper forests with constant backdrop of western Himalayan peaks such as Api Himal, Saipal and Buraburi. Since the lower belt is inhabited by Khas people you will encounter many Hindu temples such as Chandan Nath Temple in Jumla.

You will return via Sinja valley which could be an attractive spot for seeing archaeological remains of medieval states. It is also one of the highest rice growing area in Nepal. From here you drop down to Jumla through Jaljale Chaur.