Wild Karnali Highlights: Jumla and Rara Trek

Rara Lake

If you are looking for going into a vacation that can offer you with natural beauty and the wildest part of Nepal, then Karnali trek is one of the best. The wild Karnali trek to Jumla and Rara is an offbeat trek which takes the trekkers into the gorgeous wild part of Nepal with natural beauty and lifestyle.

The trail from Jumla to Rara will take the trekkers through the mid hills ridges in the south and the glorious mountains in the north. Out trek passes through the Sinja which used to be the ancient winter capital of the Malla kingdom.

370 kilometers north-west of the capital city of Nepal, the Rara National Park is the smallest yet most scenic national park. The park covers an area of 106 sq km with most of its part lying above the 3,000 meters and covered by the conifers.

The trek begins from Jumla, the regional headquarter of Karnali zone. The trail offers the trekkers with an experience of the nature and the untouched remote lifestyle and culture.

Since the trek roams around the Rara national park, the trek is also a wonderful option to experience the least experienced trail in Nepal. The unspoiled lakes and the beautiful alpine and sub-alpine ecosystem of the Himalayas are something you can’t take your eyes off.

DAY 1 – ARRIVE KATHMANDU
You will be met at the airport and be taken to the hotel. You may relax or explore until the group meets at dinner.

DAY 2 – TOUR AROUND KATHMANDU
After breakfast, you venture out for the full day sightseeing (6-7 hours) in a fascinating medieval city, its streets, bazaars, temples, shrines and Buddhist stupas are crowded with peoples of every creed, color and race. Rickshaws, taxis and hooting motorists add to the din and create that special atmosphere that Kathmandu is so famous for. You visit the Swayambhunath Temple (also known as the Monkey Temple) and the Durbar Square in the heart of the city. This is where the Kumari is. Many of Kathmandu’s most historic and important temples are located here. Next you will drive to Patan, once a beautiful city in its own right which rivaled Kathmandu in terms of the splendor of its temples and squares. You cross a bridge over the Bagmati River that links Kathmandu with the city of Patan, its neighbor to the south. Patan has more excellent architecture and has long been a centre of Newari craftsmanship. There will also be time to purchase any last minute supplies for the mountains.

DAY 3 – FLY FROM KATHMANDU TO NEPALGUNJ (150 m) 1 HOUR FLIGHT
We will fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. The scenic flight is about an hour long. Nepalgunj lies in the western region of Nepal and is near to Nepal-India border. Nepalgunj is the gateway to Simikot and Humla. The town in itself is a huge storehouse of the diverse culture of Nepal. The local market is worth making a visit.

Overnight in Nepalgunj, includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 4 – FLY FROM NEPALGUNJ TO JUMLA (2350 m) 30 MINUTES FLIGHT
A maximum of 30 minutes flight from Nepalgunj will bring you to Jumla. The flight will leave the plains of Terai and take you to the hilly landscape of Jumla. Jumla lies in the foothills of Sisne Himalaya and is one of the hard to access districts in Nepal. The Jhapa is the second highest paddy production district in Nepal after Morang. The Jhapa town is a valley and the administrative headquarters of Karnali Zone. Jumla is the gateway for the trekkers to explore the remote Karnali region of Nepal.

Overnight in Jumla, includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 5 – FLY FROM JUMLA TO CHERE CHAUR (3055 m)
Our trek starts from Jumla. After the morning breakfast, we will start our trek towards our first destination Chere Chaur. Leaving Jumla behind, we will pass the Jugad Khola and the Khalanga bazaar on the way. The Khalanga bazaar is a small market place for the nearby villages. Before we reach our destination, Chere Chaur, we will walk across some villages and a temple.

Overnight in Chere Chaur, includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 6 – CHERE CHAUR TO CHALA CHAUR (2980 m)
Our trek continues towards west from Chele Chaur. The trek will start with a slow ascend along the western trail until we reach the Jaljala Pass at 3580 meters. As we cross the path, the trail turns to be plain until we reach the Jaljala Chaur. Moving forward, we ascend the steep trail and enter the Rara Lake Circuit before we reach Chala Chaur.

Overnight in Chala Chaur, includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 7 – CHALA CHAUR TO SINJA VALLEY (2490 m)
After breakfast, we will begin to trek to Sinja valley. The trek starts with an uphill climb. We continue along the trail and pass through several villages and the Jaljala Khola. The trail will take the trekkers to the Sinja valley which is a place of historical importance in Nepal. The valley is the ancient capital city of Khasa: the Kingdom that rules the place between 12th to 14th centuries. The ancient palaces, temples, and the remains of the settlement are the important historical elements of Sinja valley.

Overnight in Sinja valley, includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 8 – SINJA VALLEY TO GHOROSINGHA (3050 m)
We will start our trail from the Sinja valley on an uphill trail. Trekkers will walk alongside the Hima River. The trail leads us along the steep climb for some more time and then becomes quite easier until we reach the Laha village. Leaving the Laha village, trekkers will again follow the steep trail along the Ghatte Khola and reach the Ghorosingha.

Overnight in Ghorosingha, includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 9 – GHOROSINGHA TO RARA LAKE (3010 m)
After breakfast, we continue our trek. We will be walking towards Ghorosingha today. The steep ascent will take us along the Chuchhemara Danda. The Chuchhemara Danda offers the trekkers with the beautiful views of the Himalayas. Before we reach the Rara Lake, we will pass through the Khatyar Khola Camp and some villages including the Murma. After we pass the Murma village, the trail becomes a bit easier. Continuing to walk towards the Chapri village, we will finally reach the Rara Lake. The beautiful Rara Lake and the lush vegetation of the Rara National Park make the whole environment a perfect place to be on earth.

Overnight in Rara Lake, includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 10 – EXPLORE RARA LAKE
We will spend a day exploring the beauty of the Rara Lake. The lake is also called Mahendra Taal after the name of late king Mahendra. The beautiful lake is the largest freshwater lake in Nepal and is home to several fish varieties. Tourists can also enjoy the boating in the pristine lake and admire the picturesque atmosphere around the lake. The Chuchhemara peak lies on the southern side of the Rara Lake whereas the Ruma Kand and the Malika Kand peak stand on the northern side.

Overnight in Rara Lake, includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 11 – RARA LAKE TO PINA (2440 m)
We will leave the Rara Lake the next day. The trail is relatively easy and includes the straight path until we reach Gamghadi. The Gamghadi is the headquarters of the remote Mugu district of Nepal. From Gamghadi, the trail gets steeper. We will descend the steep trail until we reach the Pina village.

Overnight in Pina village, includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 12 – FLY TO NEPALGUNJ FROM TALCHA AND THEN TO KATHMANDU
We will fly back to Nepalgunj today. The flight covers the distance of around 165 km and takes around 45 minutes. Since, the flight connects Nepalgunj with the difficult to access Rara Lake; the Nepalgunj to Talcha is a very popular domestic flight in Nepal.

As we reach the Nepalgunj airport, we will catch another flight to Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. You will get plenty of time to freshen up and have some rest after the long trek.

DAY 13 – LEISURE DAY AT KATHMANDU
A spare day in Kathmandu will be a relaxing day after the successful completion of the long Rara Lake and Jumla trek. Since this will be your last day stay in Nepal, you can also enjoy the traditional dinner in Kathmandu. They provide beautiful environment with the cultural performances. Also, you can make a short trip around the Kathmandu city in the afternoon and have some snaps to add on some extra flavor to your trip.

DAY 14 – FINAL DEPARTURE
Well, you vacation now comes to an end. We will give you a short farewell and our representatives will drop you to the Tribhuvan International Airport for your convenience.

Inclusions

  • Government Trained License Holder English-speaking guide/leader
  • All domestic and International airport transfers on arrival and departure
  • Good standard hotel accommodation in Kathmandu/cities with twin sharing bed and breakfast basis
  • All road transport by private vehicles
  • All domestic airfares
  • All meals and accommodation on trek including tea and coffee
  • Morning bed-tea on trek
  • A free high-quality Dolma Treks duffel bag/relative trekking map and Tee-shirt
  • Trek staff and full porteragem
  • All camping gears in our camping treks
  • High altitude Sherpa/porters properly insured and equipped
  • National Park fees + Permits

Exclusions

  • Travel insurance
  • Visa fees
  • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Tips
  • Laundry and personal expenses
  • Whatever is not mentioned in the included section

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Now booking open for Fixed Departures in 2023

Get your free Travel guide to Nepal!

Now booking open for Fixed Departures in 2023