Rara National Park is a protected area in the Himalayas of Nepal and was established in 1976. Covering an area of 106 km2 (41 sq mi) in the Mugu and Jumla districts, it is the country's smallest national park.
Rara National Park is a protected area in the Himalayas of Nepal and was established in 1976. Covering an area of 106 km2 (41 sq mi) in the Mugu and Jumla districts, it is the country's smallest national park. Its main feature is Rara Lake at an altitude of 2,990 m (9,810 ft). The park was established to protect the unique flora and fauna of the Humla–Jumla Region of Nepal.
The park ranges in elevation from 2,800 m (9,200 ft) to 4,039 m (13,251 ft) at Chuchemara Peak on the southern side of Rara Lake. On the northern side, the peaks of Ruma Kand and Malika Kand frame the alpine freshwater lake, which is the largest lake in Nepal with a surface of 10.8 km2 (4.2 sq mi) and a maximum depth of 167 m (548 ft). It is oval-shaped with an east-west axis, a length of 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) and a width of 3 km (1.9 mi) draining into the Mugu-Karnali River via Nijar Khola.
The rich vegetation of the park is home to the endangered red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, Himalayan tahr, yellow-throated marten, wild dog, wild boar, common langur, rhesus macaque, and common otter. During winter the park abounds in bird varieties like coots, great-crested grebe, black-necked grebe, red-crested pochard, mallard, common teal, merganser, and gulls. Migrant waterfowls and gallinaceous birds can also be seen during certain seasons.
Rara in the far northwestern part of Nepal is the smallest national park, while the Rara Lake is the biggest lake in the country. The lake is 167 m deep at some places and drains into the rivers Mugu Karnali via Nijar Khola. Chuchemara Hill at 4,087 m is the best vantage point to get the magnificent views of the deep blue clear lake and the forested hillsides, as well as the snow, capped peaks around it.
The easiest means to reach Rara is to Visitors must take a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, followed by a flight to Jumla or Kolti. From there, a three-day trek will bring them to the park office. Alternatively, visitors can travel from Nepalgunj to Surkhet, where it is a ten-day trek to the park. You could also start this refreshing trek in the hilly village of Jumla where apple orchards stretch out over the hills.
The trek leads through the remote countryside toward the Tibetan border. A journey into the Jumla region and the beautiful Rara Lake is probably one of the most rewarding and fascinating treks in all the Himalayan range given its un-spoilt splendor of nature.
The best time to visit the park in autumn, spring, and summer. As a well-loved tourist region, tourist services and infrastructure have developed over the years. However, for the best experience, it is still most advisable to be self-sufficient if traveling alone. Lake Rara is also a popular pilgrimage site for Nepalis.
The park ranges in elevation from 2,800 m (9,200 ft) to 4,039 m (13,251 ft) at Chuchemara Peak on the southern side of Rara Lake. On the northern side, the peaks of Ruma Kand and Malika Kand frame the alpine freshwater lake, which is the largest lake in Nepal with a surface of 10.8 km2 (4.2 sq mi) and a maximum depth of 167 m (548 ft). It is oval-shaped with an east-west axis, a length of 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) and a width of 3 km (1.9 mi) draining into the Mugu-Karnali River via Nijar Khola.
The rich vegetation of the park is home to the endangered red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, Himalayan tahr, yellow-throated marten, wild dog, wild boar, common langur, rhesus macaque, and common otter. During winter the park abounds in bird varieties like coots, great-crested grebe, black-necked grebe, red-crested pochard, mallard, common teal, merganser, and gulls. Migrant waterfowls and gallinaceous birds can also be seen during certain seasons.
Rara in the far northwestern part of Nepal is the smallest national park, while the Rara Lake is the biggest lake in the country. The lake is 167 m deep at some places and drains into the rivers Mugu Karnali via Nijar Khola. Chuchemara Hill at 4,087 m is the best vantage point to get the magnificent views of the deep blue clear lake and the forested hillsides, as well as the snow, capped peaks around it.
The easiest means to reach Rara is to Visitors must take a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, followed by a flight to Jumla or Kolti. From there, a three-day trek will bring them to the park office. Alternatively, visitors can travel from Nepalgunj to Surkhet, where it is a ten-day trek to the park. You could also start this refreshing trek in the hilly village of Jumla where apple orchards stretch out over the hills.
The trek leads through the remote countryside toward the Tibetan border. A journey into the Jumla region and the beautiful Rara Lake is probably one of the most rewarding and fascinating treks in all the Himalayan range given its un-spoilt splendor of nature.
The best time to visit the park in autumn, spring, and summer. As a well-loved tourist region, tourist services and infrastructure have developed over the years. However, for the best experience, it is still most advisable to be self-sufficient if traveling alone. Lake Rara is also a popular pilgrimage site for Nepalis.
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