Introduction
Rara Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Nepal and also among the deepest lakes. Other than common trekking regions like Everest region, Annapurna region, and Langtang region, Rara Lake has started to gain the attention of hundreds of thousands of tourists and trekkers visiting the region. The trek to Rara Lake is fascinating, but when you combine the stunning beauty of the nation with the ideal time, the adventure becomes even more thrilling. This blog will provide you with context on the best time to visit Rara Lake.
Rara Lake Trek is one of the underrated regions of Nepal for trekkers or tourists. It is one of the major attractions in the far western region of Nepal and is situated between Jumla and Mugu districts. These districts are pretty remote and isolated, but they still attract trekkers who want to experience the trekking adventure. Exploring Rara Lake is a fun and new adventure, but it is also highly challenging because of the high altitude, long distance, rugged terrain, and isolation.
But if you want to minimize the challenges of trekking in the isolated region and explore Rara Lake at its best, book your trip at the best time. So, let’s find out the best times to visit Rara Lake and learn the season when trekking is discouraged.
Table of Contents
Best Time to Visit Rara Lake
Rara Lake is Nepal’s longest and deepest freshwater lake. At the appropriate time of the year, this region is among the most stunning and equally spiritual. Rara Lake can be visited year-round, and exploring this region is fascinating. The area’s cultural values, lifestyle, rural settlements, and breathtaking natural beauty are among its attractions. So, let’s look at some of the best times to visit Rara Lake.
Spring
Spring is among the best times to visit Nepal and Rara Lake. This season starts in March and ends in May. It begins after the end of winter in February, which means the first few weeks of Spring are still a bit colder and chilly. The best spring trekking attraction is the ideal conditions, such as sunny and stable weather, mild temperature, chill climate, flowering trails, and jungles covered with magnolias and rhododendrons. The trek to Rara Lake is among the most beautiful, so trekking in the Spring makes the experience even more majestic and exciting.
Autumn
Autumn is another ideal season for trekking at Rara Lake, in addition to Spring. Many veteran trekkers also believe that this season is even better than Spring. Autumn in Nepal starts in the middle of September and ends in November. The early days of November receive rainfall in the region since it is the post-monsoon season. However, once October approaches, the days become sunnier, the temperature is milder and ideal for trekking, and the skies and mountains are more evident than in other seasons in the region.
Off-Season To Visit Rara Lake
As there are two ideal seasons for trekking, there are also two off-seasons: Winter and Monsoon. The off-season for trekking is those seasons, which means that the trekking conditions are the most miniature ideal in these seasons, and people are discouraged from trekking. However, trekking in these conditions is not impossible, and you might get the experience of your lifetime, especially in the winter. So, let’s look at some of the off-season treks in Nepal.
Winter
The winter season is one of the off-seasons for trekking or visiting Rara Lake. This season starts in November and ends in February. The early days of November are a bit colder, so November is the preferred month for trekking if trekkers want to experience the trek in the winter season. The significant difficulties that trekkers will face during the winter session are freezing temperatures, dynamic weather, heavy snowfalls, blocked trails, and natural disasters like avalanches, snowstorms, and blizzards.
Monsoon
The monsoon season in Nepal starts after the end of the Spring season, from the middle of June to the end of August. Trekking in Nepal during the monsoon season is not recommended. The heavy and prolonged rains, muddy paths, and landslides make it challenging to explore the beauty of the Rara region. The weather can be unpredictable, and it may not be an ideal time to visit Rara Lake. However, if you are determined to visit Rara Lake during the monsoon season, some advantages exist, like the trek being cheaper and the trails being less crowded. Ensure you are prepared for the trek by carrying the necessary clothing, gear, and equipment.
Major Activities of Rara Lake
Meditation and Yoga
Meditation and yoga are among the most common and fun activities that trekkers engage in after reaching Rara Lake. Yogis, monks, and priests have practiced yoga in the lap of the mountains for thousands of years. The availability of yoga and meditation that makes one’s mind peaceful also makes the Rara Lake Trek among the best spiritual treks in Nepal. The Gurus in the area also heavily emphasize the significance of meditation, which focuses on the stories of Lord Buddha and Lord Shiva. The trek to Rara Lake can also help you implement yoga and meditation in your everyday life, so this visit is influential.
Boating in Rara Lake
One of the most common activities trekkers can engage in during their Rara Lake Trek is boating in the serene lake. It is one of the most common ways to relax and engage in activity, pass the time, and enjoy the beauty of nature. During boating activities, tourists can also engage in unique fishing activities where they can catch many fish and enjoy themselves. During your boat ride, you will see amazing views of the jungles surrounding the area and crisp views of the mountains and skies, which is a spectacle of its own.
Spot rare wildlife
One of the nearest places to explore from Rara Lake is the Rara National Park, home to countless floras and fauna. Rara National Park is created for the preservation and conservation of common to endangered plants and animals like pine, fir, birch, hemlock, rhododendron, black bear, jackal, Himalayan Tahr, Snow Leopard, wild dogs, langur, monkeys, etc. There are also over 214 species of birds conserved in the national parks, like snow cocks, coots, owls, eagles, mallards, grebes, pheasants, gulls, red-crested pochards, and others.
Horse Riding
Another most common way to engage in the Rara Lake Trek is the fantastic horse riding. A beautiful path along the trek takes you to the forests, surrounding areas, and hills. Several guides with horses and saddles will give you instructions before jumping on the horse. If you have known horse riding before, then this experience will not be new, but the beautiful surroundings of the lakes make horse riding one of the everyday activities in which to engage. Horse riding is also eligible for people with old age or injuries who must pay a certain amount to ride from one place to another within the Rara Lake venue.
Camping
Camping is also a fun activity you can engage in around Rara Lake. There are many activities like horse riding, fishing, boating, etc., but just finding a shady place, pitching a tent, and resting in sleeping bags with your friends and family surrounding you are also quite pleasurable. Camping at Rara Lake is a great way to enjoy the beautiful mountains and stunning night sky. The best time to go camping there is spring and early winter.
Trek to Murma Viewpoints
The Rara Lake Trek offers breathtaking views of the mountains. You can trek to the Murma Viewpoints to see these mountains. The hike to Murma Top provides a lovely viewpoint where you can see the entire lake, surrounding area, and distant mountain peaks. Some villages surround the lake, but none are at the water’s edge. From the viewpoint, a majestic view of the Saipal mountain is visible, creating a fantastic atmosphere for clicking photos.
Kathmandu to Rara Lake Route
If the tourists are in Kathmandu and want to experience a peaceful spiritual trekking route, then the trek to Rara Lake Route is the must-see. To reach Rara Lake, you can take several modes of transportation, such as bus, car, jeep, and even plane. In the case of a plane route, you will board a flight from the Tribhuvan International Airport and a flight to Nepalgunj. You will stay at the hotel for one night.
The next day, you will board a flight from Nepalgunj to Talcha and land at Talcha airport, where you will trek for about 2-3 hours until you reach Rara Lake. The next day, you will trek around Rara Lake and engage in some activities before boarding a flight to Nepalgunj and then back to Kathmandu. Another way to reach Rara Lake is by road route or by boarding a bus. You will board the bus to Surkeht, which will take about 12 hours. You will have lunch and then drive for about 7 hours to reach Kalikot, where you will spend the night.
The next day, you will drive to Talcha Airport, which takes another six to seven hours. You can stroll around the area in the evening or rest. The next day is the day for the Rara Lake Trekking, where you will engage the whole day, participating in the different activities. The next day, you will travel to Jumla Bazaar for another day of trekking and then return to Surkhet before boarding a bus back to Kathmandu.
Conclusion
Hence, these are the best times to visit Rara Lake and engage in one of Nepal’s most beautiful trekking regions. There are two ideal seasons for trekking Rara Lake: spring and autumn. These provide ideal conditions for trekking some of Nepal’s toughest and most isolated regions. The sunny weather, ideal temperature, and beautiful trails with stunning views of the mountains, skies, and valleys are the major reasons you have to trek at the best time and minimize the challenges along the way.
You can also trek the Rara Lake in the off-season, such as winter and monsoon, but the challenges and hardships will make the trek much more difficult. So, if you are a beginner and don’t have prior experience, then it is wise to visit Rara Lake at the best time and enjoy the trek to the fullest.
FAQs
How long does it take to reach Rara Lake?
You can reach Rara Lake from Talcha airport by trekking for about four hours, which is ideal during the trekking seasons, such as spring and autumn. However, if you land at Jumla airport, you can reach Mugu district by car or jeep and then trek to the stunning Rara Lake for about five hours.
Which permits are needed for the Rara Lake trek?
To legally visit the Rara Lake Trek, the trekkers must issue two permits: a Mugu Restricted Area Permit, which is valid for ten days and costs around $100 per person for the first week and then $10 for every day beyond, and a Rara National Park Entry Permit, which costs around $30 per person for non-SAARc country foreigners.
Is swimming allowed in Rara Lake?
Yes, swimming is allowed in Rara Lake, and it is among the most popular activities that trekkers do after visiting the area. Many trekkers, after four to five hours of hectic trekking, reach Rara Lake and start swimming to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. They also engage in other activities like boating, fishing, or bird watching, which is more common in this area.
How far is Rara Lake from Kathmandu by road?
The distance between Kathmandu and Rara Lake is 656 km by air and 863.9 km by road. To reach Rara Lake from Kathmandu, you can take a public bus, tourist bus, car, jeep, or plane. However, you can’t reach Rara Lake directly from Kathmandu. Instead, you must reach Mugu or Jumla and either trek for several hours or take a vehicle.
Is there a risk of altitude sickness during the Rara Lake Trek?
Rara Lake is situated at an elevation of 2990 m, which is almost 3000m. The trek passes through multiple places higher than 3000m, which means there is a slight risk of altitude sickness. However, there are several places for acclimatization, and since the number of days you will stay at a high altitude is low, the risk of illness is low.
