For those looking for the cutting edge of adventure trek through the rugged and non-touristic area in Nepal, Jumla – Rara trekking will be the best option!
Jumla & Rara lie in the remote Karnali region of mid-western Nepal. Jumla is a Trans -Himalayan valley with high ridges covered with coniferous forests & alpine pastures. Rara Lake, the largest lake in Nepal, and Rara National Park, the country’s smallest national park with an area of 106 sq. km enhance the attraction to trekkers to this region. The park’s elevation ranges from 2,800m to 4,039m. This beautiful high altitude Rara Lake is surrounded by alpine meadows and forests of blue pine, black juniper, Himalayan cypress, and spruce, whilst in the background the magnificent view of snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas is fantastic. Snow trout is the only fish species so far recorded in the lake. A small part of the park serves as an ideal habitat for the endangered musk deer. Other animals found in the park include Himalayan black bear, leopard, goral, Himalayan tahr, and wild boar. Resident Gallinaceous birds and migrant waterfowl are found around the lake. The great-crested grebe, black-necked grebe, and red-crested pochard are seen during the winter. Other common birds are the snow-cock, chukar partridge, Impeyan pheasant (danphe), kalij pheasant.
The views of Sisne, Kanjiroba Himal, and tranquil surroundings enhanced by the reflection of Gurchi Lekh on the blue water of the lake of Rara make the trek worthwhile. Upper and Lower routes of the Great Himalayan Trail (GHT) pass through the shores of Rara Lake.
Trekking to Jumla – Rara remote area in Nepal offers glimpses of in culture, picturesque villages, and scenery very different from other parts of the country. Being fairly a high altitude trek above 3062m, the Jumla Rara area is free from monsoon thunderstorms and one can accomplish the trek even in the monsoon which is the best time to visit. The trek is accessible by a flight to Jumla via Nepalgunj.
