Rara - calm, clear, magnificent

The water as calm as you could imagine, as clear as you could imagine...

A journey into the Mugu region and the beautiful Rara Lake, is probably one of the most rewarding and fascinating treks in all the Himalayan range given its tranquility and the un-spoilt splendor of nature. Rara, situated at an altitude of 2,990 m, is the biggest lake in Nepal. This sparkling lake with brilliantly clear water is surrounded by a spruce and juniper forest and lies within the Rara National Park. The easiest means to reach Rara is to take a flight from Nepalgunj to Mugu (Talcha) and take a 4 hrs walk to Rara lake, or take a flight to Jumla, from where your destination is 2-3 days walk away. Start this refreshing trek in the hilly village of Mugu where Rhododendron orchards stretch out over the hills. You then enter the Rara National Park, which is the smallest national park in Nepal. Surrounded by blue pine, black juniper, West Himalayan spruce, oak and Himalayan cypress, Rara Lake is also a popular pilgrimage site for Nepalis. This spectacular scenery and its serenity will bring inner peace to any visitor.

Since few tourists and natives visit the Rara Lake, there are no elaborate tourist facilities either along the trekking route or inside the park except a hotel just beside the shore of the Lake. Camping is also a good option if trekkers are self-sufficient in all their needs.

Update: Besides being the largest lake, Rara is recently found to be the deepest lake of Nepal with 167meters depth (as opposed to the popular belief of being 650 meters, Shey Phoksundo lake was measured to be only 145meters deep)