Rara Lake Trek - 12 days

Free Airport Pick up

We know the difficulties a person faces in a foreign country, such as navigation problems. Hence, we provide free airport pick-up service during arrival for all our clients. When you arrive at Kathmandu Airport, you will find our company representative holding a pamphlet with your name on it. After greeting you, they will present you with a marigold garland and then take you to your hotel in a private vehicle. However, you must share your flight details with us to take advantage of this service. We also provide free hotel to airport (Tribhuvan International Airport) transfer after your trek completes. 

Journey start

You will arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport at least one day before the trek departure date and before 3 pm to participate in the trek briefing. During the trek briefing, we will introduce each other, motivate you, provide you with vital trek information, and also check you have all clothing, gear, and equipment required for the trek. We will conduct a trip briefing at your hotel or the Discovery World Trekking office. On the trek departure date, we will fly you to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. You will spend a night in Nepalgunj, a major industrial hub of Nepal. The following day, you will fly from Nepalgunj to Jumla. After offboarding in Jumla, you will start on the trails until Chere Chaur.  

Accommodation

This package includes ten nights of tea house/lodge stays at trek regions. You will also spend a night at Nepalgunj before flying to Jumla, the trek destination. We handpick the best lodges/tea houses in the trek regions. All rooms are on a twin-shared basis. You will require at least two-night stays in Kathmandu, one before the trek start and the other at the end. However, this package does not include these hotel stays. You can enjoy hot showers in trek regions for a small fee.  

Meals

Rara Lake Trek is a long trek at a relatively higher altitude. As trekking is physically exhaustive, you will need enough nutritious food. Our company provides plenty of nutrient-rich, hygienic, and tasty food throughout the trek. The food choices are traditional, Asian, and western food. However, in remote regions, food choices may get limited. We will provide you with 10 lunches, 10 dinners, and 11 breakfasts in trek regions. Here are your food choices.

Breakfast:  Oatmeal, Corn Flakes, Honey Tibetan bread or Chapati, Local Tsampa Porridge, Eggs, Pancakes, Muesli Breads, French toast with Jam, Butter, Cheese, Fruits, Vegetables, Hot drinks (varieties of teas and coffees, hot chocolates, etc.)

Lunch: Dal, Bhat, Tarkari, Tibetan Bread, Various Soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Macaroni dishes, Tenduk Spaghetti Noodles, Thukpa, Pasta, Momo (dumplings), Vegetable curry, Potatoes, Vegetables, Salad Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Snacks (Papad, Prawn), Desserts, (Rice Pudding, Apple pie), etc

Dinner: Dal, Bhat, Tarkari, Tibetan Bread, Noodles Thukpa, Pasta, Vegetable curry, Potato items, Various Soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo (dumplings), Macaroni, Tenduk Spaghetti, Vegetable and salad Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Snacks (Papad, Prawn), Korean Ramen, Desserts items (Rice Pudding, Apple pie), Hard Drinks Steaks, etc

Though you will have plenty of non-veg items, we do not recommend them for hygiene concerns. We also advise you to refrain from dairy, alcoholic, and caffeinated drinks. Instead, you can double down on fresh vegetables and liquids, such as lemon/green/ginger tea and garlic soup.  

Best time for Rara Lake trek

The trek elevation reaches over 3,500m, and Rara lake lies in a remote region. So, you must consider the weather conditions before you decide to trek to Rara Lake. Here are the weather conditions at high altitudes for the Rara Lake trek. We conduct Rara Lake trekking only in spring (March, April, and May) and autumn (September, October, and November).

Winter (December, January, February)

These are the coldest months that bring snow to the region, mainly in the passes. Roads and airports in this region shut down, making treks to Rara almost impossible. However, it is strange that Rara lake never freezes. We do not conduct Rara Lake treks during winter.

Spring (March, April, May)

The temperatures are mild, the sky is clear, and the trails are in great condition. Hence, spring is one of the best seasons to trek to Rara Lake, the other season being autumn. The blooming rhododendrons uplift the trekking spirit to a whole new level. Your fight to Jumla also provides a fantastic aerial overview of western Nepal. We conduct this trek during spring.

Summer (June, July, August)

As summer in Nepal coincides with the monsoon, this is also not a favorable season for the Rara Lake trek. You will have to face heavy rain, wet and muddy trails, or even landslides. The cloudy skies can obstruct the views. We do not conduct Rara Lake Trek in the summer.

Autumn (September, October, November)

The monsoon recedes, leaving behind clean and fresh trails. The mild temperatures make the trek much more comfortable. The clear skies allow you to enjoy the grand views of the landscapes, and the flight to Jumla, allows you to get stunning views of the Nepali landscape. Major Nepali festivals (Dashain, Tihar, Chhat, Indrajatra) fall during this season, making the overall trekking experience fabulous. 

Group/single

We conduct both private and group treks and can handle all sizes. For groups of 12 or more, we add an assistant guide. If you have your group, you may be eligible for discounts commensurate with the group size. Hence, it is always better to reach your family, friends, and colleagues for the trip. However, we will not provide discounts for the trek groups we form.

Trip grade and fitness

This is a moderate trek that is equally rewarding. The highest point of the hike is Chuchemara Peak (4,039m). Hence, an average person can complete this trek. The trek route consists of steep uphills, downhills, and straightforward paths. You will trek inside dense forests and, at times, on rocky sections. However, you need not be worried about your safety. Our guides will ensure your safety and well-being. Since the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your trek, we advise you to take part in stamina-building exercises, such as jogging, swimming, or cycling, a few weeks before departing for the hike. We recommend you consult your doctor before booking the trek if you have lung, heart, or blood disease.

Typical day

You will never have to relive the same day. Each trekking day will bring you new experiences as you will trek to new places, taste local delicacies, click pictures, and explore a new region. As you travel, our guide will inform you about the destinations as you visit them. Porters will carry your luggage so that you can enjoy your trek to the fullest. 

Trek day starts after breakfast at around seven or eight am, considering the length of the trek and the nature of the trails. Trek will not be continuous as you will take time out to rest and soak in the scenery. We will serve you lunch after three or four hours of trek, often between the next destination. After lunch, we will rest for an hour and then continue the hike. The afternoon trek will be shorter.  

After reaching the destination, you can snack on your extra-dietary items. Then, you are free to explore the nearby regions. Dinner will be at around six to seven. After dinner, your guide will brief you about the next day’s plan. Then, you are free to spend your time as you like. You can read books, play cards, chess, or monopoly. Most of our guests also learn a few light Nepali words before heading to bed.

Electricity and water

The Rara Lake trek takes you to some of the most remote parts of Nepal, less frequented, compared to other remote trek regions such as the Everest region, or Annapurna region. Hence, tourism infrastructures are not very developed. In more remote parts, there is no electricity. So, whenever you get a chance, you must remember to charge your battery for your electronics. You might have to pay a small fee to use the electricity. 

You can buy bottled water in certain regions only. So, it is a good idea to bring a water bottle and fill it with boiled water, which you can buy at the lodges/tea houses you will be staying. The water bottle also eliminates plastic pollution. We recommend you use water purification pills before drinking water. If you do not have these pills, we can provide them.

Communication

Due to remoteness, the communication infrastructure is also rudimentary. Most parts of the trek do not have internet connectivity. You can buy a local SIM in Kathmandu for your mobile, but again there are chances that the mobile signals may not be strong enough. However, Discovery World Trekking remains in contact with its trek teams via trek leader at least once a day. We do this to ensure that the trek is progressing as required and everyone is safe, sound, and comfortable. 

Travel Insurance

Rara Lake Trek takes you to remote Nepal, a region without adequate health centers. Since you will be trekking above 3,500m, there are high altitude risks involved in the trek. Hence, adequate trek insurance is compulsory. Your insurance must cover helicopter rescue and evacuation up to the highest trek altitude (4,000m) and treatment costs. 

If you need help choosing a trek insurer, we can recommend insurers based on our previous client experiences, but we are not involved in selling any insurance in any shape or form. In emergencies, we will use your insurance and other informational documents to arrange a quick and effective rescue.

Passport and Visa

All foreigners, except Indians, require a visa to enter Nepal. However, the good news is citizens from most countries can get an on-arrival visa at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu or at immigration checkpoints along Nepal-India and Nepal-China borders. You need a passport with at least six months of validity, a passport-size photo, and visa fees to apply for the visa. The current visa fee is USD 50 for a 30-day stay. You will have to pay more if you want to stay longer. Children under the age of 10 can get free visas.

Similarly, SAARC (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) and Chinese nationals can also get free visas with some restrictions. However, people from Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan cannot get an on-arrival visa. Hence, if you are a citizen of these countries, you must contact your local embassy.

The Nepal government can change visa rules at any time. Hence, for the latest information, please visit https://www.immigration.gov.np.

Money Exchange

Nepali Rupees (NPR, NRs) is the official currency of Nepal and 1 USD is almost equal to NRs 130. Despite the security of the traveler’s cheque, we advise you to bring cash (major currencies) to avoid lengthy processes and high bank commissions. Banks can charge 4 % or more as their service charge. On the other hand, if you bring cash, you can easily exchange them for Nepali Rupees in legal money exchanges all over Thamel in Kathmandu. The legal money exchanges display their ongoing rates publicly. Some hotels also exchange small amounts of foreign currencies.

If you have Indian Rupees (INR), ensure that you have only INR 100 or INR 2,000 notes, as only these notes are legal in Nepal. You can use your foreign card to withdraw Nepali Rupees from ATMs all over Kathmandu. Several of these ATMs are open 24/7. The withdrawal fee is Rs.500 for Rs.35,000 withdrawal. 

Please ensure to exchange money in Kathmandu based on your spending habits. We estimate that you will require USD 10 to 20 per trekking day. The trek regions do not have foreign currency exchange facilities, and locals do not accept foreign currency. 

Luggage

We assign porters to carry your luggage, but the luggage weight limit per trekker is 9 kg. Each porter will carry luggage for two trekkers and no more than 18 kg. We do not overload our porters. We also expect you to bring with you a small backpack with your valuables (like jewelry, cell phone) and essential documents (passport, credit card, insurance certificate). You can store your excess luggage at our store for free during the trek. We recommend you travel light and only pack essential things. 

Extra personal expenses

Our package covers most expenses during the trek, such as lodging and flooding. However, the package does not include all costs. All meals and accommodations in Kathmandu are not covered. Kathmandu has all sorts of hotels to fit your budget and tastes. Similarly, you must bring spending money to cover other costs such as meals and accommodations in Kathmandu, travel insurance purchases, souvenirs, drinks (cold, hot (tea/coffee) and alcohol), tips, and other miscellaneous costs. We advise you to bring cash (major currency) and exchange them for Nepali Rupees.

Trek safety

Your safety, security, and well-being are our utmost concerns. We have put checks and balances to ensure your safety. We carry all standard equipment, gear, and clothing required for the trek. Our team carries first aid kits and oximeters ready to face any event. Our team members have extensive experience and are trained to handle difficulties. If a team member falls ill, the team leader will decide whether to continue the trek or descend immediately based on the team's condition and often after consulting the head office. In emergencies, we will use your insurance and deploy a helicopter to bring you back to safety. Hence, adequate insurance is a must. For an added layer of safety, the trek team travels together. 

Discovery World Trekking crew

Our staff members come from remote Himalayan regions, and therefore they have natural endurance at high altitudes. They have extensive experience in providing trekking services. All our staff members are precious to us. We provide them with a good salary and cover their insurance, food, lodging, equipment, clothing, and gear costs. They receive medical care when they are ill or injured.

We believe that only a happy person can keep others happy. Hence, we try our best to keep our staff happy. Moreover, we view them as a part of our global family, which also includes the clients we serve. Our trek leaders are very skilled. They hold Nepal-government-issued trekking licenses, are fluent in English and another major language, and have completed intensive wilderness first aid training. In addition, they have rock climbing experience. 

Responsible travel

We are aware of the adverse effects of tourism in the trek regions. If we do not take precautions in keeping trek regions in pristine condition today, no tourists will visit those regions in the future. It would be detrimental to the local economy, and tourists will also have fewer regions to visit. Hence, we conduct eco-friendly trips in partnership with Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP). We dispose of waste properly, do not take anything from the trek region, and try our best to leave only the footprints behind. 

Booking and payment

Discovery World Trekking is a Nepal-government registered, licensed, and bonded trek and tour company in service for over a decade. We are also members of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN). So you can book your treks with us in confidence.

We require 10 percent of the trip cost in advance to confirm the booking. You can pay through bank transfer, Wise or credit card online. The rest of the trip amount is due when you arrive in Kathmandu. Again, you can pay in cash, by bank transfer, or by using a credit card. We will also email you payment details along with the mode of payment.

Please send us your vital information, such as passport copy, passport size photos, travel insurance policy, and arrival and departure flight details within a week of booking the trek.

Tipping

In Nepal, it is customary to leave a gratuity for good service, and the amount should be based on factors such as the cost of the service, the length of the trip, and the quality of the service received. We suggest you tip at the end of the trip and as a group. Tipping is not a part of wages for our staff.

Last-minute booking

It is always better to plan. However, some people prefer to live in the spur of the moment. For those people, we provide a last-minute booking provision. To take advantage of this provision, you must complete 100% of the trip cost 24 hours before the trek departure date. We are ready to conduct treks at all times (trek seasons), but in case of last-minute booking, you cannot hold us responsible for delays due to circumstances beyond our control, such as bad weather, unavailability of flights, or lodging.

Trip extensions

After completing Rara Lake Trek, if you have free days to spend in Nepal, we can organize fun activities for you, such as sightseeing in and around Kathmandu, Chitwan jungle safari, canoeing, rafting, or even another trek.

Feedback

After the trek completion, we organize a farewell dinner in Kathmandu. After the dinner, we will present you with a Discovery World Trekking trek achievement certificate. It is also a great time to provide your feedback so that we can better serve future trekkers like yourselves. If you are happy with our service, please consider leaving positive reviews on travel portals like Tripadvisor. 

Useful info

Though this trek has fixed departure dates from Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, if the dates do not suit you, reach out to us. We can organize your trek at your convenience. The above itinerary is a general guideline, and in rare cases, we might have to modify it for reasons such as landslides, bad weather, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, your trek leader will decide, keeping in mind the interests of the team members as a whole.