Rara Lake Circuit Trek via Sinja Valley - 15 Days

Rara · 15 Days

Rara Lake Circuit Trek via Sinja Valley - 15 Days

· Moderate · Max altitude 3,804m (12,480 ft) at Chuchuemara Danda pass · Max group 2-12 people

Duration

15 Days

Max Altitude

3,804m (12,480 ft)

at Chuchuemara Danda pass

Grade

Moderate

Lodging

Tented camping + home-stays + 3-star hotels in cities

Overview

Rara is Nepal's largest lake and one of its quietest trekking destinations. Tucked into Mugu district in the Karnali province, the lake sits at 3,010m inside the protected Rara National Park. Over 15 days this circuit walks you in from Jumla, loops west across the medieval Sinja Valley - the old winter capital of the Khasa Malla kingdom - then crests two grass-covered passes onto the lake itself.

This is a soft-camping plus home-stay trek. Lodging alternates between our crew tents in the open pastures and traditional Thakuri houses in the villages. No high-altitude crisis points, no technical sections, no restricted permits - just remote Nepal at moderate altitude. If you have ever wanted a 14-day trek without crowds, helicopters or 5,000m passes, this is one of the very best in the country.

Highlights

  • Walk the shore of Rara Lake (10.8 sq km, 3,010m) - Nepal's largest at 167m deep
  • Visit the Sinja Valley - 12th-13th century Khasa Malla winter capital
  • See the ruins of the royal palace and the ancient Kankasundri Hindu temple
  • Cross three grass passes: Chuchuemara Danda (3,804m), Ghurchi Lagna (3,445m), Danphe Lekh (3,685m)
  • Camp on the lake shore inside Rara National Park
  • Spot blue pine, oak and rhododendron forest on the approach passes
  • Visit the Rara Mahadev temple on the lake island
  • Trek through Thakuri farming villages largely unchanged in a century
  • Distant views of Kanjiroba Himal (6,883m)
  • Genuine far-west remoteness - 100-200 foreign trekkers per year

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m)

🍽 Welcome dinner

Airport pickup, hotel check-in and trek briefing.

Day 2

Kathmandu sightseeing and trek preparation

🍽 Breakfast

UNESCO heritage sites tour and final equipment check.

Day 3

Fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m)

⏱ 1-hour flight 🍽 Breakfast, Dinner

Short flight to the western Terai. Overnight near the airport.

Day 4

Fly Nepalgunj to Jumla (2,540m), trek to Chere Chaur

⏱ 30-minute flight + 2-3 hours trek 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Quick flight to Jumla and a gentle uphill to camp.

Day 5

Chere Chaur to Chalachaur

⏱ 5 hours ▲ 3,585m at pass 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cross the first ridge and drop into pine forest.

Day 6

Chalachaur to Sinja (2,405m)

⏱ 4-5 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend into the medieval valley of Sinja.

Day 7

Sinja exploration day

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit the Lamadhada promontory, the royal palace ruins and the Kankasundri temple. Home-stay night.

Day 8

Sinja to Ghorosingha (3,050m)

⏱ 4 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climb the Ghatta Khola valley.

Day 9

Ghorosingha to Rara Lake (3,010m) via Chuchuemara Danda (3,804m)

⏱ 6-7 hours ▲ 3,804m 🍽 Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner

Highest day of the trek. Cross the forested pass and drop to the lake shore.

Day 10

Full day at Rara Lake

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 13 km lake circuit 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk the lake rim, visit Rara Mahadev temple, rest.

Day 11

Rara Lake to Pina

⏱ 4-5 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Crest a grass ridge at 3,060m and drop into cedar forest.

Day 12

Pina to Bumra via Ghurchi Lagna (3,445m)

⏱ 7-8 hours 🍽 Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner

Cross the second pass with distant views of Kanjiroba Himal.

Day 13

Bumra to Jumla via Danphe Lekh (3,685m)

⏱ 7 hours 🍽 Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner

Final pass and descent back to Jumla.

Day 14

Fly Jumla-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu

⏱ 2 flights 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch

Two connecting flights back to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner.

Day 15

Departure

🍽 Breakfast

Airport transfer for your onward flight.

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What's included

Included

  • Round-trip Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Jumla flights
  • All airport pickups and drops
  • 3 nights' Kathmandu accommodation (3-star, BB plan)
  • 1 night Nepalgunj hotel
  • Rara National Park entry permit
  • Senior English-speaking guide
  • Full kitchen crew (cook + kitchen helpers)
  • Porters or mules for baggage
  • All camping equipment (tents, sleeping pads, dining tent, toilet tent, kitchen tent)
  • Home-stay nights in Sinja Valley villages
  • Three meals a day plus tea and snacks throughout
  • Boiled drinking water daily
  • Kathmandu Valley UNESCO sites tour
  • Company duffel bag and first-aid kit
  • All government taxes

Not included

  • Nepal visa fee
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance with helicopter rescue (recommended)
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Hot showers, charging, sat-phone calls
  • Alcohol and bottled drinks
  • Tips for the camping crew
  • Any cost arising from flight delays or weather

Trek guide

Karnali Province

The Karnali is Nepal's largest, poorest and least-trekked province. Jumla town (the trailhead) was historically the seat of the Khasa Malla kings who ruled western Nepal and parts of Tibet from the 12th to 14th centuries. The Sinja Valley was their winter capital and the birthplace of the modern Nepali language.

The Three Passes

  • Chuchuemara Danda (3,804m): The highest of the trek, on the approach to Rara Lake. Forested ridge with the first lake views.
  • Ghurchi Lagna (3,445m): Long traverse with views toward Kanjiroba Himal.
  • Danphe Lekh (3,685m): The closing pass back to Jumla, named for the danphe (Himalayan monal pheasant).

All three are grass and forest passes - no snow, ice or technical ground except in winter.

Rara Lake

10.8 sq km, 167m deep, sitting at 3,010m inside Rara National Park. The lake water is exceptionally clear and the surrounding forest is intact blue pine and spruce. The lake is sacred to local Hindus and the Rara Mahadev temple sits on a small promontory.

Sinja Valley

A historically significant valley at 2,405m. The Khasa Malla kings ruled western Nepal from here. The ruins of the royal palace and the ancient Kankasundri Hindu temple are still visible. We spend two nights here in home-stays.

Acclimatisation

Maximum altitude is 3,804m. Standard ascent rules are easily met. No specific rest days needed but the itinerary builds in a full day at Rara Lake.

Permits

  • Rara National Park entry permit

We arrange this in advance.

Best Season

  • Spring (April-June): Wildflowers around the lake, mild days
  • Summer (July-August): Rain shadow makes this workable but trails are muddy
  • Autumn (September-October): Clearest visibility, drier passes

Winter (Nov-Mar) is not possible - passes snow in.

Fitness

Moderate. 15 days of walking, maximum altitude 3,804m, mostly home-stay and camping. No technical ground. Suitable for first-time Himalayan trekkers with reasonable hill fitness. 2-3 months of training.

Packing list

Clothing: Down jacket -5C, fleece mid-layer, soft-shell jacket, hard-shell waterproof, soft-shell trousers, 3 trekking shirts, 2 trousers, thermal base layers, 4 pairs socks, beanie, sun hat, neck buff, insulated and liner gloves

Footwear: Waterproof trekking boots, gaiters, camp shoes

Accessories: 30L daypack, 70L duffel for porter, -5C sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp + spare batteries, polarised sunglasses, 2L water capacity, water purification, power bank, hand sanitiser

Documents: Passport, Nepal visa, insurance, 4 passport photos, copies of permit

Medical: Diamox 250mg (precautionary), painkillers, antihistamines, ORS, blister care, SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm, personal medications

Frequently asked questions

How does Rara compare to other Nepal treks?
Closest in feel to Khopra Danda or Pikey Peak in terms of altitude and difficulty - but with a fraction of the foot traffic. Rara is the quietest standard trek in the country.

Do I need prior trekking experience?
No. Reasonable hill fitness is enough. Maximum altitude is under 4,000m and there are no technical sections.

Will I see snow?
Only on the high passes in spring and late autumn. The lake itself rarely sees snow except in mid-winter.

Is the lake swimmable?
Technically yes, but the water sits around 8-12C even in summer. Most trekkers just dip their feet.

How reliable are the Jumla flights?
Decent. Only 1-2 flights per day so cancellations push you back 24 hours. We always recommend a buffer day at each end.

Are home-stays clean?
Basic but clean. Shared mattresses, simple dal-bhat meals, no hot water. Our cook supervises hygiene.

How many other groups will I meet?
Maybe one or two in the whole trek. Rara sees 100-200 foreign trekkers per year - most arrive by helicopter for a day visit.

Are permits hard to get?
No - Rara National Park entry permit only, USD 30. We arrange it.

Can I combine with Dolpo?
Not directly - they are in different drainages. But back-to-back Rara + Lower Dolpo is a great six-week western Nepal combination.

How cold does it get?
-5C at night at the lake in autumn. -5C sleeping bag is sufficient.

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $2600

per person

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