Rara and Jumla lie on the remote Karnali zone in the north – west of Nepal. The region is made up of long ridges covered with temperate forests and alpine pastures enclosing high valleys. Summer rainfall is low, but winter snow can be heavy and persistent. Since the region is fairly high and free from monsoon thunder storms, the summer season is ideal for trekking. Winters are cold, but in the autumn season, trekking is rewarded with a profusion of alpine flowers.
» Itinerary Details:
Day 01: Kathmandu – Nepalganj
Afternoon flight to Nepaljang, where we spend a night. Day 02: Nepalganj – Jumla
Fly to Jumla. The town is in a delightful valley and here are the highest limits of rice paddy cultivation in the world. The town is the administrative headquarters of the entire Karnali. Day 03: Jumla – Chere chaur
From Jumla there are two tracks to Rara. Normally people trek the lower route. The trail follows the Tilka river, passing through a patchwork of fields and fragrant pine forest. Arriving at Uthugaon, the trail climbs up the Gursini Khola valley, passing through a deep forest of pine, spruce and fir to the village of padmara. The climb continues in forest over the pass at 3400m and descends to Danphe Langa, where we spend the night. Day 04: Chere chour – Nauri Gaud
The trail descends through fir, birch, walnut and Bamboo forest. After crossing a bridge we climb to the classic Tibetan style village of Bhara and then descend to Chautha. Day 05: Nauri Gaud – Vhulvule
The trail climbs to the Gurchilanga pass through forest and grassy meadows, passing a few local teahouses. Day 06: Vhulvule – Jyari
It is a short, pleasant trek with fine views to the north. From Dhotu, we traverse a steep north- facing slope and cross a series of fields down to a small stream. Crossing the bridge, we climb up to the hamlet of Jhari (2500m) From Jhari, we climb steady up a ridge to a low saddle, from which there are fine views of the beautiful Rara lake. From here, it is a pleasant descent to the meadows on the south side of the lake. The former village site of Rara (3040m) is two hours walk along the western bank of the lake. Designated National park in 1975, Rara boast an abundance of wildlife, including aquatic birds and rich forest around its large lake at a height of 2980m. This is an ideal place to relax for a day or two. Day 07: Rara Lake
Rest and explore around Rara lake. Day 08 : Rara – Ghorasain
After 15 minutes walk from Rara the trail ascends all the way to Gurchimara at 3710m and then descends to Gossain (3271m) Day 09: Ghorasain – Sinja
A varied trail with scenic views climbs Lumsa before descending to the Thakuri village of Sinja. Day 10: Sinja – Jaljala Chaur
Most of the trek is through forests of pine, birch and oak, as well as a few scattered house and fields of barley and corn. Then the trail makes a steep climb to Jaljala chaur(3350m) Day 11: Trek to Jumla (2370m) Day 12: Fly to KTM via Nepalgunj /Hotel Day 13: Free day for shopping or relax Day 14: Drive to airport for return flight
Price Included and Excluded
Trip Cost Includes:
- Airport pick up & drop by Ghale Treks and Tours Private Vehicle.
- A Professional Tour/Trekking guide
- One porter each two clients in tea-house trek, required cook, trek crews & porters in tent trek
- Insurance, lodging, food & allowance to your trek crews
- Tent & mattress for tent and camping trekking
- All meals as per itinerary
- Land transportation as per itinerary
- All accommodation as per itinerary
- Trekking Permit, TIMS, National Park / Conservation Entry Fees.
- Domestic Flight Ticket as per itinerary.
- All applicable taxes and service charges of Ghale Treks and Tours.
- Farewell Dinner at Nepali Cultural dance restaurant. Excluded:
- International Airfares and airport departure taxes as applicable.
- The cost of personal items like laundry & all kind of soft & hard drinks
- Optional excursions
- Cost of visas, travel insurance
- Tips
- Gratuities for services provided on a personal basis
- The single supplement payable on all bookings where only one person is traveling
- All others except committed to provide in ‘cost included’ section above.
Prepare
In addition to obvious items such as hiking boots, warm clothing, UV sunblock etc., here is list of things that you might not have considered taking along, but that can greatly enhance the quality and comfort of your journey.
Soft and light shoes (sneakers or kung-fu shoes are perfect) - after a long hike in inflexible hiking boots, you will be extremely happy to have some light and soft footwear to to wear around the lodge or in the village.
Lightweight knapsack - this is very useful for short trips away from your lodge, and will save you having to lug your large backpack along. It should be big enough for your camera and a change of clothes and sleeping bag, if you plan to spend a night away.
Lightweight sleeping bag - as most (all?) lodges can offer you blankets, a light sleeping bag should be sufficient for the journey. Taking a light bag will save you valuable space in your backpack.
Fabric bandaids - blisters on the feet can turn a wonderful walk into a hell. Bandaids (sticking plasters) should be immediately applied to any area of the foot that there is irritation and friction - don't wait for the blister to develop before doing this. However, only fabric made bandaids will stick to a sweaty foot. Others (even those that claim to be water-proof) will fall off in minutes. A good alternative to bandaids is duct tape. Works great for blisters and also proves invaluable in many other ways.
Personal First Aid and Emergency Gear -
First aid kit with moleskin and bandages designed to cover blisters
Sunscreen lotion.
Energy snacks. So many different types are available buy a variety and sample them to learn which brand gives you the biggest boost.
An emergency kit in case you get lost. Include a whistle, compass, space blanket, string, duct tape, matches and iodine tablets.
Flashlight and extra batteries
Binoculars
Knife
Extra pair of prescription glasses
Bug Repellent
Are You in Good Enough Shape?- You may walk a mile or two on pavement comfortably, but can you walk four or five miles a day ? or more? on varied terrain without collapsing on the couch for the rest of the afternoon? Once you've chosen a trip, Ghale Treks and Tours will inform you, what level of physical fitness you should be at to take the trip. Then, create a plan to ensure you are ready physically.
Ways to Get in Shape for Walking and Hiking - For many trips it's okay to start your training a month or two before you leave for vacation. Spending time at the gym working with weights and on a treadmill, StairMaster or stationary bike is one route. Supplement the training with long walks or hikes on weekends, preferably on dirt trails instead of pavement. Jogging on toughens you up and increase your agility and stamina.
Bring the Right Pack - Bring a pack that fits your body comfortably? whether it's a day pack to hold your water bottle, snacks, sunscreen lotion and jacket ? or a pack designed to hold enough gear for a multi-day hike through the mountains.
Hints:
Travel time from September to May (but not June/July/August, because then it is rainy-monsoon season in Nepal)
After every meal (three times a day), tea/coffee will be served during the trekking. Apart from this, every morning we provide clients with either boiled water or soft black tea to carry with them on their Thermos Bottle. For the supplement of extra drinks, clients have to buy mineral water themselves which is available at all places.
Recommended equipment list: sleeping bag, a warm jacket, good trekking shoes, sunglasses/sun cream, an insulated bottle for hot drinks and basic medicines.
Maximum luggage weight 20 kg per person.
There are always 1 or 2 additional porters with the crew who take care of clients who get sick or unable to even carry their daily private luggage.
Shower possibilities every 3-4 days during the trek but the cost in not included at trip, no laundry service available.
A prepayment of 30 % has to be paid directly after reconfirmation at our company bank account. Final payment becomes upon arrival in Kathmandu before starting date of the tour.
