Rara National Park

This is Nepal's smallest national park with the biggest lake. Covering an area of 106 sq km Rara National Park is located in the far north-west districts of Mugu and Jumla. Lake Rara, with its crystal clear water is the heart of the park and one of the primary sources of the Mugu Karnali River. The area around the lake is dominated by sub alpine forests of blue pine, rhododendron, juniper, spruce, oak and cypress supports a wide variety of wildlife including Musk Deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Jackal, Himalayan Thar etc. Migratory birds and water fowl like Coots, Great-crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Red Crested Pochard, Mallard, Common Teal, Merganser and Gulls. The Snow Trout is the only fish recorded in the lake so far.

Rara National Park is 3 days walk from Jumla or a week’s trek from Surkhet. You will have to go through Nepalganj to reach both destinations. The easiest way however is an hour long charter flight to Gamghadi from where Lake Rara is an easy 2 hour walk. The best season to visit the park is in spring or in late autumn. There are no lodges in the park.

Features
Rara Lake (Mahendra Tal), situated at an elevation of 2990 m. is the main feature of the park. The lake is oval shaped with an east-west axis, and has a maximum length of 5 km and a width of 3 km. Surrounded by magnificent conifer forests, it is Nepal's biggest lake (10.8 sq . km) with a depth of 167 m. Its radiant blue waters is home to the snow trout (Schizothorax oreinus sinuatus), the only fish recorded in the lake.

During winter, bird lovers can enjoy many migratory birds. In summer, Himalayan flowers surround the lake creating a colorful landscape. The elevation of the park ranges from 2800 m to 4039 m. Chuchemara peak (4039 m) is the highest point in the park. Located on the southern side of the lake, it provides an excellent backdrop to Lake Rara. The snowcapped summits of Ruma Kand (3731m) and Malika Kand (3444m) located on the northern side of the lake; provide beautiful views of the lake to the south, and the beautiful Mugu-Kamali River valley to the north. Murma Peak also provides an excellent view of the park area.
The lake drains to Mugu-Kamali River via Nijar Khola. The majority of the vegetation in the park is dominated by blue pine. Interspersed amongst the pines, are found several species of rhododendrons. Blue pine, herbs, marshlands, and tussock grasslands inhabit the area surrounding the lake. In the Nisa khola Valley pine and spruce give way to mixed woodland containing walnuts and Himalayan popular. Rhododendron, fir, oak, and birch species can be found in the sub alpine region.

Vegetation
One thousand and seventy species of flora are estimated from Rara National Park. Rhododendron, fir, brown oak, and birch species are found in the sub-alpine region.  Below 3200 meters, the vegetation consists of mainly Blue Pine (Pinus excelsa), Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboretum), West Himalayan Spruce, Black Juniper and Himalayan Cypress. Above 3200 meters, the vegetation changes to a coniferous forest consisting of a mixture of fir, spruce and pine.

Fauna
Fifty-one species of mammals, 241 species of birds, two species of reptiles and amphibians, and three species of fish have been recorded from the park including Musk deer, Red Panda, Snow leopard, Himalayan Black Bear,Indian Leopard, Jackal, Himalayan Tahr, Yellow-throated Marten, Otter, Dhole, Gray langur, Rhesus Macaque.

 There are 241 recorded species of birds, including 49 wetland species. Coots are often found in the lake. During the winter, Great-crested and Black-necked grebes, Red-crested Pochards, Mallard, Common Teal (Anas crecca), and Common Merganser are common. Other birds seen often include the Himalayan Snowcock, Chukar Partridge, Himalayan Monal, Kalij Pheasant and Blood Pheasant.
In 1979, three endemic snowtrout species were collected in Lake Rara and described as new species: the Nepalese snowtrout Schizothorax nepalensis, the Rara snowtrout Schizothorax raraensis and Schizothorax macrophthalmus. Also in 1979, the frog species Paa rarica has been first recorded as endemic to the lake.

Local Settlements:
There are no settlements inside the park. Residents of two villages, Rara and Chhapru, were moved out in 1976 and resettle in Bardia District. Villages around the park are Jyari, Pina, Topla, Tuma, Ruma and Murma. The local economy is based on agriculture, primarily potatoes, buckwheat, beans, barley and wheat. Hindus dominate the community composition.

Attraction
Lake Rara is the most beautiful and interesting site in the park. Bird lovers enjoy winter with the migratory birds. Hundreds of varieties of ground flowers form a colorful carpet in summer. Conventional currents do not allow the lake to freeze in winter. Chuchemara Peak (4048 m) on the southern side of lake presents a magnificent scene with the gleaming blue water within a basin of well forested hills. Other summits are Ruma Kand (3731 m) and Malika Kand (3444 m) to the north of the lake. From these peaks one can enjoy the view of the lake, peaks to the south and beautiful Mugu Karnali River valley to the north.

Trekking
Rara is not generally a tourist destination, as there are little to no accommodations within the park, no health post, and it is difficult to get to. Visitors must fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, followed by a flight to Jumla or Kolti. From there, a three-day trek will bring them to the park office. Alternatively, visitors can travel from Nepalgunj to Kurkhet, where it is a ten-day trek to the park. The lake has not received over 200 tourists in any year. Experienced trekkers can visit the national park via any of these routes, and Rara National Park is an interesting destination for many interested in seeing various flora, fauna, and scenery unique to the area.

Seasons:
Summer is pleasant; however, the winter brings cold temperatures and heavy snowfall (up to one meter). The best time to visit is October to December or March to May. The winter is quite severe with ground frost occurring from October.

December through March is the time of snowfall with the temperature dropping to below freezing point. High passes remain closed by heavy snowfall during this time. The month of April brings the warmer weather and monsoon season is June to August.

Facilities
It is advisable to bring a comprehensive first-aid kit since there is no health post in the area. Arrangements should be made through a trekking agency. There are no accommodations within the park. Trekkers must be self-sufficient in all means.

How to Get There:
Rara National Park can be visited either from Jumla (2.5 days trek) or from Surkhet (10 days trek).

Important Points:

  • Flora and fauna are fully protected and must not be disturbed.
  • Visitors entering the park should be self-sufficient in fuel supply (kerosene). Use of firewood is strictly prohibited.
  • Camping inside the park except in designated areas is strictly prohibited.
  • Movement inside the park before sunrise and after the sunset is prohibited.


Entry fees into Rara National Park:
All visitors must pay a park entry fee at Bhulbhule guard post or at park HQ

National Park fees per person per entry:

  • For Nepali Nationals Free
  • For SAARC Nationals Rs 100
  • For Foreign Nationals Rs 1000
  • Children below 10 years Free
  • Be sure to keep your entry ticket with you as it might be checked by the park personnel.

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