Day 1: From Kathmandu to Kohalpur
Early in the morning, my six friends and I left Kathmandu on our way to Rara Lake. We were all excited and looking forward to the trip. As we moved toward our first stop at Naubise, the busy streets of the city gave way to beautiful views. This is where we had a delicious breakfast that got us ready for the day.
On the way from Naubise to Mugling, we were heading side by Trishuli River where there were beautiful views of Mountains and lots of scenary. It was a peaceful break from the busy city. When we got to Mugling around noon, we had a big lunch at one of the local restaurants, where we ate traditional Nepali food. The food was not only tasty, but also gave us a taste of the local cooking style, which made our trip more interesting.
As we traveled further, the scenery changed slowly from hilly areas to the wide fields of the Terai region. We were able to stretch our legs and enjoy some local treats during a short snack break in Butwal. The long drive was not only doable but also really fun, thanks to the company of friends and the constantly changing scenery.
We had reached Kohalpur, a quiet town, by the time it got dark. This was the end of our journey for the day. We checked into a nice 3-star hotel and were thankful for how warm and convenient it was. After getting settled, we got together for dinner to talk about the day’s events and our plans for the next few days.
This first part of the trip was really memorable because of the beautiful scenery, tasty foods, and fun of traveling with friends. After a good meal and a happy heart, we went back to our rooms, excited for the events that were waiting for us as we continued our journey toward Rara Lake.
Day 2: From Kohalpur to Jajarkot
After a good night’s sleep, we started the second day of our trip with a healthy breakfast at our hotel in Kohalpur. The air was cool in the morning, and everyone was excited about the day’s journey. It was a beautiful drive from Kohalpur to our first stop, Gurase in the Dailekh area. We saw many beautiful sights along the way. Roads that wound around lush grass and terraced fields gave a clear picture of the untouched beauty of the countryside.
The road conditions changed as the trip went on. Some parts were smooth and well-kept, but other parts were rough and difficult, which made our trips a little more exciting. As we got closer to Gurase, the scenery changed slowly from dense woods to open fields with a few cute villages thrown in here and there. We had lunch at a nearby restaurant where the smell of real Nepalese food made us feel right at home. The traditional spices in the local food made it a wonderful dining experience.
While we were stopping for lunch, we had the chance to talk to some locals. Their friendliness and willingness to share were touching, and they taught us about their culture and daily lives. The talks were interesting and gave a clear picture of the habits and customs of the area, highlighting Nepal’s diverse cultural background.
We took off again on our way to Jajarkot as afternoon turned into evening. The drive was peaceful, and the hills and valleys were colored yellow by the setting sun. When we got to Jajarkot, we were pleasantly surprised by how quiet the town was. We got comfortable for the night and ate dinner at a nearby restaurant. The food was simple but filling, and it was a great way to end a day of new experiences.
The day’s trip from Kohalpur to Jajarkot not only got us closer to Rara Lake, but it also gave us moments we will never forget. The warm welcome of the locals and the beauty of the scenery made day two of our trip one we will never forget.
Day 3: From Jajarkot to Rara Lake, with a stop at Sinja Valley
We started the day with a quick breakfast in Jajarkot, which gave us the energy we needed for our exciting trip ahead. As the vehicle made its way toward Sinja Valley, a place with a lot of historical and cultural importance, our excitement grew. Sinja Valley, which was once the capital of the old Khas Kingdom, opened up like a time portal, revealing more and more of history. We were fascinated by the old writings and artifacts that tell stories from a long time ago.
As we explored, it became clear that Sinja Valley was where the Nepali tongue got its start. The old texts from the valley are written in the Khas language and are very useful for both linguists and historians. As we walked through the old ruins and temples, we could feel the respect for the heritage. It felt like history was whispering from every stone.
We stopped in the valley for lunch in the middle of the day. The local tastes were a nice change from what we were used to. The food, which was made with traditional herbs and spices, made us feel like we were a part of Sinja’s culture. After our short but useful stay in Sinja Valley, we continued our trip toward the mysterious Rara Lake.
As our car made its way through the rough terrain, our excitement grew. Over time, we could see hints of the clear waters of Rara Lake on the horizon, and by late evening, we had arrived at our goal. The lake, which is sometimes called the “Blue Gem of Nepal,” welcomed us with its calm expanse and clear views of the mountains nearby.
As soon as we checked into our hotel by the lake, the peace and quiet made the contrast with the day’s travels stark yet calming. As we enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere by the lake, the end of our trip made us deeply appreciate the natural and historical treasures we had seen. The peace of the night was just what we needed to relax and enjoy the stunning beauty of Rara Lake.
Day 4: Seeing how beautiful Rara Lake is
As the sun slowly rose over the horizon, it lit up the clear water of Rara Lake with a golden glow. On the fourth day of our trip, we were excited to explore all the things that this peaceful escape had to offer. The first part of our day was a peaceful boat ride on the clear water. As we paddled across the huge lake, the reflections of the tall pine trees and faraway snow-capped mountains made a dreamy background that made us feel at peace in a way that is hard to find elsewhere.
We decided to go hiking beyond the lake’s edge to see more. Our hike took us through dense woods and open meadows. The sound of birds singing and leaves rustling went with each step. A group of red pandas darting between trees became one of the best parts of our walk. Their playful antics were a welcome break from the peace and quiet. We stopped many times to take in the wide views, with Rara Lake as the constant, fascinating focal point.
At noon, we took a break by the water and ate lunch while enjoying the beauty of nature. The soft waves lapping against the rocks in the lake seemed to whisper stories from long ago. Seeing fish jump below the water added to the peaceful atmosphere. The bright colors of the area’s flowers in full bloom made for a beautiful background for our quiet moments of thought.
As night fell, we went back to the lake for one last thing: taking pictures of the sun going down. As it went down, the sky turned orange and pink, and each color looked great mirrored in the calm water of Rara. Being at the edge of the lake in the stillness of the moment, with the soft glow of twilight painting the world around us, made us feel deeply linked to nature.
After spending the whole day at Rara Lake, we will never forget it. This part of our trip will be unforgettable because of the beautiful scenery and peaceful atmosphere.
Useful Tips
Where is Rara Lake located?
Rara Lake is Situated in the Rara National Park, in the Mugu district of the Karnali Province in northwestern Nepal. Nestled at an altitude of approximately 2,990 meters above sea level, Rara stands as Nepal’s largest lake, spanning an area of about 10.8 square kilometers. The coordinates for Rara Lake are roughly 29.53°N latitude and 82.1°E longitude, placing it in a remote and serene part of the country, away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Hotels in Rara Lake
| Hotels Name | Contact No. | Google Location | Website |
| Rara Cultural Resort, Rara | +977-9767963413 | G3H2+2V Rara | http://raracultural.com.np/ |
| Danphe Hotel & Camp | +977-9858029050 | G3QG+39R, Rara 21100 | |
| Rara Village Resort | +977-015358598, +977-9851344022 | G2JX+CF, Rara 21100 | https://www.raravillage.com.np/ |
| Gairapatal homestay and resort | – | G4PV+PR, Karkibada 21100 | – |
| Hotel Chhayanath,Talcha | G49X+VC Karkibada | ||
| GD peace forest Resort | +977-9768901599 | G48V+95 Rara | |
| Hotel Janta Plaza | +977-9863339997 | G5X3+XH7, Shreenagar 21100 |
Getting to Rara Lake involves a bit of adventure due to its remote location. The most common route is to fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and then take another flight to Talcha Airport in Mugu. From Talcha, a trek of about 2-3 hours will bring you to the lake. For those seeking a more daring journey, several trekking routes from Jumla and Sinja Valley offer a rugged but rewarding hiking experience through some of the most untouched landscapes in Nepal.
