Rara Lake is the largest lake of Nepal. Known also as “Mahendra Taal”, this exotic lake lies in Mugu district in western part of Nepal. At an altitude of 2990m, Rara lake lies between the coniferous forests, mirroring the snow capped Himalayas. It is extended up to 10.8 sq km with an oval shape. The lake is recorded to be 167m in depth, enrich with different rare aquatic species. It is also home to many medicinal herbs. The lake lies within the Rara National Park, which is by far the smallest national park of Nepal.
The Rara National Park was named after the Rara Lake. The park is covered with dense coniferous forest which is habitat to various flora and fauna. The pines, oak, rhododendron etc dominate the forest proportion with wild life like Red Pandas, musk deer, leopards, Himalayan Black bear, Monkey, wild dogs, Yellow-throated marten as inhabitants. The national park, especially the Rara lake area receive number of migratory birds like water fowls, Coots, Common teal, merganser and gulls etc. The esident birds are Kalij, blood pheasant, Impeyan and many others. The Rara Nationla Park is home to some 214 species of birds and over 20 species of mammal.
The Rara Lake is surrounded by hills and mountains. The “Chuchemara” hill (4.087m) is the best point to see the stunning view of oval shape turquoise blue lake with green forest and snow peak just above it. The area is pristine as no civilization lives there, except the army camps nearby. However visitors can enjoy tea houses and boatmans while surfing around the lake side.
Rara Lake in Nepal has been a favorite travel destination for internal as well as external tourist. The remote location has been a concern for lot of people who wants to get glimse of the spectacular lake. However, the regular airways option from kathmandu to Mugu have help lots of visitors to enjoy short trip to rara lake. Rara Lake is only hours walk from the Talcha airport of Mugu district. But for travelers interested in real adventure of trekking into the deep forest rich of natural ectasy, Jumla to Rara trek is best. The trek is total of ten days which starts and end at Jumla. The trek trail passes from the Rara national park which starts from 1400m altiude, from between the pass of karnali gorge, into dense forest to reach the Rara Lake. On the way the multicultural ethnic communities and harmonized blend of Buddhism and Hinduism can be experienced. The trek offers stunning views of western Nepal landscape. Mugu district lies in rain shadow of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range due to which the place is very arid. The attraction of Mugu has been the Rara lake which attracts number of visitors every year to this remote land.
There are number of agencies who conduct trek package to Rara Lake Nepal. So any one interested in exploring the aroma of sceneric beauty and thrilling chill of Rara Lake, can choose to get set to Rara lake Nepal trek.