Rara Lake Road Trip and Hike
Travel overland from Kathmandu to Rara Lake in eight days, with time by the water and an optional Murma Top hike.
Photo: MITESHSTHA · CC BY-SA 4.0
About this spot
Rara Lake lies in Mugu inside Rara National Park, about 2,990 m above sea level. This is an overland road trip with walking at the destination. It allows two full days by the lake instead of eight continuous trekking days.
Suggested Kathmandu-return plan:
Day 1 — Kathmandu to Kohalpur or Surkhet; overnight.
Day 2 — Continue by road to Manma.
Day 3 — Drive via Nagma and Sinja to the usable Rara roadhead; walk to the lodge.
Day 4 — Explore the lakeshore.
Day 5 — Another lake day, or an optional Murma Top hike around 3,700–3,800 m.
Day 6 — Return by road to Manma.
Day 7 — Continue to Surkhet or Kohalpur.
Day 8 — Return to Kathmandu.
Expect long, tiring drives and basic accommodation. Confirm Karnali road conditions and reserve your lodge before leaving; keep at least two extra days. February–April and October–November are usual seasons. Park entry, transport, food and accommodation are separate costs. The Murma climb requires additional effort and should be skipped if altitude or weather is a problem.
Keep the acclimatization stops. Do not climb higher with altitude-sickness symptoms; worsening symptoms require descent and medical help. Confirm permits and guide requirements for your nationality.
Sources (checked 17 September 2026):
https://ntb.gov.np/rara-national-park
https://www.raraecoresort.com/packages/rara-…
https://ntb.gov.np/plan-your-trip/before-you…
https://himalayanrescue.org/health-problems
Location
Rara National Park, Mugu, GamgadhiRara National Park, Mugu, Nepal. Destination: Rara Lake Nepal. Nearby settlement / discovery location: Gamgadhi. The suggested journey starts and ends in Kathmandu.
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