Have you ever heard of Rara Lake? Yes Rara Lake, the biggest and most beautiful lake of Nepal. It is situated in the lapses of green western hills. The freshwater stretched over an area of 6.11 sq mi and surrounding green hills make this place a dreamland. This lake has attracted so many people till now and the trend is not stopping yet.
Among some ways to reach Rara Lake(2990m), the jeep tour is the most popular and exciting one. Rara Lake jeep tour is a 7 day escape from the ever bustling world. It is a thrilling jeep journey to the most rural yet beautiful part of Nepal. The jeep ride is equally scenic and adventurous until Rara lake and vice versa. The off-road journey of this tour is the most exciting. Body shakes like a milkshake and the level of thrill is in the air. And the view from the jeep window is awe-inspiring.
Rara Lake is a perfect place to stray in nature. The beauty that this lake holds is unexpressible. It is just like a nymph resting and guarded by several hills. The special thing about the Rara lake is that it changes colour, three colours in a day.
And, the backdrop Rara lake is as beautiful as the Lake, the green lush forest and hills. During Spring, the palace is heavenly decorated with varieties of flowers, adding the rainbow to the already colourful Rara.
To say it all, Rara Lake jeep tour is a superb journey which leads you in the lap of the queen of the lakes, i.e. Rara lake. Every other second of this tour is memorable, you will remember it for your lifetime. So, come and join the excursion to the piece of heaven on the earth.
Highlights of Rara Lake Jeep Tour
- Scenic jeep ride from Kathmandu to Kohalpur
- Picturesque and adventurous ride over Karnali Highway
- Short hike through the woods of Rara National Park
- Observing the breathtaking view of Rara Lake from close distance
- Strolling around the lakesides
- Spending the overnight in the banks of Rara
- Enjoying the delightful boat ride in the Rara Lake
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Drive Distance: 535km
Drive Time: 12 hours
Road Condition: Pitch road
Altitude Gain: 175m
Overnight in: Kohalpur
Kohalpur, the main city of western Nepal is 535km west from Kathmandu. So, the Rara Lake jeep tour will start with the ride to Kohalpur. This jeep takes around 12 hours to reach Kohalpur after leaving Kathmandu behind. With some tea and meal breaks on the way, it takes full daytime to arrive in Kohalpur. Throughout the drive time, you will enjoy a broad range of views.
The view includes serpentine rivers, green hills, lush forest and various modern and traditional settlements. You’ll also pass via Banke National Park. Enjoying views through the window all the way, you’ll reach Kohalpur. Overnight in Kohalpur at Hotel.
Drive Distance: 250km
Drive Time: 7 to 8 hours
Road Condition: Mostly pitch road, rough somewhere
Altitude Gain: 2033m
Overnight in: Manma, Kalikot
After resting overnight in Kohalpur, it’s time to hit the road again. On this day, you will leave the plainlands of Nepal and enter the hillsides. The ride will go through dense forests towards scenic hills. Your first break for today will be at Surkhet(1000m), the beautiful valley of Mid-western Nepal. Kohalpur to Surkhet is a 3 hours drive distance.
After lunch, the jeep will approach a gentle steep road for reaching Manma before nightfall. The ride will be equally scenic and adventurous as the jeep will wheel on turning roads of Karnali Highway. Drive time from Surkhet to Manma is nearly 4 to 5 hours. The road until Manma is good with few rough times where the jeep bumps like spring. Manma is the headquarters of Kalikot District and a good place to spend the night. Your overnight will be at Manma(2033m) which is located perfectly at the hilltop. You will take a rest after the long and tiring journey. The night view from Manma top will heal your pain away.
Road Condition: Rough road
Altitude Gain: 2990m
Overnight in: Rara Lake
This will be the regular third jeep ride day. After breakfast at Manma, you will leave behind your hotel to join the rough and thrilling highway. Firstly you will cross Sinja valley and then Nagma valley. The view throughout the ride time is scenic and exotic with varied landscapes, trees and rivers.
The highway until Nagma is somehow good but a few seconds after Nagma, the true road adventure starts. From Nagma it is a rough road which runs just above the long Karnali river. Crossing several villages and forests for 4 hours, the jeep arrives at Talcha airport(2735m) area.
The 30 minutes drive more from the airport and your jeep ride finally ends. Getting out of the jeep after a long and tiring journey is an awesome pleasure. From the jeep parking area, it is a 2 hours hike to reach Rara Lake.
This short walk to Rara lake is so alluring as you will walk through alpine forest feeling the cool breeze. After walking some hours, you’ll touch down the banks of Rara Lake. Just pause and enjoy the view of the most beautiful and pristine Rara Lake.
Today is the vital part of the Rara lake jeep tour, the reason behind all of your jeep trouble. It is a full day dedicated to exploring the wide vicinity of Rara lake. After all, it is the biggest lake of Nepal with a length of 14 km.
So, you’ll tour around the banks of Rara lake to enjoy the view of a crystal-clear lake with vast hills and mountains in the backdrop. Take enough of the pictures there because you won’t get such photogenic surroundings daily.
There are several other things to do except enjoying the view like boating, horse riding, lakeside hiking. Among these activities, boating is a must thing to do. The boating charge is around NPR 700(7$) per head. Do the boat ride and explore the Rara lake much better way along with some rare and unique fishes strolling around into the water. At the end of the day, you will find that one day is never enough for enjoying the serenity of Rara Lake. Overnight at the banks of Rara Lake.
Drive Distance: 250km
Road Condition: Rough road
Altitude Gain: 2033m
Overnight in: Manma
After a memorable stay at the lakeside of Rara Lake, it is time to drive back home. So, you will start by hiking up to the Jeep parked area. While hiking, glance at Rara lake and take some last-minute pictures. The jeep will be warming up to retrace the same road again to reach Manma. You’ll repeat the same views of rugged landscapes of Mugu from the window. Enjoying the ride, you will arrive at Manma once again for the overnight stay.
Drive Distance: 249km
Road Condition: Pitch plus Rough road
Altitude Gain: 175m
Overnight in: Kohalpur
Today will be the second homecoming day of the Rara Lake jeep tour. After breakfast, you will hop into the Jeep for a scenic ride to Kohalpur. The jeep will continue retracing the way back to Kohalpur. The ride back to Kohalpur takes around 6 to 7 hours to complete.
Until reaching Kohalpur, it will be already dark so you will check-in into the hotel. Refresh yourself and eat dinner before saying goodnight. This particular night will be the most relaxing as you will fall asleep within a few seconds due to the tiredness.
Drive Distance: 535km
Drive Time: 12 hours
Road Condition: Pitch road
Altitude Gain: 1400m
Overnight in: Kathmandu
This will be the last day of the Rara Lake jeep tour where you retrace the same highway to reach Kathmandu. The ride will be equally scenic like the prior rides. The jeep will reach Kathmandu after speeding for nearly 12 hours from Kohalpur. However, the duration can vary with the traffic congestion. Soon after reaching Kathmandu, you will check-in into the hotel. Just take rest and enjoy the success of the tour completion.
