Rara Lake to Phoksundo Lake Trek

We follows your international flight scheduled and receiving you from arrival gate of Tribhuvan international airport. The airport to hotel straddling into the medieval Kathmandu city. After room check-in have a leisure time until the official meeting held where we provides details of your Rara lake and Phoksundo lake trek and introduce with licensed trekking guide. Then your Rara lake trek guide will check a complete trek gear list and help for packing.

2-hours before the flight scheduled your trekking guide receipt from the hotel then brief drive to the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan international airport. Then an hour flight towards western Nepal, the town called Nepaljunj which also bordering with largest south Asian country India. The flight provides a close-up view of the mountains and countryside. Upon arrival, Nepalgunj airport transfer to the hotel then enjoys your time exploring the nearby local market.

After breakfast drive to Nepalgunj airport for the Talcha flight, it about 45 minutes flight that provides closely and Ariel Mountain View of the western Himalayas. Talcha airport is set on above the Gamgadi town.
Talcha airport to Rara lake trek is pretty easy throughout the village and the forest. From Talcha airport about 2 hours ascending through the village to the ridge, a complete hike to the ridge offers excellent landscapes of the valley, hills, and mountains. Now we follow a flatten path into the forest and reach the north face of Rara Lake and the remaining path to the lodge led along the lake. You'll be seen different species of the birds and some common animals on way to the lake. There are three different lodges and some tented camps for the accommodation. And basic and common foods are listed on the menu-card with normal hot drinks.

The spare day spends exploring the nearby attraction of the Rara lake, a couple of things can do around Rara lake hours ride and make a loop around Rara lake, boating across the Rara lake, and ascend to the Murma top viewpoint. Murma top viewpoint side trek would be the most attractive trip can do around Rara Lake. Murma top laying a few hundred meters higher elevations than the sleeping place. A trail to Murma top viewpoint contains a steeply climb into the forest also passing the Hindu goddess temple. There is a view tower at the summit that delivers a 360-degree panoramic view of the assorted landscapes as well as the best view of the Rara Lake on the foot of the mountains. On the way back to the lodge also walk through tranquility Murma village. The realistic mountain village is set on the sloppy mountain where the people do farming to support life.

After breakfast, our trek starts and follow the trail on the south of the lake and then leaving the main trail behind and follow the branch trail inside the forest. It is a vertical climb on the forest and as getting higher the path opens up and gets a beautiful view of the Rara Lake on the backdrop. Our trail passes some villages namely Jhyari, Dhuir, and then crossing 3,450 m Ghurchi Lagna pass. Towards from summit walking down into the forest and the large grassy pasture also checking trekking permit at Rara national park check-point then a short walk on the jeep track to Bulbule village.

From Bulbule follow a downhill path into the forest to the stream then after crossing the bridge. We pass a few villages namely Chautha, Bharbhare Bhiunaula, and Himdhuski before arriving at our lodge Khali Lagna. From Bhiunaula village we rapidly climb up into the forest to Khali Lagna.

Today we are heading to Jumla, the capital of the district. From lodge short climbing to Khali Lagna pass (3,550 m). The pass arranges the picturesque view of the Sinja and Jumla valley, the valley is very popular to fertilize the Marsi Dhan (cold-tolerant genes in rice). Our further trail towards Jumla through series of downhill also passing villages and crops field to Jumla. Jumla is a huge town where a private toilet and hot shower is available in the room. Stay comfortable in the night and let your leg relax till begins next walk.

The trek begins after breakfast at the hotel, then following the trail along with the upstream also passing traditional water-mills. Then often crossing the bridges the trail leads uphill through the villages and also sees the seasonal flowers are blossoming both sides of the path. We then walking inside the forest of maples, walnuts, and pine then starts to see the large grassy valley. The valley is called Guthichaur and it is one of the sheep and goat breeding centers in Nepal, the large number of sheep and goat habit here where the Nepal government doing research. Some local entrepreneurs running very basic accommodation lodge and guesthouse for travelers.

Leaving the animal graze pasture behind and follow a straights path to the bank of a branch of Tila River. We then arrive small hamlet called Muni village where the trail confluence to Jajarkot, Jumla, and Dolpo.
We gradually ascending on the meadow then arriving on the ridge with some houses, the village called Chotra (3,015 m). We explore eye-catching mani stupa here and also get beautiful diverse landscapes on the foot of the mountains. Our Kagmara la pass trail continuous downhill to the Tibetan cultural settlement, Naphu Khona.

From the morning ascending on the grassy pasture and forest to Mauri Lagna pass (3,900 m). The dramatic summit offers a stunning view of nearby mountains including Ghyuthumba and Matathumba also gets sceneries of the large Thulo Bheri valley. Our trek continuous on the stony downhill path on the open sloppy ridge then passing through the forest of pine and oaks. Then we reach crops field and villages above the Thunder Bheri valley and arriving Chaurikot village.

After breakfast we follow descend the trail, it passing aside of the dramatic village where we experience western Nepal villager lifestyle closely. Our path approaching snow cover Kagmara peak and lush-green Kagmara Lekh above the valley. The trail often taking inside the forest of walnuts and pine to the stream where Rimi village is located. Now the trail continuous upstream to Hurikot that provides a good view of the Kaigaon. If planning to skip the Kagmara La Pass then from Kaigaon the trail leading to Suligad, near to Dunai and 2-days walk takes to Shey Phoksundo Lake. We visit the beautiful gompa at Hurikot, it has good morals and images of Buddhist teachers.

After breakfast leave from Hurikot village, our hike continued along the river then passing traditional Tibetan style village and officially entering Shey Phoksundo national park with passing check-post. A trail toward to Kagmara la pass leading inside the pure forest to Garpung Khola. Here does not have any permanent human hamlet except the seasonal animal graze. We make our campsite in a good and comfortable area in the ground near to the water source.

A trail begins from the campsite with following upstream and crossing the river a few time. Kagmara la pass trek route continuous into the vibrate forest and greenery pasture as well as alpine terrain. Also, climb on the cliff then the trail became narrow on the boulder canyon. An entire day trek offers diverse sceneries of the lush green forest, alpine territory, and snow-clad mountains. We make our tented camp at parched pulverized near to water reserve.

Crossing Kagmara la pass (5,115 m), one of the toughest and longest trekking days in our Rara Lake and Phoksundo Lake trek. From the camping area, the trek starts after breakfast and carry pack-lunch with together sufficient drinking water. We have long precipitously ascended on the moraine, glacier as well as fresh snow to Kagamara la pass summit. The pass looks very colorful because of the decorated by numerous praying flags, a series of stone cairns, and stupas. We also get a closer view of the mountains including Kanjirowa, Kanchauni, and numerous nameless snow peaks. From Kagamara la pass huge drop down to campsite Lassa, the trail contains forest, glacier, moraine, and crossing stream several time.

The route from Lassa to Pungmo village is gradual and brutal descend on the forest and streams. Maximum time walking inside the forest of juniper, birch, and dwarf wildflower shrubs. The trail is beyond the permanent human hamlet where frequently spotted different species of the birds and distinct animals also get an awesome view of the north face of Kanjiroba peak. Since the unspoiled area is out of local people access barely find the trail to the Pungmo village but our team is well known with each corner. Pungmo is a small village with Tibetan culture influence during the winter migrate to lower elevation in warmer places. The locals produce different seasonal grains like buckwheat, potatoes, barley, wheat, and fresh vegetable.

Finally trekking to Shey Phoksundo Lake, it is the most beautiful hike throughout the downstream, forest, villages, waterfall then overnight at next to the turquoise lake. The first part of the trek has long downhill to Sumduwa where our trail joint with the Dolpo trek route. There is Nepal army check-point and check our trek permit then our trek continuous along the Phoksundo River with climbing up. We rapidly passing local tea shops en route to Shey Phoksundo Lake and also get a close-up view of the Suligad waterfall from the ridge. The Pholsundlo waterfall is believed to be the longest cascade in Nepal. From here the trail initial descends aside of the Phoksundo Khola also passing agriculture farm to Ringmo village. You will be seen the lake from the roof of the lodge, it is a deepest fascinating blue color lake.

Rest and exploration day around Shey Phoksundo lake, Ringmo village has a typical Tibetan flavor with an open roof. The Shey Phoksundo Lake is located next to the village and series of the Bon-Po stupas and stone cairn built above the turquoise lake. There are two option day hang-out at Ringmo village either explore the lake and Buddhist pilgrimage sites (monasteries) or half-day tour to Shey Phoksundo lake viewpoint. The viewpoint offers a breathless view of surrounding mountains and glaciers with an enormous view of emerald Phoksundo Lake. We also walk on the path where the Eric valley has shot his dream project movies Caravan. The trail beyond the viewpoint leads to Nangdola la pass and Upper Dolpo trek.
For the easy and relaxed day cultural excursion around Rignmo village and Shey Phoksundo lake. Above the lake, there are 900 years of Bon-Po Tshowa monastery that has a couple of Buddhist statues, and morals as well as old painting. Also series of red and white painted Buddhist stupa with flapping praying flags seen along the lake. We also see the trail leading to Dho Tarap via Bagala pass.

From today heading downhill on the direction of Juphal airport, after breakfast gets the last view of the turquoise lake then walking down and catch the last glimpse of Suligad waterfall and Kanjiroba peaks. Retrace to Sumdowa then follow downstream with passing several local tea shop Jharana hotel, Rechi, Amchi hospital, and finally arrived Chheka on the bank of the river.

After breakfast our trail descends along the Phoksundo Khola, the trail has often taken into the village, forest, cultivate the farm, also walking on the middle of the cliff right above the river. The valley also has full of the hemp plant. The Phoksundo River joint with Thulo Bheri River at Suligad then climb up on the village and crop field to the Juphal airstrip. Also possible to hire a jeep from Suligad to Juphal airport. Juphal village and airport porched above the valley and offer a good view of the diverse landscapes.

After breakfast short walk to Juphal airport for Nepalgunj flight, a 35-minute flight offers Ariel Mountain view. After arriving Nepalgunj we follow a 60-minute spectacular flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival Kathmandu transfer to your hotel. Have an enjoyable time yourself before meeting for fare-well dinner at an authentic Nepalese restaurant.

Today is your last day in Nepal, you will be transferred to Tribhuvan international airport 4 hours before your scheduled flight. We hope you had a great time with us in Nepal that memories lifetime. We hoping to host another trip for you in the future. Our airport representative comes to receive you at your hotel then transfer to the airport.