Rara Lake
The Largest Lake In Nepal, Inside Rara National Park In The Remote Far West · Mugu, Karnali
Rara is the largest lake in Nepal, a deep, clear blue lake at about 2,990 metres in the remote northwest, ringed by pine, spruce and juniper forest with snow peaks beyond, and it is often called the most beautiful lake in the country. It lies at the heart of Rara National Park in Karnali, the poorest and least developed province of Nepal, and reaching it is the adventure: a flight to the small airstrip at Talcha and a walk, or a long, rough road journey of days via Surkhet or Jumla. That remoteness keeps visitor numbers low and the lake remarkably unspoiled, though domestic tourism has grown fast since roads arrived. The water changes colour through the day from turquoise to deep blue, and a walking trail circles the whole shore in a day through the forest, with red pandas and musk deer in the park. There are a few lodges near the lake and camping. Rara gives Karnali Province its first row, and for Nepalis it is a bucket-list lake. Flights are small and weather dependent.
Rara National Park, Mugu District, Mugu, Karnali, Nepal
The lake can be visited most of the year; winter brings snow and cold, and the monsoon makes roads difficult. A national park permit is required for foreigners. Access is by small plane to Talcha, weather permitting, then a short walk, or by long road journeys.