Rara National Park – Information, Activities and Entry Fees

Photo on flickr: songsalways

Rara National Park in the far northwestern part of the country offers a representative sample of the region’s flora and fauna. Sprawled over Mugu and Jumla districts the heart of the park is the country’s biggest lake, Lake Rara from where the park gets its name. The lake is as deep as 167m at some places, and drains into the River Mugu Karnali via Nijar Khola. The park is mainly covered with coniferous forest while the area around the lake is dominated by blue pine. Rhododendron, juniper, spruce, oak and cypress are found around 3,000m while at higher altitude pine, spruce and fir are more common. The rich vegetation of the park is home to the endangered red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, Himalayan tahr, wild yellow-throated martin, wild dog, wild boar, common langur, rhesus macaque and common otter. During winter the park abounds in 22 species of bird varieties like coots, great-crested pochard, mallard, common teal, merganserand gulls. Migrant water fowls and gallinaceous birds can also be seen during certain seasons. As for water life in the lake three species of snow trout is recorded so far.

Activities: Trekking

Accommodation: Camping

Access: Fly from Kathmandu – Nepalgunj (60mins); Nepalgunj-Talcha Airport (35 mins), then 2hours to Rara lake

Best season: Feb- Apr and Oct-Nov

Entry Fees in Nepali Rupees:
• Nepali:  free
• SAARC:  100 per person per entry
• Foreigners:  1000 per person per entry

Park Headquarter:

Hutu

Source: Nepal Tourism Board