Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu.
You will be greeted at the airport by a representative from Outdoor Expeditions and transported to your hotel. Unwind from your flight and meet us in the evening for a welcome dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant.
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing and trip preparations.
Relax for the afternoon and enjoy a guided tour of Kathmandu’s unique attractions. We’ll spend the day exploring several of the city’s most famous cultural landmarks like the sacred Hindu pilgrimage site Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bhagamati, Swayambunath (Monkey Temple), and Bouddhanath, Nepal’s largest and most revered Buddhist stupa. In the evening we’ll meet with your trekking guide and team members for a trip briefing and preparations for the journey.
Day 3: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj 150m/490ft: 1 hour flight
An hour’s flight from Kathmandu will take us to Nepalgunj, an interesting town on in Western Nepal bordering the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Explore the mixture of Hindu and Muslim cultures that influence the town and visit Bageswory temple or the Muslim Bazaar. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 4: Fly from Nepalgunj to Jumla 2370m/7775ft and trek to Chala Chaur 2900m/9514ft: 35 minute flight and 5 hours walk
A 35 minute flight from Nepalgunj will take us to Jumla, gateway town to the Dolpo Region. From here, we depart toward the Jumla valley, passing through Micha Village, where a collection of Buddhist stupas from the 15th century is housed within a walled enclosure.
Day 5: Trek from Chala Chaur to Sinja 2440m/8005ft: 6 – 7 hours walk
We follow the Jaljala Khola across terraced fields and pine forests. We will encounter a 300 year old Hindu temple while passing through Kanaksundari. The trail to Sinja is marked with numerous stones etched with writing dating back to the Malla dynasty, as Sinja was the historical capital of the Malla Kings. We arrive at Sinja, situated on a plain on the west bank of the Sinja Khola.
Day 6: Trek from Sinja to Botan 2600m/8530ft: 5 – 6 hours walk
An easy walk today takes us along the Sinja Khola, traversing a beautiful gorge to emerge into a landscape of lush forests and meadows. The peaks of the Kanjiroba Himal dominate the skyline as we ascend a gentle slope to Botan.
Day 7: Trek from Botan to the Gorosingha 3120m/10236ft: 5 – 6 hours walk
Departing Botan, we follow the Ghatta Khola along a stunningly beautiful wide valley dotted with farmhouses and terraced fields. Passing a police checkpoint and several flour mills we reach the entrance to Rara Lake National Park. The wild beauty inside the park is unparalleled as we pass along pristine trails to our overnight stop in Gorosingha.
Day 8: Trek from Gorosingha to Rara Lake 3062m/10045ft: 5 – 6 hours walk
Ascend the Ghurchi Mara ridge from Gorosingha, we encounter an amazing panoramic view of the park. The azure waters of Rara Lake glisten on the northern horizon as we descend through verdant trails of birch and bamboo. Crossing the Khatyar Khola, we travel upstream to arrive before sunset at the banks of Rara Lake.
Days 9 and 10: Explore Rara Lake 2980m/9776ft
Spend the next two days exploring the heavenly shores of Rara, Nepal’s largest lake. A 13 kilometer circumambulation of the lake is a truly a walk through one of the world’s most precious wild regions, with chances to spot species like the Himalayan tahr, musk deer, gorals, red pandas, and even rhesus and langor monkeys. Take a swim in the lake for an amazingly refreshing experience, or visited the deserted villages of Rara and Chapra on the lake’s isolated northern shore.
Day 11: Trek from Rara Lake to Jhyari 2630m/8628ft: 7 – 8 hours walk
We follow the northern outskirts of the park to a ridge over which we descend to Jhyari village. Following the Jhyari Khola, we travel through meadows and farmlands, heading south into the Dhauligar Khola valley. We follow a meandering trail through spectacular wilderness until dawn, and camp near the river’s edge, its surging waters serving us a sweet lullaby as the stars emerge from a fathomless sky.
Day 12: Trek from Jhyari across Ghurchi Lagna pass 3450m/11614ft to Chautha 2770m/9087ft: 7 – 8 hours walk
Heading south through a police post at Pina village, we climb a chorten-lined slope to Ghurchi Lagna pass. We cross an expanse of pasture and groves of walnut, descending gently into a narrow valley and then steeply to the village of Chautha.
Day 13: Trek from Chautha to Tharamara 3280m/10761ft: 7 – 8 hours walk
We walk south today along the northern edge of the Sinja Khola, passing a number of interesting villages on the way. Danphe Peak emerges over the horizon as we cross an expansive meadow en route to Tharamara.
Day 14: Trek from Tharamara to Jumla 2370m/7775ft: 7 – 8 hours
Following a gentle uphill slope to Khali Lagna, we ascend to a ridge from where Jumla can be spotted in the valley below us beneath a horizon of rugged peaks. The scenery is excellent upon our gradual descent, culminating in a challenging stretch before our final stop in Jumla. Spend the evening relaxing in one of Jumla’s restaurants and enjoy a hot shower.
Day 15: Fly from Jumla to Nepalgunj and to Kathmandu: 1.5 hours flight
We’ll board the plane for Nepalgunj after breakfast and take the next available flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu. Arrive in Kathmandu in the afternoon and be transported to your hotel. Enjoy your last evening in Thamel reminiscing after a spectacular trip.
Day 16: Depart Kathmandu
Take care of any last minute shopping or sightseeing as time permits. You’ll be picked up at your hotel three hours prior to your departure flight. Thanks for traveling with Outdoor Expeditions. Farewell and Namaste.
