10-RARA NATIONAL PARK

The little Rara National Park in the for northwestern part of the countru offers a representative sample of he region's flora and fauna. Sprawled over Mugu and Jumla district 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 167 meters at some places, and drains into the River Mugu Karnali via Nijar Khola. The park is mainly covered and with coniferous forest while the area around the lake is dominated by blue pine. rhododendron, juniper, spruce, oak and cypress and found around 3,000 meters while at higher altitude pine, spruce and fir are more common.

The rich vegetation of he park is a home to the endangered red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, Himalayan Thar, wild yellow-throated martin, wild dog, wild boar, common langur, rhesus macaque and common other. During winter the park abounds in bird varieties like coots, great-crested grebe, b lack-necked grebe,red crested pochard, mallard, common teal, marganser and gulls. Migrant water flows and gallinaceous birds can also be seen during certain seasons. As for water life in the lake, the snow trust is the only fish recorded so far.


The best time to visit to the park is autumn, spring and summer. The best way to reach Rara National Park is from Jumla in Jumla district connected to the capital by air. From Jumla the park is a tow-and-half days trek away. Another option is via Surkhet which is connected to the capital by air and road. From here one can drive up to Dilekh and then trek onward.