Trek to Rara

Meet our Sherpa trekking crew and trek to CharyaChaur. 9,840 feet. 2 to 3 hours of trekking. Camp. Upon arrival into the frontier town of Jumla we meet our porters and, after preparing the loads, head off on a short walk to our campsite at CharyaChaur. Our first night under canvas will be spent in a lovely meadow amongst a beautiful pine forest with stunning views south across the TilaKhola (river).  

Today we must ascend the steep trail up to and cross over the DanphyaLagna Pass at 11,810 feet. It is a 2 hours continual climb from camp before we descend off the pass to our campsite called Lah Gad Camp below the village of Bumri (8,200 feet).  

Weaving our way on faint trails through wilderness of dense forest, idyllic meadows and hanging valleys, we will be glad not to be in any rush. This isolated region of northwestern Nepal is simply magical. We now head almost due north into the Chautha Valley and find another wonderful campsite surrounded by shady pines.    

 From Chautha we continue north passing through the village of Bulbhule. The main trail descends north to Pina Village and the MuguKarnali. We now turn west (follow the wooden sign pointing out the ‘Way to Rara’) and walk through a true wonderland of pristine forested hillside to the cluster of flatroofed dwellings that is Jhari Village. 

  This morning we ascend to a delightful open ridge that eventually drops us onto the southern shore of the jewel-like Rara Lake. It will take about 2 hours to walk around to the Park Headquarters and camping spots on the lake’s north side. 

Once at Rara we will be reluctant to leave. This place has a rare peace and tranquility and captivating beauty. Today is free to wander and explore the area. We will probably want to walk around the lake on a path built in 1964. Keep an eye out for the ancient temples and Chapra villages found on the north side of the lake.

North into Humla “Humla. The name resonates like a hymn. Vast and humbling, Humla echoes in whisper”. These are the opening words of Thomas Kelly and Carol Dunham’s beautiful book dedicated to this magical and remote corner of far northwestern Nepal, The Hidden Himalayas.  

 Being properly acclimatized from our hike to Rara Lake, we are now ready to continue on the trails north to Humla. Leaving Rara eastwards from the northern shore, the trail soon begins to climb a broad ridge before dropping into the valley of the MuguKarnali.

Today we begin a gradual ascent to base of the Changkheli, a high ridge that leads into the main HumlaKarnali Valley. We will camp high on the ridge to ensure a short climb tomorrow morning and provide us with an amazing sunrise over the magnificent snowy peaks of the SaipalHimal. 

Our trail emerges from dense conifer and rhododendron forest on the south side of the ridge to high alpine meadow. It’s as if the landscape has been instantly transformed. The skyline is now dominated by the bulky SaipalHimal in Humla and GurlaMandata across the border in Tibet. Beneath these seldom seen peaks lies Humla, a land of endless blue ridges, turquoise lakes, rivers snaking through deep valleys and vividly golden fields. We descend into the HumlaKarnali Valley to our campsite in the Chhetri village of Rimi. 

 The isolated settlements in this valley are primitive and poor and life for its inhabitants has changed little over the centuries. In the fields women sing heartily as they go about their laborious work and the men spin wool and tend to the livestock. Homes in this area are built from enormous timbers and cling to impossibly steep hillsides. From Rimi Village it takes four days to reach Simikot. The distances traveled are short but don’t be deceived… we will be crossing precipitous valleys on rollercoaster trails. The scenery is wild, magnificent and ever changing. 

 The next two days we will set off at dawn and follow the thundering green torrent of the HumlaKarnali River. The trail continually climbs above and then drops down to the river’s side into misty bamboo groves. 

By the time we climb up the final 1,000 feet to Simikot, there is little doubt that Humla will have worked its magic on you. The tranquility and ancient charm of this are powerful antidotes to the stresses of modern day life. 

Fly to Kathmandu from the remote airfield of Simikot and fly back to Kathmandu.  Transfer to Annapurna Hotel 

Contingency day on trek or if the Simikot flight is delayed. Hotel or lodge. Today may also be needed as cushion day in case the Simikot flight is delayed due to winds or bad weather.