Simikot Rara Lake Trek
(Listed on Steve Razetti’s Top 10 treks in the world.)
Highest point: 4300m
Trail grade: Strenuous
Total duration:
This
trek follows through the Southern Humla with incredible views of
foothills, hills, mountains, lush forests to arid lands. The trail
leads along the Karnali River, the longest river of Nepal touching
various village settlements of ethnicities like Khasas, Thakuris,
Brahmins, Byansis and occupational castes. It ends at Rara Lake, the
biggest lake in Nepal which lies in the Rara National Park. The area is
a home for hundreds of species of trees, plants, birds and animals.
This trek can also be done in reverse starting from Mugu or Jumla
upwards. The alpine meadows and forests blended with the Khasa culture
and village settings provide a unique experience of southern Humla
where the Rara Lake adds spice making your trip memorable forever.
There
is no direct air service from Kathmandu to Simikot, so travelers
generally have to fly Simikot via Nepalgunj, the regional hub of
Western Nepal. Nepalgunj-Simikot flight operates early in the morning,
so we must stay a night in Nepalgunj to catch early morning flight the
next day.
Itinerary:
| Day
1 |
Arrival Kathmandu |
| Day
2 |
A full day sightseeing within the Kathmandu valley |
| Day
3 |
Fly to Nepalgunj, (200m) |
| Day
4 |
Fly to Simikot, (2950m) |
| Day 5 |
Simikot to Gagru, (2650m) |
| Day 6 |
Gagru to Gatya Khola, (2800m) |
| Day 7 |
Gatya Khola to Pangkha, (2800m)(Via Margo La pass, 4300m) |
| Day 8 |
Pangkha to Puma Lekh, (2800m) |
| Day 9 |
Puma Lekh to Melchham (2800m) |
| Day 10 |
Melchham to Darma, (2550m) |
| Day 11 |
Darma to Changkheli (3800m) |
| Day 12 |
Changkheli to Banwa (2500m) |
| Day 13 |
Banwa to Rara, (2980m) |
| Day 14 |
Explore Rara Lake |
| Day 15 |
Rara Lake to Talcha Airport, (2800m) |
| Day 16 |
Fly to Nepalgunj and to Kathmandu. |
| Day 17 |
Departure
|