Rara National Park
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 167 m 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 3000 m while at higher altitude pine, spruce and fir are more common. The rich vegetation of the park is a 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 272 species of bird varieties like coots, great-crested grebe, black-necked grebe, red 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(60 mins);Nepalgunj-Talcha Airport(35 mins), then 2 hours trek to Rara lake
Best Season: Feb-Apr and Oct-Nov