Rara Lake 

Rara Lake is the largest of Nepal. It is the first fresh water lake of Nepal. This lake is the most famous lake in Nepal. This lake lies on the Mugu district of Nepal's Karnali region. Similarly, rara lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains and green forests and other natural beauties. The lake Lies on 2,972 meters above sea level. The river named Nijar Khola connects the lake to the Mugu Karnali River which from this lake.

Moreover, the lake can be reached after a three-hour walk west from the district headquarters Gamgadhi. However, lake covers an area of 10.8 square kilometers and has a maximum length of 5 kilometers, a maximum width of 3.2 kilometers, and a depth of 167 meters. Rara Lake is covered in snow during the winters, and from the end of May to the first week of July, it is covered in beautiful flowers.

From rara lake peaks such as Chuchemara Takura (4,090m) at the south, Rum Kandh (6,732m) at the north, and Malika Kandh (3,445m) at the east are visible. However, lake is well-known for its Snow trout fish variety and is also a popular pilgrimage site for Nepalis. Lake changes its color four or five times per day depending on tehe climate. Sometimes it's blue, sometimes it's purple, sometimes it's Cymric, and sometimes it's Gray which looks adorable. 

1. History: 

Rara Lake is well-known for its association with the late King Mahendra. In 2020 B.S., he is said to have visited this lake by walking all the way from Jumla. He continues by taking in all the local attractions. He dedicated many poems to Rara Lake after being captivated by its beauty. As a result, only after his visit did this lake become well-known throughout the world. Then, in the year 2032, this area was designated as a wetland area by establishing a park (Rara National Park). Similarly, the two villages of Chapra and Rara on the banks of Rara Lake were resettled in Nepalganj at the time.

Durga Bhanjan Gulma of the Nepal Army began to look after the national park about three years after it was established. Because this lake is associated with King Mahendra, it is also known as Mahendra Lake. It is also said that King Mahendra named this lake 'Apsara' after falling in love with it.

2. Tourist destination and special attraction in Rara Lake

• Bird Exploration

• Rara National Park

• Murmatap

• Trekking

• Boat ride in Lake

• Hike to Murma viewpoint

• Horse ride

1.  Bird Exploration : Rara Lake is teeming with migratory birds. Birds from all over Europe, Siberia, Tibet, and India are flocking to Lake Rara to cool off, and Rara now has over 300 bird species. Twenty of the 49 bird species that visit Rara still enjoy the waters of Rara, while more than 300 bird species are found only in Rara National Park. Tourist activities in Rara have increased as a result of the arrival of foreign birds. Every year, birds migrate from various European and Asian countries to avoid the winter.
2. Rara National Park : Rara National Park, which was officially established in 1976, offers               visitors a beautiful view surrounded by alpine vegetation, as well as a diverse collection of flora and fauna. Twenty distinct mammal species and 214 bird species are among the more than 500 different types of flora and fauna that may be found in the park. Numerous wildlife species, including the critically endangered red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, Himalayan tahr, Yellow-throated martin, wild dog, wild boar, common langur, rhesus macaque, and common otter, are supported by the park's diverse vegetation. The park is teeming with different bird species in the winter, including coots, great-crested grebes, black-necked grebes, red-crested pochards, mallards, common teal, mergansers, and gulls. During specific seasons, migrant ducks and gallinaceous birds can also be sighted.
3. Murmatap: Murmatap, the best viewpoint, is close to Rara Lake and is located at an elevation of more than 3200 meters above sea level. From this vantage point, one can see the bowl-shaped Rara Lake, which is the largest lake in Nepal. Murmatap has drawn a lot of internal and foreign tourists because it is a convenient location to visit more than a dozen districts in the far western and mid-western zones. It is a part of the district's Chhayanat Rara Municipality's Murma village in Bada No. 9 of that same number. Rhododendrons and other flowers, as well as birds such the Chirkaliz, Danphe, and Chakhura, can be seen in this area.
4. Trekking: Located northwest part of Nepal, the Rara region is also famous for ‘trekking‘ and is also home to the country’s smallest National Park. One of the most stunning treks that leads to Rara Lake in Nepal is Rara Lake Trekking. Numerous tourists from throughout the world come to the lake each year in large numbers. . Because of the Rara National Park and the lovely green hills that surround it, it is a fantastic trekking location. The beauty of Rara Lake is also enhanced by the vista of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Delight in the picturesque surroundings and the view of the API Shripal and Dolpo peaks in the distance, explore lovely woodlands of rhododendron, birch, and pine and get a taste of Jumla district's real culture and way of life are the highlights of the trekking in Rara. Beginners and intermediate hikers can easily accomplish this journey with a basic degree of fitness. With a small day pack, you might be able to hike for four to six hours in steep terrain. Therefore, prior trekking or technical knowledge is not necessary for this hike.
5. Boat ride in Lake: No motorboats are allowed here; paddle boats are the only option, and a dawn trip is like gliding along with a mirror. For everybody who enjoys nature, now is the greatest moment.
6. Hike to Murma view-point: Take a hike to Murma Viewpoint, where you may get a comprehensive view of the lake, the neighborhood, and the distant mountain ranges. There are a few communities near the lake, but none are right on the water's edge.
7. Horse ride: Horse ride:ng a horse with the locals; saddles are given, as are guides if you require them. A beautiful trail circles the lake the entire way. and if you want to travel a little quicker, there are vast fields distant from the lake.

3. How to get Rara?

• By flight :  Only flights from Nepalgunj Airport connect to Jumla. Air travel from Nepalgunj to Talcha (Mugu) is the most popular and convenient option because it saves time and provides comfort to travel rara lake. One can travel to Rara after arriving at Talcha Airport.

• By roadways:  Drive to Kalikot through Surket and Dailekh in the early morning. You can spend the night at Kalikot after arriving there. Drive to Rara in the early morning, stopping at Jumla and Mugu along the way. The following day, you are welcome to visit Haven of World Rara. Driving is not permitted inside the park, so regardless of your mode of transportation, you will need to walk for at least two to three hours.

4. Best time to visit Rara

When summertime rolls along, the weather in Rara National Park is lovely and warm (April to June). during the monsoon season, which makes it tough and challenging to visit (June to August). Rara Lake is best visited in the fall (September, October, and November) and in the spring (March, April, and May) because of the blooming flowers throughout certain times of year, the landscapes around the lake become bright.

5. Life in Rara

The majority of residents in and around Rara work in agriculture, while some also raise goats and sell medical plants. There is a Thakur Baba shrine in the southeast corner of Rara Lake, and Thakur civilization predominates in the area. The Thakur Baba, according to the locals, protected the area by launching an arrow to open the lake's route, lessening the likelihood of floods.