Getting around · Nepal
Karnali Highway to Jumla
Surkhet to Jumla on Nepal's roughest highway — a remote far-western mountain drive and the overland gateway to Rara Lake.
The Karnali Highway is Nepal's most remote and demanding major road, climbing roughly 230km from Surkhet (Birendranagar) in the western Terai north into the mountains to Jumla in Karnali Province. Much of it is unpaved, steep and slow, and it is the adventurous overland gateway to Rara Lake, the largest lake in Nepal. Reckon on twelve hours to two days depending on road conditions.
The route
From Surkhet the highway leaves the plains and winds up into the hills, following the deep gorges of the Karnali and its tributaries north through Kalikot district to Jumla, a high valley town at around 2,500m. From Jumla, rough roads and trails continue toward the Rara Lake area in Mugu.
What makes it special
- Some of the wildest, emptiest scenery in Nepal, through deep Karnali river gorges and terraced hill country.
- The high pine-and-apple country around Jumla, famous for its red rice and orchards.
- The overland approach to Rara Lake and Rara National Park, Nepal's largest lake.
- A genuine far-western adventure on a road very few travellers attempt.
Driving the Karnali Highway
This is a rough, high mountain road with long unpaved stretches, landslide zones and steep drop-offs. It is best avoided in the monsoon, when sections regularly wash out. Most travellers take local shared jeeps with experienced drivers rather than self-driving, and carry food, water and warm clothing. Build in spare days for weather and breakdowns.
Driving or flying
Many visitors fly to Jumla from Nepalgunj or Surkhet to save time and risk, then explore on foot. But for the prepared and unhurried, the overland drive is the adventure — Nepal's last great wild highway. From Jumla, the classic onward goal is the trek or rough road to Rara Lake.
Make it a road trip
The Karnali Highway is the far-western bookend to Nepal's great drives, a world away from the gentle Siddhartha Highway road trip or the fast BP Highway road trip. Compare overland and air options to the region in the Kathmandu to Rara guide.
Browse every drive in the scenic road trips of Nepal collection, and plan jeeps, flights and timings with getting around Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Karnali Highway go?+
The Karnali Highway runs roughly 230km from Surkhet (Birendranagar) in the western Terai north into the mountains to Jumla in Karnali Province. It is Nepal's most remote major highway and a key overland route toward Rara Lake and the high far-western districts.
How long does the Karnali Highway take to drive?+
The drive from Surkhet to Jumla can take anywhere from twelve hours to two days depending on the road's condition, because much of it is unpaved, steep and slow. Local jeeps run the route, and the journey is far longer than the distance suggests, especially in poor weather.
Is the Karnali Highway safe to drive?+
It is a rough, high mountain road with unpaved sections, landslide zones and steep drop-offs, and it is best avoided in the monsoon. Most travellers take local shared jeeps with experienced drivers rather than driving themselves. Many visitors instead fly to Jumla to save time and risk.
Why drive the Karnali Highway to Jumla?+
It is the adventurous overland way into Nepal's emptiest, wildest region and the gateway to Rara Lake, the largest lake in the country. The scenery of deep Karnali gorges, terraced hills and high pine country is spectacular, and the drive is an experience few travellers attempt.
