Things to do · Rara
The Best Things to Do in Rara
Boating, the Murma Top and Chuchemara viewpoints and pristine pine forest — the best things to do at Rara Lake.
Rara rewards travellers who slow right down. Nepal's most remote major sight sits around a single, spectacular lake, so the best things to do here are about water, forest and viewpoints rather than a long checklist. Here is how to make the most of a stay at Nepal's largest lake.
The short answer
Build your trip around Rara Lake itself — drift across it on a rowing boat in a session of boating on Rara, then walk the forested shore loop. Set aside a morning for the climb to Murma Top on the northern ridge and, if you have the legs, the higher Chuchemara Danda to the south, the highest point in the park. Throughout, you are inside Rara National Park, so keep an eye on the pine forest for wildlife.
Tap any spot below for what to expect, how to reach it and when to go. While you plan, it is worth reading our round-up of the best lakes in Nepal to see where Rara fits, and Nepal's national parks and wildlife for the bigger picture.
On the water and the shore
The lake is the star, and the two best ways to experience it directly are boating on Rara Lake and walking the roughly 13km shore loop. The boat trip — short, peaceful and human-powered — gives you the scale of Nepal's largest lake from its centre, while the loop walk reaches quiet meadows and viewpoints away from the main camp. Together they make an easy, rewarding day at lake level, ideal for your first day while you acclimatise.
The viewpoints
For the big panoramas, climb to Murma Top on a clear morning — a gentle half-day hike to a grassy ridge above the northern shore, and the finest spot for sunrise and photography. With more energy and a day to spare, tackle Chuchemara Danda on the southern side, the highest point in Rara National Park at 4,087m, for the grandest overview of the lake and the far-western ridgelines beyond.
Wildlife and forest
Throughout your stay you are inside pristine pine, spruce and juniper forest that shelters rare Himalayan wildlife. Sightings of red panda and Himalayan musk deer are a matter of luck, but quiet early walks and birdwatching reward patience. Slowing down and spending time in the forest is itself one of the best things to do at Rara.
Good to know
- Guides and fees: A national park entry fee applies, and a local guide is easy to arrange in Gamgadhi or at the lake — see how to get to Rara.
- Season: Autumn and spring give the clearest skies and most reliable flights; check the best time to visit Rara before booking.
- Altitude: The lake sits near 3,000m and the viewpoints higher still, so walk at a steady pace and allow time to acclimatise.
Sights & attractions
Trekking & treks
Boating
Wildlife & nature
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do at Rara?+
The headline experiences are boating on Rara Lake, hiking to the Murma Top and Chuchemara Danda viewpoints for panoramas over the water, walking the forested lakeshore loop, and watching for wildlife in Rara National Park.
Can you walk around Rara Lake?+
Yes. A walking trail loops the entire shore of Rara Lake, roughly a half-day on easy gradient through pine forest and meadow. It is the classic way to take in the lake from every angle and reach quieter, less-visited stretches.
Is boating allowed on Rara Lake?+
Yes, there is small-scale rowing-boat hire on the lake. Rowing out is the best way to grasp the scale of Nepal's largest lake and the ring of forest and ridges around it. Facilities are basic, so arrange a boat locally on arrival.
How many days do you need to do the main things at Rara?+
Three to four days at the lake lets you fit a boat trip, the shore loop and both main viewpoints without rushing. Add buffer days for weather-dependent flights and, if you are trekking, several more days each way.
