Rara National Park is situated about 370 km. north-west of Kathmandu. It is the smallest national park in Nepal. The park hosts the country’s biggest lake - the Rara Lake. The park is successful to protect a representative sample of flora and fauna of the Humla-Jumla region in the far-west Nepal. It spraws in an area of 106 square kilometers, most of the park lies in Mugu districts with a small portion in Jumla Districts in Karnali Zone. The national park is 371 kilometers to the west from Kathmandu.
The park is covered with coniferous forest; the park’s area around the lake is dominated by blue pine up to 3, 200 meters. Rhododendron, black, juniper, west Himalayan spruce, oak, and Himalayan cypresses are other species found in the area. Many common and endangered animal species are found in the park, like: red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, Himalayan tahr, wild yellow-throated marten, wild dog, wild boar, common langur, rhesus macaque, etc.
Summer in the park is pleasant while winter is very cold with heavy snowfall. The best time to visit this park is between October and December or March to May. Even October onward, winter continues to be severe with occurrances of ground frost.
Entry Fee Per Person Per Entry:
For Nepalese Nationals, Free
For SAARC Nationals, Rs. 100/-
For Other Nationals, Rs. 1,000/-
Access:
By flying to Jumla or Kolti from Kathmandu via Nepalgunj is the easiest way to visit Rara National Park. The alternative route is to take a bus from Nepalgunj to Surkhet, from where it is a weeks' hike to the park.
Note:
Entrance fee not required for children under 10 years.
Park Entrance fees are regulated by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (Phone: 4220850).
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