Event Management/ Domestic Tourism Promotion

Rara Festival
In order to promote tourism in western region and keeping an account on the interest of tourist visiting there, we organized RARA Festival on 12-14/Oct 2001 with Grand Success.

FASCINATION OF RARA NATIONAL PARK

• The Rara National Park covers an area of 106 sq. km
• The Rara Lake (2990m), the largest lake of Nepal is the main fascinating spot of the Park. It covers a total area of 10.8 sq. km (maximum length 5 km and width 3 km) with an approximate depth of 167 m.
• The Rara National Park is home of 20 different species of mammals including musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Leopard, Jackal, Himalayan Tahr, Red Panda etc.
• It is also nest of 214 species of birds, which includes coots, snow cock, different species of pheasants, grebes, mallard, Nepal kalich etc. During winter the migratory birds really attracts the birders with ample pleasure.
• Schizothorax fish (Ashla) is the only fish species recorded in the Rara Lake.
• The Rara National Park is the home of more than 500 different kinds of flowers and herbs. The area around the Lake is dominated by the pine trees. Rhododendron, black juniper, Oak, west Himalayan spruce, Himalayan cypress, one other associated species.
• The Chuchemara Peak(4039m) which is the highest point of park has stood along with other attractive ridges like Murma top, Ruma Kand (3731m) and Malika Kand (3444m).They combinely appear as an excellent panorama of the Rara Lake and the Mugu Karnali Valley.

Highlights of the Rara Festival Special programs

• The regular show of culture programs which reflects the typical culture of Mugu district, including Deuda dance, Dhami dance, hudke dance, Panche dance, Bhoteselo, Lama dance.
• Typical dishes of local food in food festival.
• Sales and Exhibition of local products including handicrafts, herbs, hand made garments etc.
• Additional recreational activities like horse riding, fishing, boating, trekking and mini marathon around the Lake.

Special Facilities:

• Lodging and fooding at local hotels, Rilok- the triangle hotel, Anfe hotel.
• Availability of tents for camping.
• Special discount on helicopter from Surkhet/Rara lake side/Surkhet
• Besides these, local guide, porters and horses were available for trekking around.

Access to Rara Lake:

• Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Bhairahawa to Surkhet by Night bus & Rara by Helicopter.
• Kathmandu to Nepalgunj by Flight, Nepalgunj/Surkhet by jeep or bus & Rara by helicopter.
• Mahendranagar, Royal Bardiya National Park to Surkhet by jeep and Rara by helicopter.
• Three days trek from Jumla to Rara.
• Three days trek from Kolti, Bajura to Rara .

As the festival has fascinated lots of tourists, we have planned to organize the entire requirement for your visit to Rara Lake (Rara National Park). Once again! We have planned to offer you the opportunity to visit Rara Lake as well as other National Parks such as Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and Royal Bardia National Park.

Our sincere thanks goes to all the participants!!!!!!!!!!

Rara National Park at a glance
Rara National Park is located in the North Western high mountains of Nepal. The Park was gazetted in 1976 to conserve the unique beauty of lake Rara and to protect the representative flora and fauna of the Humla-Jumla region. The Park is Nepal's smallest protected area, comprising an area of 106.km. There were two villages Rara and Chhapru within the Park, when the park was established. The residents of the two villages were resettled in Bardia District, outside the park.

CLIMATE
In the period of May 15 -October 15, Rara looks most beautiful and attractive with the blossom of many beautiful flowers around the lake. Rara lake specially in sunrise, many mountains, hills, villages and some of the parts of other districts can be seen as it's garland The Rara Lake will be covered with snow during Dec-Feb which could be your best part in your travel life. Summer is pleasant. However, winter is quite cold. The best time of year to visit the park is September/October and April to May. December through March, the temperatures drops to below freezing and heavy snowfalls occur up to one meter, closing high passes.

April to June is warm but the season gives way to monsoon season-June to August.

FEATURES
Rara Lake (Mahendra Tal), situated at an elevation of 2990m is the main feature of the Park. The Lake is oval shaped with an east-west axis and has a maximum length of 5 km and a width of 3 km, surrounded by magnificent conifer forests, it is Nepal's biggest lake (10.8 sq.km) with the depth of 167m. Its radiant blue water is home to the snow trout (Schizothorax oreinus sinuatus), the only fish recorded in the Lake.

During winter, bird lovers can enjoy many migratory birds. In summer, Himalayan flowers surrounds the Lake creating a colorful landscape. The elevation of the Park ranges from 2800m to 4039m. Chuchemara peak (4039m) is the highest point in the park. Located on the Southern side of the lake, it provides an excellent backdrop to Lake Rara. The snowcapped summits of Ruma Kand(3731m) and Malika Kand(3444m) located on the northern side of the Lake, provide beautiful Mugu-Karnali River valley to the north. Murma Peak also provides an excellent view of park area. The lake drains to Mugu- Karnali River via Nijar Khola. The majority of the vegetation in the park is dominated by blue pine. Interspersed amongst the pines are found several species of rhododendrons.

Blue pine, herbs, marshlands, and tussock grassland inhabit the area surrounding the Lake. In the Nisa Khola valley pine and spruce give way to mixed woodlands containing walnuts and Himalayan popular. Rhododendron, fir, oak and birch species can be found in the sub alpine region.

The Park is the home to around 20 different species of mammals. They include Musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Leopard, Jackal, Himalayan Tahr, Yellow throated marten, Otter, Wild dog, Common langur, Rhesus macaque and Red panda.

The Park has recorded 214 species of birds. Some of the important species include coots, snow cock, different species of pheasants, grebes, mallard, common teal, red-crested pochard and gulls. During winter many migratory birds join the residential Gallinaceous birds.

FACILITIES
It is advisable to bring a comprehensive first aid kit since there is no health post in the area. Arrangements should be made through a trekking agency. There are no accommodations within the park. Trekkers must be self-sufficient in all means.

HOW TO GET THERE?
Rara National Park is 3 days trek via Jumla.