Overview

Situated about 370 km. north-west of Kathmandu, Rara is the smallest and most scenic national park covers 106 square km. of Nepal. Most of the park is at an altitude of about 3,000 meters forested by conifers. The park was established in 1976 and protects some of the most beautiful alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems of the Himalaya. The centerpiece is the pristine Lake Rara, also Known as Mahendra Tal, the biggest lake in Nepal. The lake is surrounded by richly forested hills, Chuchemara Danda at 4,087 meters is the best vantage point to get stunning views of the lake and the thickly forested hillsides and the snow-capped peaks around it.
Rara comes within the catchment area of the Karnali River, one of the three main river systems of Nepal. The habitat supports animals like the red panda, black bear, yellow-throated martin, ghoral, serow and musk deer. There have also been reported sightings of leopard and wolf. The lake attracts migrant wildfowl like teals, pochards and mallards. Resident birds include the Impeyan, kalij and blood pheasant as well as others like the chukkor partridge.
Rara area is covered with coniferous forest filled with Rhododendron, black juniper, west Himalayan spruce, oak and Himalayan cypress. During a Rara jungle Safari you will encounter with the endangered animals. You will enjoy the scene of migrant birds including water fowl, Gallinaceous birds, Coots, great-crested grebe, black-necked grebe, red-crested pochard, mallard, common teal, merganser and gulls. The animals inhabiting this region are red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, Himalayan Thar, wild yellow-throated marten, wild dog, wild boar, common langur, rhesus macaque and many others.
One of the best ways to overlook the flora and fauna is by walking deep into the jungle through fine grassland and typical villages where you can find unique religions and cultures, as well as abundant wild life. The Rara trek is also famous for bird watching in Nepal.