15 Day Trip
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SIMIKOT TO RARA LAKE TREK

A unique opportunity to explore western Nepal

  • Duration 15 Days
  • Difficulty Level Low
  • Includes Equipment, Drinks, Accommodations, Food

Trip Introduction

A rare discovery of western Nepal: we start from Simikot, cross the region of Humla to reach Lake Rara. A unique opportunity to explore western Nepal, which has hardly been traveled. We pass through the villages of Chhetri, Brahmans and Takhuri before arriving on the shores of Nepal’s largest mountain lake. This is not a high altitude trek, but the old-fashioned way, in a tent, with a kitchen team in an unspoiled region. It is time to give some visibility to this forgotten region.

Strengths of this program:

  • A very little frequented route
  • The Nepalese Wild West
  • A preserved Nepalese culture
  • A free day at Lake Rara
  • The first step of our Great Nepal crossing
  • Highest night at 3000m
  • In a tent with a kitchen team
  • From 4 to 10 participants

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    ARRIVE KATHMANDU

  • DAY 2

    KATHMANDU - NEPALGUNJ

     About an hour’s flight with superb views of the Manaslu, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs – Nepalgunj is located in the Terai plain, not far from the Indian border.

    • Mode of transfer / transport: by private vehicle, by plane
    • Duration of transfer / transport: about 1 hour
    • Flight duration: 1 hour
    • Final altitude: about 280 m
    • Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
    • Accommodation: night in a lodge or hotel
  • DAY 4

    NEPALGUNJ - SIMIKOT

    We are happy to leave the dampness of Nepalgunj to go up the Himalayan foothills. The hills follow one another and we leave the last rice fields. A final ridge, a bend and the Simikot airfield appears. It is in the heart of the village. The flight being early in the morning, we have part of the day to walk around and discover the surroundings. There are still some formalities to complete before reaching our camp site, followed by a first hot tea.

    • Mode of transfer / transport: by private vehicle, by plane
    • Duration of transfer / transport: about 1 hour
    • Flight duration: 1 hour
    • Final altitude: approximately 2,980 m
    • Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
    • Accommodation: night in a tent
  • DAY 5

    SIMIKOT - RIVER CAMP

     The Karnali river flows at the bottom of the valley. You have to take the wide path that descends directly to Kharpunath. A bridge awaits us to cross the Chuwa khola. Then two paths open to us. We leave that of the Kharnaki to climb towards Kharpel and at the end of the day it is River Camp which welcomes us. A day between rice fields and forests in a rarely visited valley, that of Yanchu khola.

    • Number of hours of walking: about 7 hours
    • Average daily height difference: + 1,000 m / – 1,000 m
    • Final altitude: approx. 3,015 m
    • Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
    • Accommodation: night in a tent
  • DAY 6

    RIVER CAMP - PUNKHA KHOLA

    There are still 1000 meters to climb to reach our first pass, that of Margor lek. The forest becomes less dense before diving towards Pukha khola, our next camp. Depending on the season, this trail is regularly walked, allowing us to meet these villagers from the Far West of Nepal.

    • Number of hours of walking: about 6 hours
    • Difference in height: + 1,100 m / – 100 m
    • Final altitude: approx. 3,010 m
    • Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner

    Accommodation: night in a tent

  • JOUR 7

    PUNKHA KHOLA - APSIA LEK

    A short day to reach Apsia lek, but we will have to make a choice on the route. By Rodikot or by the heights and Tach. In the two camps, always this environment of cultures. The villages have kept the discreet charm of these regions out of tourism. Aspia lek allows you to have a beautiful view of some surrounding mountains: Chankeli Himal, Saipal Himal, Darma Himal, and BuhariHimal….

    • Number of hours of walking: about 6 hours
    • Difference in height: + 400 m / – 200 m
    • Final altitude: approximately 3,195 m
    • Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
    • Accommodation: night in a tent
  • DAY 8

    APSIA LEK - PIPLAN

    It is better to take the option via Chargaon, a small village in a small valley. The espalier crops are numerous and the villagers will certainly be very surprised to meet us. It’s time to take a moment to discuss and discover an ancestral way of life. Small hamlets line the descent that will take us to Piplan, our stop for tonight. A beautiful camp on one of the rare flat areas in the region…

    • Number of hours of walking: about 5 hours
    • Difference in height: + 200 m / – 1,650 m
    • Final altitude: around 1,700 m
    • Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
    • Accommodation: night in a tent
  • DAY 9

    PIPLAN - JOGIMARA

    We leave Karnali to take a southern axis. From village to village, there are many climbs to reach our camp at the foot of the Chankeli pass. The torrents are numerous and active in this season. Fortunately, this is a priority route to go to Gamghadi market in two days.

    • Number of hours of walking: about 6 hours
    • Difference in height: + 1,400 m / – 200 m
    • Final altitude: about 3,005 m
    • Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
    • Accommodation: night in a tent
  • DAY 10

    JOGIMARA - BAM

    The village of Bam is not that far, but we cannot continue with the climb to Gamghadi. This a fairly short day after crossing the Chankeli passes. The villages are more numerous and multiple ridges to be able to reach Bam.

    • Number of hours of walking: about 6 hours
    • Average daily difference in height: + 850 m / – 950 m
    • Final altitude: around 2,700 m
    • Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
    • Accommodation: night in a tent
  • DAY 11

    BAM - GAMGADHI

    Gamghadi seems so close, but you have to cross two beautiful ridges to reach the Mugu Karnali. Luma can be a stopover before tackling the climb that will propel us towards Gamghadi. If the sun is at the zenith, the climb will seem steep, very steep. Fortunately we discover this village / street / market. The population seems dense in this small town at the end of the world.

    • Number of hours of walking: about 4 hours
    • Average daily difference in height: + 200 m / – 800 m
    • Final altitude: approx. 2,095 m
    • Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
    • Accommodation: night in a tent
  • DAY 12

    VISIT LAKE RARA

    This day can serve as a safety day, but it is more interesting to take the opportunity to go and explore Lake Rara. Depending on the schedule we can go to Chhapri. You still have to go up 1,000 meters to reach this lake. Rara Lake is the largest lake in Nepal and belongs to the eponymous national park. At its western end we have a view of the mountains of the Tibetan border … Lake Rara is surrounded by magnificent coniferous forests. Its blue waters are home to the snow trout, the only fish present in the lake, but not so easy to observe…

    • Number of hours of walking: about 6 hours
    • Difference in height: + 1,000 m / – 1,000 m
    • Final altitude: approx. 2,095 m
    • Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
    • Accommodation: night in a tent
  • DAY 13

    FLIGHT TALCHA - NEPALGUNJ - KATHMANDU

    Direction Talcha for a flight to Nepalgunj then Kathmandu.

    • Mode of transfer / transport: by private vehicle, by plane
    • Duration of transfer / transport: about 1 hour
    • Flight duration: 1 hour
    • Meals: breakfast – lunch – free dinner (not included)
    • Accommodation: overnight at the hotel
  • DAY 14

    KATHMANDU

    Safety day that can be used during the trekking or free day in Kathmandu.

    • Meals: breakfast – free lunch (not included) – free dinner (not included)
    • Accommodation: overnight at the hotel
  • DAY 15

    DEPARTURE

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