Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (RARA)

RARA National Park (106 sq km)

Rara National Park in the far northwestern part of the country offers a representative sample of the region’s flora and fauna. Sprawled over Mugu and Jumla districts the heart of the park is the country‘s biggest lake, Lake Rara, from where the park gets its name. The lake is as deep as 167m at some places, and drains into the River Mugu Karnali via Nijar Khola. The park is mainly covered with coniferous forest while the area around the lake is dominated by blue pine. Rhododendron, juniper, spruce, oak and cypress are found around 3,000m while at higher altitude pine, spruce and fir are more common. The rich vegetation of the park is a home to the endangered red panda, musk deer, himalayan black bear, leapord, lackal, Himalayan tahr, wild yellow-throated martin, wild dog, wild boar, common langur, rhesus macaque and common otter. During winter the park abounds in 272 species of bird varieties like coots, great-crested grebe, black-necked grebe, red crested pochard, mallard, common teak, merganser and gulls. Migrant water fowls and gallinaceous birds can also be seen during certain seasons. As for water life in the lake three species of snow trout is recorded so far.

Activities: Trekking
Accommodation: Camping
Access: Fly to Jumla from KTM via Nepalgunj and Then a 3 days walk, or by bus from Nepalgunj to surkhet (114 km) and then a week’s walk
Best Season: Feb- Apr and Oct-Nov
Park Headquater: Hutu

Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (Langtang)

Langtang National Park (1,710 sq km)

The park extends over parts of Nuwakot , Rasuwa and Sindhupalchok districts in the mountainous terrain of Nepal-China (Tibet) border.

The chief attraction of this park is the Langtang range in the north and several lakes in the south. High-altitude jungles with diverse vegetation and wildlife, scenic lakes, glaciers and Himalayan peaks combine to make Langtang an attractive destination for visitors. Twenty five percent of the park's total area is covered by forest, starting at sub-tropicalforests below 1,000 m giving way to alpine scrubs and grasslands toward higher altitude. Animals seen here are wild dog, red panda, pika, muntjac, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan tahr, ghoral, serow, rhesus monkey, common langur, snow leopard and others.Out of 373 species of birds commonly seen here are tragopan and impeyan pheasants. The Langtang Valley is also renowned for its holy Lake Gosainkunda. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit the lake area every year, especially during the Janai Purnima festival every August.

Activities: Trekking, Mountaineering, Experience of Tamang culture
Accomodation: Lodges, Camping

Access: From Dhunche which is 117 km by road from Kathmandu

Best Season: Oct-Nov and Mar-May (cold at higher elevation); Jun-Sep(Mansoon); Dec-Feb(Snow)

Pak Headquarter: Dhunche