Short Rara Lake Trek & Bardia National Park Tour – 10 Days

The short Rara Lake Trek and Bardia National Park tour of 10 days is a trip fun-filled with chances to come across the magnificent gifts of nature. Pack your bags and get ready to take on this fantastic adventure and wildlife combo tour! 

Rara Lake is the most prominent and deepest freshwater lake in Nepal located at the height of 2,990 meters. Its lively surrounding offers a scenic adventure tour. The lake is protected by Rara National Park, which is home to animals like musk deer, leopard, Himalayan Thar, wild boar, including many species of wildflowers and herbal plants. Snow trout, a species of fish, is only found in Rara Lake. Wander through the pristine forests on the remote trail of western Nepal. This off-beaten trek to Rara Lake is hands down one of the most beautiful treks frequented by thousands of visitors every year. 

After enjoying an excellent trekking adventure to Rara Lake, trek back to Talcha airport to catch a flight to Nepalgunj. From Nepalgunj, you will head to another fantastic destination that is ready to surprise you. With all its magnificence and glory, the Bardia National Park welcomes you!

Home to the endangered species like the royal Bengal tiger and one-horned rhino, Bardia National Park boasts untouched wilderness in the wonderfully tranquil environments of the Terai region. As you spend time with the local Tharu communities here, you will fall in love with their culture and tradition. Enjoy the Tharu cultural program and join in the dance as you admire their traditional songs. Their unique stick dance is full of entertainment. You will head out to explore the national park on a full day jeep safari tour. As you drive deep into the lush green jungle, you will witness the rich biodiversity that Nepal is famous for. One-horned rhino, Bengal tigers, and wild elephants can occur in your sight. 

During the trek, accommodation facilities are mostly arranged in homestays. This will give you a fantastic opportunity to interact with the locals and indulge in exciting conversations. You will be provided with basic meals consisting of Dal-Bhat during the trek, whereas you will have more options in other places.

Trip Highlights 
•    Enjoy a fantastic trekking experience in the far western region of the country.
•    Picturesque view of Rara lake from Murma Top
•    Scenic flight to Nepalgunj and Talcha
•    Enjoy the jungle safari deep in the jungles of Bardia National park.
•    Spot some rare animals like tiger and one-horned rhinoceros during the jungle safari.

Service Included:

• All airport transfers 
• Welcome dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant 
• Tourist Standard Hotel in Kathmandu for 2 nights with breakfast 
• Tourist Standard Hotel in Nepalgunj for 1 night with breakfast 
• Tourist Standard Hotel in Bardia (Thakurdwara) for 2 nights
• Mountain accommodation in a local Homestay during the trek - 4 nights
• Ground transport by car
• Flights Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu
• Flights Nepalgunj-Talcha-Nepalgunj
• All airport taxes 
• All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (National Park permit and TIMS)
• An experienced English-speaking Govt. registered trekking guide and required local porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter) during the trek
• An experienced English-speaking Govt. registered Jungle guide for the safari tour
• Full meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) followed by a cup of Tea/Coffee during the trek  
• Full board meal during the safari trip in Bardia
• One Full day Jeep Tour in Bardia National Park
• Iodine/Chlorine treated Safe Drinking water 
• A comprehensive medical kit
• All government and local taxes 
• Trekking equipment such as down-filled sleeping bag and duffel bag
• Farewell dinner
• Souvenir: Everest Base Camp Route map and Amazing Nepal T-Shirt

Service not Included:

• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu & Nepalgunj except for welcome and farewell dinner 
• Deserts (cakes, bakes, and pies)s 
• Additional Hot Drinks/Bottled drinks 
• Boiled/mineral water 
• Electronic device re-charge/Hot shower/Wi-Fi 
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance and evacuation insurance (strongly recommended)
• Tipping to driver and trekking crew

Key Information

• Nepalgunj-Talcha-Nepalgunj flight can be delayed or canceled mostly due to adverse weather conditions. Besides, occasional mechanical issues can be common. In such cases, your travel guide will try and reschedule your flight as soon as possible.
• Rara Lake lies in the Himalayan region, whereas Bardia lies in the lowlands of the Terai region. During spring and autumn seasons, cold winds can be felt in the mornings and evenings around Rara Lake. On the other hand, Bardia has humid weather conditions. 
• You must pack layered clothing for the trip. Also, pack a jacket to battle the cold wind in the morning and evening while you are in Rara Lake. Hats and sunglasses can be useful for the jeep safari at Bardia National Park.
• You can opt for activities like jungle walk, bird watching, and canoeing in the Rapti or Narayani rivers. If you come across any animal while doing any of these activities, make sure to be quiet and observe them from afar. 
• While in Rara National Park, you can also opt for bird watching and boating in Rara Lake. Make sure that you do not litter around since it is a protected area.

If you want to book a trekking package with Amazing Nepal Trek and Expedition and still wondering about the essential equipment for your trekking journey, here we are more than happy to offer our checklist for your references. Please make necessary amendments to our checklist as per your need and convenience. For some case, if you couldn’t get any of these listed equipment/gears in your hometown or you’re in a rush before you fly to Kathmandu, don’t worry! The listed necessary items mentioned below can be easily purchased here.
Except for your daypack, all luggage will be carried by porters. A porter is available for two people who will carry maximum up to 25 kg. So, you have to be careful while packing your bag or luggage.
 
Moreover, there is an allowance of 15kg per person on domestic flights. Additional personal items are not needed for the trekking portion of the trip which can be kept in the hotel’s storage room without extra cost.

Below is the checklist of equipment that is required for the trek:
 
HEAD

• Buff headwear /neckwear
• Sun hat or scarf
• Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
• Sunglasses
• Head Torch

UPPER BODY

• Cotton T-shirts or Thermals
• Fleece jacket
• Waterproof/windproof jacket
• Down-filled jacket  (Your own Down Jacket is strongly recommended, but Amazing Nepal Trek also supply complimentary down jacket which is needed to be returned after the completion of the trek)

LOWER BODY

• Lightweight cotton pants (long)
• Waterproof Pants
• Thermal underwear

FEET

• Thin inner socks
• Thick and warm wool hiking socks
• Comfortable Hiking boots
• Sneakers /slippers

HANDS

• Gore-tex gloves

ACCESSORIES

• Sleeping bag rated to - 20°C (Your own sleeping bag strongly is recommended, but Amazing Nepal Trek also supply complimentary sleeping bags which is needed to be returned after the completion of the trek)
• Trekking bags/duffel bag (Amazing Nepal Trek will supply complimentary water and windproof duffel/kit bag, but one extra big duffel bag/suitcase is necessary for items that are left at the hotel in Kathmandu)
• Large plastic bags (For keeping items dry inside trek bag)
• Trekking poles (Optional, Recommended)
• Water bottle or camel bag
• Toiletries
• Towel
• Sewing Kit
• Insect repellent, sunscreen, and lip balm
• The first-aid kit; should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band-Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea
• Re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking if any particular
• Wet wipes 
• Reading or writing material