Rara Lake draws over 19,000 tourists in a year

KATHMANDU: One of Nepal’s most scenic destinations, Rara Lake in Mugu district, welcomed more than 19,000 visitors in the last fiscal year, according to the Rara National Park Office.

A total of 19,104 domestic tourists visited the lake — 6,171 women and 12,933 men, informed acting park chief Rishikesh Yadav.

Additionally, 77 tourists from SAARC countries (64 men and 13 women) and 276 visitors from other foreign countries (163 men and 113 women) explored the pristine destination.

In the current fiscal year 2082/83 (up to mid-October), 2,347 domestic tourists — including 1,589 men and 758 women — have already visited Rara, along with 33 international visitors.

With the upgrading of the Karnali Highway, more domestic travelers are reaching Rara by road. The number of visitors has surged particularly during the Dashain and Tihar festivals, said Yadav.

Rara Lake, located in Karnali Province, is steadily emerging as a major tourist hotspot, drawing visitors especially from Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces. The route to Rara passes through Surkhet, Dailekh, Kalikot, and Jumla districts.

The lake’s surroundings — home to 51 species of mammals including musk deer, red panda, Himalayan leopard, and black bear — make it a biodiversity-rich attraction, according to the park office.

Local hotel entrepreneurs have urged all three tiers of government to prioritize blacktopping the Nagma–Gamgadhi road and the Karnali Highway, emphasizing their role in strengthening the province’s tourism-driven economy.

In recent years, more Nepalis have embraced domestic travel, often opting for rural tourism and adventure experiences that highlight mountain and hill landscapes, as well as the unique culture, traditions, and natural beauty of the Karnali region.

Established in 2032 BS, Rara National Park covers 106 square kilometers, primarily in Mugu, with a portion extending into Jumla district.

Local Organic Products Gaining Popularity

Alongside natural beauty, local organic agricultural products have become a favorite among visitors. Tourists traveling to Rara and Jumla are increasingly choosing Jumli organic goods such as Marsī rice, apple chips, beans, walnuts, buckwheat flour, honey, and millet products, which are prized for their taste and health benefits.

According to Arjun Budha, proprietor of the Rarali Organic Store in Khalanga Bazaar, sales of organic products during the recent Dashain–Tihar season alone reached Rs 300,000 to Rs 500,000.

Last year, trade worth Rs 1.2 million was recorded in local organic goods, reflecting the rising demand for authentic, locally produced foods among domestic and foreign visitors alike.