Rara Lake
Also known as: Mahendra Tal · रारा ताल
Nepal's largest lake, a deep blue sheet of water at 2,990 m ringed by pine, spruce and juniper forest.
Rara covers about 10 km² and is protected by Rara National Park, Nepal's smallest national park, created in 1976. Its colour changes through the day from turquoise to deep sapphire, and the surrounding forest is home to musk deer, Himalayan black bears, red pandas and many birds; in winter migrating waterfowl rest on the lake.
The villages of Rara and Chhapru were relocated when the park was created, so the shores are wild and quiet. Walk the lake circuit (about a day), climb Murma Top for the panoramic view, and stay in the few lodges near the park office.