Rara National Park is located in northwest Nepal about 1 hour’s flight from Kathmandu. The park headquarters is about 32 km north to Jumla. This is the smallest park in Nepal (106 sq. km) with the country's biggest lake (10.8 sq. km) at an elevation of 2990 m. The park was gazetted in 1967 to conserve the unique beauty of Lake Rara and to protect a representative sample of flora and fauna of the Humla-Jumla region. The elevation of the park ranges from 1800 m to 4048 m, The park contains mainly coniferous forest. The area around the lake is dominated by blue pine up to 3200 m, Rhododendron  black juniper, west Himalayan spruce, oak  and Himalayan cypress  are other species. At about 3350 m pine and spruce give way to fir, oak and birch forest. A small portion of the park serves as an ideal habitat for musk deer. Himalayan black bear leopard, musk deer, goral, jackal, Himalayan tahr, yellow throated marten, wild dog, wild boar, common langur, rhesus macaque and common otter are other species found in the park. Common birds in the park are snow cock, chukor partridge, Impeyan pheasant, kalij pheasant and blood pheasant. Bird lovers enjoy winter with the migratory birds. Conventional currents do not allow the lake to freeze in winter.

Chuchemara Peak (4048 m) on the southern side of lake presents a magnificent scene with the gleaming blue water within a basin of well forested hills. Other summits are Ruma Kand (3731 m) and Malika Kand (3444 m) to the north of the lake.

Rara Park Permit and Regulations:
 
Entry Fees
     For Foreign Nationals:        NRs. 1000 per person per entry
     For SAARC Nationals:         NRs.  100 per person per entry

• A separate permission is required for filming inside the protected area.
  Purchasing of plant or wildlife products is illegal.
• All flora and fauna inside the Reserve are protected, and must not be disturbed.
• Walking/traveling inside the Reserve between sunset and sunrise in prohibited.
• Rubbish must be disposed of in designated areas, and non-biodegradable items like plastics and bottles must be carried out by the visitors.