Top Ten Treks in the Nepalese Himalaya

Rara Lake and distant mountains (GORP)

Deep in the remote reaches of western Nepal, Rara Lake is, as described by GORP founder Bill Greer, "a shimmering blue jewel set in a ring of snowy peaks." The largest lake in Nepal and also a vital habitat area for water birds, Rara Lake is at the heart of Rara National Park, established to preserve this life-giving watershed, as well as the nearby snow-capped peaks and high altitude pine, spruce and juniper woodlands. Although more trampled than in the past, the road to Rara Lake is still without any of the comfortable services available along more popular trails. Logistically it is not an easy trek; it is hard to get to and from, and it is an organizational challenge, requiring informed guides and porters to tote the two weeks' worth of material that will keep you warm, dry and fed. It is also tough on the bones, involving several 11,000-foot passes. However, once you overcome the obstacles, the rewards are legion: few if any other trekkers, incomparable natural splendor, "untouched" villages, blissful quiet…