SATV 1 July, Kathmandu: The number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting Rara Lake, the main tourist destination of Karnali Province, has increased. 

With the increase in the number of domestic tourists to the largest and deepest lake of Nepal, well-equipped hotels have also started opening here. 

A total of 16,589 domestic and foreign tourists have reached Rara Lake during the first 11 months (from mid-July 2024 to mid-June 2025) of the current fiscal year. 

Around 16,309 Nepali, 53 individuals from SAARC countries, and 227 foreign tourists have reached Rara, said Dharmajit Sawad, Acting Conservation Officer of the Rara National Park, Hutu, Mugu. 

The suitable months for visiting Rara are from mid-February to mid-July, mid-September to mid-December and mid-February to mid-February, he said.

The number of tourists visiting Rara has started increasing as facilities of road, air transport and hotels have been added over the years. 

According to the Rara National Park, most domestic tourists have recently reached Rara via the Karnali Highway, visiting Dailekh, Kalikot, Jumla and Sinja areas.

According to Punikala Bam, an operator of Danfe Hotel, the resort has been brought into operation in Rara for the convenience of tourists.

"As there were no well-equipped hotels in Rara, tourists faced a problem with accommodation. Now with well-equipped hotel coming into operation in Rara, the number of tourists has also increased," she said.

Pushpa Raj Tripathi from Bharatpur Metropolitan City-6 mentioned that a short vacation in Rara could help relieve stress accumulated over the year.

Likewise, tourists in Rara experience horseback riding, boating on the lake, observing Rara fish, and visiting renowned religious sites such as Laguda Mahadev, Chapru Mahadev, and Rara Mahadev.