Leave around 4:30 am with a headtorch. The trail climbs through pine and rhododendron above the south-east shore, steep in places, and comes out on open grassy slopes near the top. Allow about two hours up at a steady pace, with a height gain of roughly 650 m from the lake.
From the top the lake lies below as a complete oval, often with mist lifting off the water. On clear mornings the snow peaks of the Kanjiroba Himal stand to the east and the Saipal range to the west. There is a small viewing area and prayer flags, and in recent years a few tea stalls open in the busy season.
Take a warm jacket, gloves and a flask of tea; it is cold at dawn even in May. Descend for a late breakfast and spend the afternoon on the circuit or resting. Spring brings rhododendron flowers on the upper slopes; October has the clearest skies.
Good for
- Photographers
- Couples
- Solo
Questions travellers ask
How high is Murma Top?
Murma Top is around 3,630 m, roughly 650 m above Rara Lake. The climb takes about two hours from the park area on a well-used trail, steep in parts. Because you start near 3,000 m, take it slowly, especially if you flew straight into Talcha from Nepalgunj the previous day.
Is Murma Top worth the early start?
Yes, if the sky is clear. It is the only place from which you see the whole of Rara at once, framed by the Kanjiroba and Saipal ranges. Sunrise light on the snow and mist on the lake make it the highlight of most Rara trips. In cloudy weather, wait for the next morning.
Can I go to Murma Top by jeep?
A rough track has been built towards Murma, and some domestic visitors are driven part of the way in the busy season. Conditions and access change, so check current status before you travel. We prefer the walk, which is the best acclimatisation for the circuit and keeps the sunrise experience quiet.
