Asoj 2083 BSअसोज २०८३· Nepal runs on its own calendar

Plan my trip

Far West & Karnali · lake

Ramaroshan

रामारोशन Barha Banda, Athara Khanda (Nepali: twelve lakes, eighteen meadows)

Ramaroshan is a high plateau in Achham district at about 2,500 m, known locally as the land of twelve lakes and eighteen meadows. Jigale, a Y-shaped lake, is the largest; Kinimini is the biggest meadow. Rhododendron forest, danphe pheasants and views of Api and Saipal make it the far west's rising nature destination.

  • Stay 1–2 nights
  • Best Mar – May · Oct – Nov
  • लेकLekh
Plan a trip with RamaroshanRead its story
Ramaroshan
Photo: Aditya Pal · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The air at Ramaroshan

Altitude2,500 m28.3% of the way to 8,849 m
BeltLekhलेक · High hills: pasture, pine, the last fields
Each breath74%of the oxygen at sea level
Water boils91.5 °Cso dal takes longer here
vs Kathmandu-7.2 °Ctypical difference by height

Oxygen, boiling point and temperature are worked out from the standard atmosphere for 2,500 m; real days vary with weather.

In Achham people describe Ramaroshan in one line: barha banda, athara khanda, twelve lakes and eighteen meadows. It is a plateau of forest, grassland and small lakes at around 2,500 m in Ramaroshan rural municipality, hidden from the main roads but well known across Sudurpashchim as a place for picnics, pilgrimage and, increasingly, trekking.

The lakes vary from Jigale, the largest, shaped like the letter Y, to tiny Taule. Between them lie the patans, open meadows where herders graze cattle and sheep in summer. The largest, Kinimini patan, has the Kailash stream winding through it. Around the edges grows thick rhododendron forest, red in spring, home to the danphe, musk deer and black bear.

Ramaroshan is still young as a destination. Facilities are simple, roads are rough and you will meet more Nepali visitors than foreign ones. That is its charm. Come for a night or two in spring or autumn, walk between lakes and meadows, and look north on a clear morning to the snow of Api and Saipal.

Why go

Jigale, the Y-shaped lake

Jigale is the largest of Ramaroshan's lakes, its two arms shaped like the letter Y. Walk around its shore through forest and grass, and look for reflections of the surrounding trees in the still morning water.

Kinimini patan

The largest meadow of Ramaroshan, possibly the largest in Achham, Kinimini is a broad sweep of grass with the Kailash stream winding through it. In summer herders bring their cattle here; in autumn the grass turns gold.

Rhododendron forests in spring

From March to May the forests around the lakes turn red and pink with rhododendron, Nepal's national flower. The trails between the meadows pass right through them, at their best in late March and April.

Views of Api and Saipal

On clear mornings, especially in October and November, the snow peaks of Api and Saipal rise on the northern horizon. Climb to one of the ridges above the lakes at sunrise for the best view.

Danphe and forest wildlife

Ramaroshan's forests shelter the danphe, Nepal's national bird, along with musk deer, Himalayan tahr and black bear. Listen for the danphe's call at dawn and dusk along the forest edges.

१The story of Ramaroshan

A herders' plateau finding its place on the map

For generations Ramaroshan belonged to the herders and farmers of the villages below. Families took cattle, buffalo and sheep up to the meadows in summer, built stone and timber shelters called goth, collected herbs and firewood in the forest, and came down again before the snow. The lakes were places of worship, and small shrines stand near several of them.

Achham, the district around Ramaroshan, is remote and steep, and many of its men have long travelled to India for work. Roads arrived late, and for decades Ramaroshan was known only within the far west. When Nepal reorganised its local government in 2017, seven former village councils were joined into Ramaroshan rural municipality, which put the plateau's name on the map and made tourism a local priority.

Since then the municipality and local groups have built trails, viewpoints and simple facilities, and boating began on the lakes in 2020. Festivals and cultural programmes with Deuda performances draw visitors on World Tourism Day and at holidays. Ramaroshan remains rough at the edges, but it is now one of the most talked-about new destinations in Sudurpashchim.

२The legend
As it is told · रामारोशन

Local people give two stories for the name. One says Ramaroshan is named after two brothers, Rame and Roshan, who lived in the area long ago. The other ties the name to Shiva and Parvati, who are believed to have rested on the plateau, with the lakes and meadows marking their presence. Both stories are told with equal conviction in the villages.

३The people

Who lives here

The villages around Ramaroshan are mostly Chhetri, with Dalit, Brahmin, Thakuri and some Magar families. People speak Achhami, the local form of the far western language, and Nepali. They farm wheat, maize, millet and rice on the lower slopes, keep cattle and sheep on the meadows in summer, and many men work seasonally in India. Deuda is sung at every gathering.

Local name: Barha Banda, Athara Khanda (Nepali: twelve lakes, eighteen meadows)

४Words you will hear
Nepali
बण्ड
Banda

Local word for a lake or pond, as in barha banda

Nepali
लालीगुराँस
Lali gurans

Red rhododendron, Nepal's national flower

Nepali
गोठ
Goth

Herders' cattle shed and summer shelter

Every word on this site

५What to eat

Dahi and ghee from the goth

Thick yoghurt and fresh ghee made by herding families in their summer shelters on the meadows, often served with millet bread or rice. Ask your guide to find a goth that is happy to sell some, and drink buttermilk, mohi, after a hot walk.

६Few people know

Things most guides leave out

Ramaroshan is known locally as barha banda, athara khanda, meaning twelve lakes and eighteen meadows. Jigale, shaped like the letter Y, is the largest lake and Taule the smallest.

Wikipedia: Ramaroshan Site

Kinimini patan, the largest of Ramaroshan's meadows and possibly the largest in Achham district, has the Kailash stream flowing through it.

Wikipedia: Ramaroshan Site

Ramaroshan rural municipality was formed in 2017 by merging seven former village development committees: Malatiko, Chafamandu, Shantada, Batulasain, Samroshan, Bhatakatiya and Sutar.

Wikipedia: Ramaroshan Rural Municipality

Untold Nepal, region by region

Experiences

Four ways to spend a day in Ramaroshan

Nature
Ramaroshan2–3 hours

Morning walk around Jigale lake

Walk the shore of Jigale, the largest of Ramaroshan's twelve lakes and shaped like the letter Y, in the still …
Nature
Ramaroshan3–4 hours

Kinimini, the great meadow of Achham

Walk out to Kinimini patan, Ramaroshan's largest meadow, where the Kailash stream winds through open grass and herders bring their …
Trekking
RamaroshanHalf day to full day

Rhododendron forest trails in spring

In spring, follow forest trails between Ramaroshan's lakes and meadows when the rhododendrons are in full flower, red and pink …
Nature
Ramaroshan2 hours

Sunrise over Api and Saipal

Climb to a ridge above the lakes before dawn to watch the first light touch the snow of Api and …

Getting there

How to reach Ramaroshan

Road

Fly or drive to Dhangadhi, then take a jeep north into Achham towards Mangalsen, the district headquarters, and on to Ramaroshan on rough hill roads. Allow a long day, often 10 hours or more, depending on conditions. Roads are frequently damaged in the monsoon; check current status before you travel.

Air

Fly Kathmandu to Dhangadhi in about 1 hour 15 minutes. Achham has an airstrip at Sanfebagar, served at times by small planes, which can shorten the road journey; schedules are irregular, so check current status before you travel.

Where to stay

Facilities at Ramaroshan are simple. A few local homestays and basic guesthouses in the surrounding villages offer rooms and dal bhat, and the municipality has encouraged new tourist facilities, but standards and availability change from year to year. Many visitors, including large groups, camp near the lakes. Mangalsen and Sanfebagar have simple hotels for the night before or after. Book through an agency that knows the area.

Local tips

  • Visit in late March to April for rhododendrons, or October to November for clear mountain views.
  • Carry warm clothing; at 2,500 m nights are cold even in spring and autumn.
  • Bring cash and some snacks, since shops near the lakes are few and basic.
  • Do not swim in the lakes, and take all litter back down with you.
  • Ask about local fees for boating or camping on arrival; check current status before you travel.

On the map

Ramaroshan and what is near it

Map of Ramaroshan, Khaptad National Park, Badimalika, DulluIndiaChinaNepalRamaroshan1RamaroshanKhaptad National Park2Khaptad National ParkBadimalika3BadimalikaDullu4Dullu50 kmN
  1. 1Ramaroshan
  2. 2Khaptad National Park
  3. 3Badimalika
  4. 4Dullu
Drawn by Book Nepal Trip from Natural Earth outlines (public domain). International borders as depicted by Nepal. Rivers: Karnali, Gandaki and Koshi systems. Not for navigation.

Trips

Trips that stop in Ramaroshan

Far West & Karnalimax 2,500 m
6 nightsModerateadventure

Ramaroshan Lakes and Dullu

Six nights by jeep and on foot across the hills of the far west. Through Doti to Ramaroshan in Achham, an upland …

fromUSD 1,150See the days

Festivals here

Far West & Karnali
Ramaroshanगौरा पर्व

Gaura Parva

Bhadra, usually late August or early September (lunar dates)

Nearby

Pair Ramaroshan with

Khaptad National Park Far West & Karnali3,000 m
national parkLekhखप्तड राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज

Khaptad National Park

High meadows where Khaptad Baba meditated for fifty years

Apr – May · Sep – Oct
Badimalika Far West & Karnali4,220 m
pilgrimage siteHimalबडिमालिका

Badimalika

A goddess temple at 4,220 m above the meadows of Bajura

May · Aug – Oct
Dullu Far West & Karnali1,400 m
pilgrimage sitePahadदुल्लु

Dullu

Eternal flames and the stone pillar of a Khasa emperor

Mar – Apr · Oct – Nov

Questions

Ramaroshan: what travellers ask

Where is Ramaroshan?

Ramaroshan is in Ramaroshan rural municipality, Achham district, Sudurpashchim Province, in the hills of far western Nepal. It lies north of Dhangadhi, towards the border with Bajura district, home of Badimalika.

How do I get to Ramaroshan from Kathmandu?

Fly Kathmandu to Dhangadhi, then drive north into Achham via Mangalsen to Ramaroshan, a long day of 10 hours or more on hill roads. Small planes to Sanfebagar in Achham can shorten the trip when they run. Check current status before you travel.

What is the best time to visit Ramaroshan?

March to May for rhododendrons and mild weather, and September to November for clear views of Api and Saipal. The monsoon from June to August brings rain and difficult roads, and winter can bring snow.

Why is Ramaroshan called twelve lakes and eighteen meadows?

The local saying barha banda, athara khanda describes the plateau's twelve lakes and eighteen patans, or meadows. The lakes range from Jigale, the largest, to Taule, the smallest, and Kinimini is the largest meadow.

Is there accommodation at Ramaroshan?

There are a few simple homestays and guesthouses in surrounding villages, and many visitors camp near the lakes. Facilities change from year to year as tourism grows. Book through an agency that knows the area, and bring a warm sleeping bag.

How many days do I need for Ramaroshan?

One or two nights at the plateau is enough to see the main lakes and meadows. With travel from Dhangadhi, plan four to five days in total. It combines well with Khaptad or Badimalika for a longer far western trip.

Do I need a permit for Ramaroshan?

Ramaroshan is not inside a national park, and no special trekking permit is needed at the time of writing. Local fees may apply for camping, boating or conservation. Check current status before you travel.

Is Ramaroshan suitable for families?

Yes, for families comfortable with long road journeys and basic facilities. The walks between lakes and meadows are gentle, and children enjoy the open space. Bring warm clothes for cold nights and snacks for the drive.

What wildlife can I see at Ramaroshan?

The forests hold danphe, Nepal's national bird, along with other pheasants, langur monkeys, musk deer, Himalayan tahr and black bear. Birds are the most likely sightings; mammals are shy and rarely seen.

Plan with a local planner

Tell us your height, we will find the trail

Easy hills or a 5,000 m pass, a week or a month: three short questions and a planner sends a first plan, with the sleeping height of every night and an itemised price.

Plan my trip
  1. १Tell us where, when and how high you want to go
  2. २Get a first plan and an itemised price within one working day
  3. ३Change anything until it fits. Pay a deposit only when you book
Plan my Nepal trip