Jagat: Where your Round Manaslu Trek 2024/25 begins
11 Jul 2024 Chandra Gurung
Manaslu Trek is a non-bustling trekking spot in the west-central part of Nepal, in Gorkha District. The Manaslu Circuit Trek is known as the “Round Manaslu Trek,” which starts and ends at the same location in Soti Khola. Manaslu Himal (8163 m) is the eighth-highest mountain in the world, one with two high-altitude passes – Larka La Pass (51063 m) and Thorang La Pass (5416 m).
The main trekking activity route beginning a circular journey to Manaslu starts from the Jagat (1400 m) as the main point to show the permit. With this arrives the beautiful Gurung settlement with the Marasyandi River alongside. Jagat village is centered on greenery and lush forests and is an acclimatization spot to trek to higher altitudes with traditional and unique tea houses and lodges. It is the main point of the trail towards the beautiful Philim Valley and Tsum Valley, rich in culture.
The Round Manaslu Trek takes you to the tranquility of mountain peaks, vegetation, long bridges, species, lakes, hills, and a traditional ethnic environment. This destination has a refreshment trek to the Round Manaslu Trek, letting you picture the viewpoint of mountains. As you ascend or descend in any place in Manaslu, you stop at Jagat without skipping the beauty.
How do I reach Jagat?
You would first take a visit to Kathmandu, enjoying the bustling city with rich historical places and typical Nepali food. Then, after taking a Jeep to Soti Khola, you would be moving towards different village destinations to reach Jagat, which are:
1. Arughat
Arughat, a village at 600 m, has a way to pursue your journey towards Jagat. Here, the village is well-settled as it lies in the lower elevation of Round Manaslu Trek. Then you would be moving to Soti Khola, ending your day by seeing the Budi Gandaki River and sleeping at night in a nearby village.
2. Machakhola
Machakhola is your next stop after you take a walk from Soti Khola. You would be heading through the beautiful green forests, stepping into Labubensi village (884 m), and passing through Armala and Nauli Khola villages. After that, pass the last town of Khanbesi and reach Machakhola, a settlement of the Gurung community.
3. Khorla Bensi
Khorla Bensi is a village with a beautiful hill and terraced farming land. You will leave the Machakhola, taking a step to Khorla Bensi and then towards the Tatopani.
4. Tatopani
Tatopani is a beautiful natural spot for you to bathe in a hot spring that has the significance of healing your skin problems. Alongside, it keeps your body relaxed after a long way to reach Tatopani.
5. Dovan (1070 m)
After leaving Tatopani, you would head to Dovan Village, crossing the steel suspension bridge. Dovan is a place at the junction of Modi Khola and Mardi Khola. Their meeting points add additional charm to nature’s beauty in Dovan village.
The rivers give away beautiful sights of the flow of water and the sound of water that knocks on your ears. While taking a day at Dovan, witness the sunset from the fishtail peak of Nepal, Mount Machhapuchre. It is the most appealing sight while you stay in Dovan. Beautiful small teahouses are made for trekkers to chill with coffee, bakery, and food.
6. Thulo Dunga
Thulo Dunga is translated from Nepali as “Big Rock,” which gives you a view of the highest peaks of Mount Manaslu (8163 m), Himalchuli (7893 m), Ngadi Chuli (7871 m), Shringi Himal (7187 m ) and Ganesh Himal. Here, Big Rock is naturally formed, attracting trekkers to see the formation of rocks.
7. Yaruphant
Yaruphant is reached by leaving Thulo Dunga village and crossing the bridge attached to metamorphic rocks beside the Budhi Gandaki River. Walking just beside the river and inhaling the fresh air will give you a warm embrace of nature.
Yaruphant Village has open space land with small settlements made of slate and wood. When you enter the village, you will see the background of the ridge mountain with the magnificent view of Shringi Himal.
Finally, you have reached Jagat, drolling around the Tatopani and moving toward the steel bridge to reach the village of Dovan (1070 m). Cross the settlements of Thulo Dunga and Yaruphant on the adjacent side of Budi Gandaki. Then, you will reach the beautiful Gurung settlement of Jagat. Overnight at a lodge in Jagat.
Things To Do in Jagat
Jagat is not only a place to start your higher elevation journey to the Round Manaslu trek but also to visit the nearby side trips, squeezing yourself into the natural environment and wildlife. It’s a small village with the traditional ethnicities of Gurung and Tibetan communities surrounded by green hills, inspiring you to live happily. So take a look at what more things we can do while staying in Jagat:
1. Local cultural exploitation
Since the Jagat village is involved in communities of Gurung and Tibetan, the mix of cultures gives off different vibes and opportunities to witness their cultural activities.
You can get to explore their festival of:
- Buddha Jayanti, a celebration of the birth of the God Buddha
- Mani Rimdu, a festival celebrated with cultural mask dance
- Lhosar, a festival of Tibetan New Year, celebrates worshipping God in monasteries with new clothes on and typical Tibetan food, “Khapse.”
- Gyalpo Lhosar is a festival celebrated with Tibetan dance, song, and feast.
2. Trekking on nature walks
Trekkers can trek to the nearby villages of Salleri and Sirdibas. It also includes a 4-5 hour trek to other destinations like Philim, Ekle Bhatti, and Lopa village. On the way, you can see wildlife species such as snow leopard, Himalayan thar, blue sheep, or musk deer, as Jagat is included in the Manaslu Conservation Area.
Trekking the short upper distance helps you prepare for the upper trail and also allows you to foresee the lush forest. With different colors of rhododendron flowers and the mesmerizing scenic beauties of mountains, you feel special. Abide by the Budhi Gandaki River, crossing the long steel suspension bridge to get to nearby nature walks.
3. Try typical local Tibetan foods
Tibetan food, combined with the typical culture, would give you a different and unique flavor of dishes. You must try their dal bhat seasoned vegetables, dumplings, thukpa, thenduk, and millet wine. There are different types of dumplings and thukpa made from vegetarian and non-vegetarian items.
4. Go for Praying to Monasteries
Jagat village has small old Buddhist monasteries for trekkers to visit and pray in. Chholangparo Monastery and Philim Monastery are nearest to Jagat and take you to hike for 2-3 hours. You would get to experience a peaceful mind as you would be vibed automatically with the sound of music, chants, or prayers with instruments. The lamas would give you blessings and serve you food in monasteries. Light the butter lamp and take a round of metal money.
5. Enjoy the scenic views
Enjoy your time to see a scenic view of the sunset and sunrise from between the hills. Take a tour of the nearby waterfalls and rivers of the Buddhi Gandaki River, Chhading Khola, and Salleri Waterfall in Jagat.
Visit the natural waterfalls that drain the water from between the high rock walls, splashing water on your body. You would also feel the breezing air giving you a chill ambiance in your inner soul, making you stay longer and swim near the waterfall.
6. Capture the memory
As the place is full of natural vegetation, wildlife, and viewpoints of the top hills, it creates a memory to capture in the brain. To relive your journey for a lifetime, you can take photos, film videos, or both. These captured moments from cameras can be replayed when you are feeling down and shown to your family while taking leisure time with them.
Surrounding villages of Jagat in Round Manaslu Trek
Jagat is the place for you to adapt yourself to the cold atmosphere of the Round Manaslu Trek. Exploring the Jagat would be very satisfying for trekkers, making them more curious to explore the other parts of the Manaslu Trek.
Jagat is not an end but the start point is to trek to a higher elevation. Let’s take a look at a long day route for you to reach the Round Manaslu Trek. Starting from Jagat, you get to explore the challenges and rewards at the same point:
1. Deng (1350 m)
By taking a permit from Jagat, you would cross different suspension bridges with the flow of the Budhi Gandaki River. After the walk of 2-3 hours, reach Philim Village, trespassing with the view of Siringi Himal (7161 m). Then, move to the newly constructed Nayapul bridges, Nyak, and Deng villages.
2. Namrung (2165 m)
Ascending through Pine Forest and canyon roads, you will reach Rana Village (1980 m) and climb up again to Bhim Phedi village, viewing Serang Khola, moving forward to Ghap Villages, Namrung, and Pewa.
Conclusion
Jagat village is a beautiful community rich in culture. A picturesque landscape of green hills with a background of mountains draws every trekker’s attention. As you ascend upward, trekkers can enjoy more views of the other highest peaks of Nepal. Foods with the typical Gurung and Tibetan flavors would give you a different taste. Moreover, take a route from small villages to reach Jagat and exploring different vegetation and wildlife makes trekking worth giving a try.
To enjoy the natural beauties and immerse yourself in the culture of Jagat, we can help guide you to explore more elaborately along with the Round Manaslu Trek. If you have any questions or need detailed information, Manaslu Guide will be happy to guide you.