Jaljala trek, located in Rolpa district, the cradle of Maoist revolution, is one of the newly opened trekking areas in Nepal. This trekking route is situated in Rolpa district in mid – western part of Nepal. Similarly, Jaljala trekking offers you the awe – inspiring views of the green lands of wild blossoms and Rhododendron forests with various species of birds and animals. The forests of Jaljala also have leopards, bears, Musk deer, Wild Boar and many other animals leaving you the opportunity to encounter their footprints sometime. Being the origin point of the decade long Civil war by the Maoists, Rolpa holds beautiful views, unique culture and great political history. 

About the Jaljala Trek

This area has many untold stories to offer for its travelers by the local people as they have seen the actual reality of the Maoist. With the sweeping view of Mt. Sisne, Mt. Putha, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Annapurna and many other peaks, Jaljala trekking takes you through the villages inhabited mainly by magar people. Observing the lifestyles of different ethnic groups along the trail, trekking in Rolpa district can be a once in a lifetime experience. A visit to Jaljala in the spring time transports you to a magical land with a colorful carpet of wild blossoms, green meadows and Rhododendron forests. The presence of more than a hundred species of birds and wildlife such as leopard, bear, musk deer and wild boar is another attraction of Jaljala Trek.

Jaljala trek offers sweeping views of Mt. Sisne, Mt. Putha, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Annapurna and other mountains. Mainly populated by Magar, one of the indigenous peoples of Nepal, it is a wonderful experience to have a close look at their way of life and culture. Jaljala (3193m) is also the main pilgrimage site of the whole Rapti Zone and consists of three important temples: Kailu Baraha, Baju Baraha and Sahadey Barah. 

Day 1 Cultural Tour in Kathmandu

You will have a sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley which takes in the key attractions in and around Kathmandu. Including AM: Visit 2000 years old Buddhist shrine Swayambhunath, situated on the top of the hill west of the city the most popular and instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal. The temple is colloquially known as the “Monkey Temple”. There are many small buildings and shrines down the hillside behind Swayambhunath. 

Explore the colorful Kathmandu Durbar Square – The Old Royal Palace of Kathmandu, Temple of living goddess Kumari, the Jagannath temple, and 17th century temple known for colorfully painted erotic carvings, Kasthmandap temple a three story temple built from a single tree in 12th century. Visit Pashupatinath temple, one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the World. The holy river Bagmati and the burning Ghats and also visit one of the oldest and biggest stupa of Boudhanath.   

Day 2 Drive from Kathmandu Valley to Bhalubang

Drive from Kathmandu to Bhalubang takes eight hours. Bhalubang is situated on the banks of the Rapti River. . The drive presents you the opportunity to see wonderful landscapes of terraced farmlands- green and wet with the sowing of rice and barley by the farmers, the frisky rush of the meandering rivers by the highway and the isolated valleys low- lying among the gargantuan hills and rocky gorges.

Day 3 Drive from Bhalubang to Sulichur

Drive from Bhalubang to Sulichur (800m) takes five hours. You will travel along the length of the Mali and Lungri streams. Sulichur is a small bazaar where you halt for the night.

Day 4 Trek to Sulichur to Jelbang

Trek from Sulichur to Jelbang (1655m) takes eight hours. The trail takes on some ascents and descents to reach Jelbang. During the spring season one can find people searching for gold in the Phagam stream. On the way you will observe the Magar community engaged in their daily chores in the fields and homes. 

Day 5 Trek from Jelbang to Bagtare

Trek from Jelbang to Bagtare takes five hours. You follow an ascending trail up to Bagtare. Some gold and iron mines are located in this region.  

Day 6 Trek from Bagtare to Jaljala

Trek from Bagtare to Jaljala (3160m) takes five hours. It is an ascending trail that brings you to Jaljala. 

Day 7 Exploration Day

This day you can explore the various sights and sounds of Jaljala. In the spring time you will be able to see the full blossoming of wildflowers and Rhododendron, green meadows and the excellent views of various mountains such as Mt. Sisne, Mt. Putha, Mt. Dhaulagiri, and Mt. Annapurna. Pilgrims offer prayers at the temples Kailu Baraha, Sahadev Baraha and Bajyu Baraha. Visiting the Bhama cave also makes for an interesting trip. This cave is twenty-five to thirty meters long. 

Main altitude point of this trek is Dharampani (3900m) in Jaljala from where you can have super magnificent views of Dhaulagiri Himalayan range to the east and Mt. Putha, Kanji Rowa, and others unnamed peaks are recently known climbing peaks and the very famous Saipal Himal peaks in the far west of Nepal. The place where the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was given weapons training during the war. 

Day 8 Jaljala to Thabang

Trek from Jaljala to Thabang (2000m) takes four hours. The trekking trail now passes through a descending path to arrive at Thabang. Thabang is the origin of the Maoist movement in Nepal.  

Day 9 Enjoy Cultural Programs

This day you can enjoy the cultural programs that exhibit the various forms of Magar dances such as Dhikure, Bhumya, etc. Both young and old join together to participate in the yearly festival known as “Bhumya festival” to appease the nature god and pray for the blessings to save their fields and homes from the might of the natural calamities.  

Day 10 Trek from Thabang to Uwa

Trek from Thabang to Uwa takes six to seven hours. This day you follow through some ascents and descents before you halt at Uwa for the night. 

Day 11 Trek from Uwa to Phuliban

Trek from Uwa to Phuliban for three hours. From Phuliban drive to Sulichur that takes one and half hours. You can have a glimpse of the Sunchhahari cascade on the way. You can also sight people searching intently for gold in the stream of Lungri during the spring season. 

Day 12 Phuliban to Suliochaur

This is where you will finally get to Rolpa and the road head. Rolpa was also a rebel base area and for many of the ten years of war under total Maoist control. You can eat at one of the many commune restaurants run by Maoist cooperatives, where staff are relatives of those who were killed in the war.

Day 13 Suliochaur to Kathmandu

You will drive back to Kathmandu from Suliochaur, you will be back on different highways of lower land of Nepal; called Terai, and near Chitwan National Park where the road follows the river called Narayani-Trishuli almost to Kathmandu.

This is one of the newest trekking trails in Nepal where travelers can witness the beauty of nature with the untold story about the domestic conflict in Nepal.