BAGLUNG: Tourists hoping to visit Jaljala in Baglungs district during this year’s Dashain festival have been forced to turn back due to continued rainfall and road closures.
While domestic and foreign visitors had reached Jaljala during Dashain last year, this season’s prolonged rains have left roads impassable, with tourists now returning from Dhorpatan Valley and Bukipatan instead.
Jaljala, situated within Dhorpatan—the only wildlife reserve in Nepal—is accessible from both Baglung and Myagdi districts. The destination has grown increasingly popular due to its panoramic views of sunrise and dozens of Himalayan peaks, including Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Machhapuchhre.
Although Jaljala remained relatively unknown until five years ago, recent promotional efforts have boosted its visibility, especially as a winter destination. Located about 22 kilometers west of Dhorpatan Valley, the area was only connected to the road network last year.
Lower Jaljala can be reached by road from Dhorpatan and from Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality in Myagdi. However, due to poor road conditions and lack of vehicle access during the rainy season, tourists are facing difficulties.
To reach Jaljala, travelers must cross three forested areas from Dhorpatan Valley. But this year, due to the heavy rains, makeshift wooden bridges—or Sanghu—have not been installed, said Jeevan Pun, chairperson of the Dhorpatan Valley Hotel Entrepreneurs Association.
“Tourist numbers to Jaljala had been rising over the past two years, but this year the weather has made it impossible,” Pun said.
He noted that at least two wooden bridges at Gurjaghat on the Dhorpatan–Jaljala route are urgently needed. “The bridge installed last year was swept away during the monsoon,” he said, adding that the road would be cleared and temporary bridges installed in the coming days. He emphasized that if Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality repairs the Mareni road section, access to Jaljala would greatly improve.
Currently, about 100 tourists visit Dhorpatan daily. However, many express disappointment over being unable to reach Jaljala. “The number of tourists started rising from last year. Before that, only herders visited. The place is stunning,” said Pun.
“But this year’s continuous rain damaged roads and washed away bridges. We plan to rebuild them soon, and visitors should be able to reach Jaljala by Tihar.”
Jaljala, located at an elevation of 3,400 meters above sea level, offers views of over two dozen peaks including Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, Manapathi, Putha, Churen, Gurja, and Nilgiri—making it a major attraction for trekkers and nature lovers.
Rawal Rokaya, a tourist from Tulsipur, Dang, shared his disappointment. “I was drawn to Jaljala after seeing pictures of the mountain views on social media. I had heard it was possible to reach by motorbike from Dhorpatan, but the roads are impassable due to landslides and river overflows,” he said. Rokaya, who had traveled in a group of 12, returned via Bukipatan after being unable to reach Jaljala.
At present, most tourists arriving in Dhorpatan with the intention of visiting Jaljala are being forced to turn back from the valley.
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