Trekking · Besisahar
Bahundanda & Jagat Trek Stage
A lower Annapurna Circuit stage above Besisahar, climbing the Marsyangdi past Bahundanda ridge to the village of Jagat.
Bahundanda and Jagat are two of the key lower stages of the Annapurna Circuit in the Marsyangdi valley above Besisahar, in the green hills of Lamjung. Bahundanda is a ridgetop Brahmin village on a high saddle; Jagat is a tidy stone settlement deeper up the gorge, close to where Lamjung gives way to Manang. Together they form the heart of the first few trekking days out of the Annapurna Circuit trailhead.
Bahundanda: the hill of the Brahmins
Climbing north from Bhulbhule and Khudi, the trail rises steeply to Bahundanda, whose name means the "hill of the Brahmins." Perched on a saddle at around 1,310 metres, the village commands wide views back down the terraced Marsyangdi valley and is a favourite second-night stop on the circuit. It is the last substantial Brahmin-Chhetri farming village before the route climbs into steeper, increasingly Tibetan-influenced country.
Down to the river and on to Jagat
From Bahundanda the path drops to the river, passing the hamlet of Ghermu and the long Syange waterfall, then clings to the steepening gorge as the Marsyangdi narrows. The walk to Jagat — a compact village of slate-roofed stone houses at about 1,300 metres — marks the approach to the boundary with Manang district and the old Manang customs post. This is where the lush middle hills begin to give way to the high mountains ahead.
Drive or walk?
The rough jeep road to Chame and Manang now reaches Jagat and beyond, so trekkers short on time can ride this section. Walking it is slower but far more rewarding, following the older trail past waterfalls and villages and easing the body higher gradually before the long climb toward the Thorong La.
Good to know
- Altitude: Both villages sit around 1,300 metres — still low, but the trail beyond climbs steadily, so pace yourself and read up on altitude sickness in Nepal.
- Season: Autumn and spring give the clearest walking; the lower valley is hot in late spring and wet in the monsoon.
- Lodges: Both Bahundanda and Jagat have simple trekking lodges and teahouses geared to circuit walkers.
- Plan it: This stage is part of the Besisahar and the Lamjung Region cluster. Read the national guides to the Annapurna Circuit trek and the Nepal trekking guide, then return to the Besisahar travel hub.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Bahundanda and Jagat?+
Bahundanda and Jagat are villages on the lower Annapurna Circuit in the Marsyangdi valley north of Besisahar, in Lamjung. Bahundanda sits on a high saddle at around 1,310 metres, while Jagat is a stone village further up the gorge at about 1,300 metres, near the boundary with Manang district.
How long is the walk from Bahundanda to Jagat?+
Walking from Bahundanda down to the river and up the gorge to Jagat is a half to full-day stage, passing Ghermu, the Syange waterfall and a riverside climb. Times vary with pace, the heat of the lower valley and whether you ride parts of the jeep road.
Why is Bahundanda a notable trek stop?+
Bahundanda, the 'hill of the Brahmins', sits on a scenic ridge saddle with terraced fields and wide valley views, making it a classic second or third overnight out of Besisahar. It is the last big Brahmin-Chhetri village before the trail enters steeper, Tibetan-influenced upper country.
Can you drive to Bahundanda and Jagat?+
Yes — the rough jeep road up the Marsyangdi valley reaches Jagat and beyond, so some trekkers ride this section. Walking it, however, follows the older trail past waterfalls and villages and gives gentler acclimatization before the climb toward Chame and Manang.
