Town or village
Musikot
The hill headquarters of Rukum West, a base for Syarpu Lake and the villages of the Sani Bheri valley.
चौरजहारी
Chaurjahari
A market town on a broad terrace above the Bheri river in Rukum West, with an airstrip and a regional hospital.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Rukum West, Karnali
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: landslides (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Chaurjahari is a market town in the south-west of Rukum West district, Karnali Province, set on a broad, fairly level terrace above the Bheri river. The name refers to the open, flat land (chaur) on which it stands, unusual in this steep hill country. It is one of the larger towns in the district and has a small airstrip and a well-known mission hospital that serves patients from a wide area of the Karnali hills.
The town is a transport and trading hub for the surrounding villages and for neighbouring Jajarkot across the river. For travellers it is a practical base for exploring the Bheri valley and the villages of western Rukum, and a possible entry point to the district by air when flights operate from Nepalgunj.
There are no major sights, but the open terrace, views over the river and the surrounding hills, and the bustle of a working hill bazaar make it a pleasant place to stop. Walks lead down to the river and up to villages on the slopes above.
History and culture
The terrace at Chaurjahari has long been farmed, and the town grew as a market for the surrounding area. The hospital, established by a mission organisation, became one of the most important medical facilities in this remote part of Nepal and helped the town grow as a regional centre.
Like the rest of Rukum, the area was affected by the Maoist conflict, and more recently by the 2023 earthquake centred in neighbouring Jajarkot. The population is mixed, with Magar, Chhetri, Thakuri, Brahmin and Dalit communities, and the town is part of Chaurjahari Municipality.
Things to do in Chaurjahari
Bazaar walk
Stroll through the market and across the open terrace.
River walk
Walk down towards the Bheri river and its suspension bridges.
Jajarkot side trip
Cross the Bheri to visit Khalanga, the headquarters of Jajarkot.
Weather and the best time to visit Chaurjahari
Weather in Chaurjahari
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are dry and clear, the most comfortable months for travel in the middle hills.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool and mostly dry, with cold nights and morning fog in the valleys.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March and April are pleasant with flowering trees; May turns hot and hazy in the lower valleys.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet, and landslides frequently block the hill roads.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
A few simple hotels and lodges in the bazaar.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Fly from Nepalgunj to Chaurjahari when flights operate, or travel by road from Surkhet or Nepalgunj.
Nearest hub: Nepalgunj
- flightSmall aircraft from Nepalgunj to Chaurjahari airport; services are irregular and weather-dependent.
- roadBuses and jeeps link Chaurjahari with Surkhet and Nepalgunj on long hill roads.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to visit Chaurjahari.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Chaurjahari
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Roads to Chaurjahari are prone to monsoon landslides and blockages.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
The Bheri below the town floods in the monsoon; keep off low riverside paths after heavy rain.
Heatlow in a typical yearApr-Jun
The low terrace is warm before the monsoon.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Confirm whether flights are operating before planning around them.
- Carry cash from Nepalgunj or Surkhet.
Questions about Chaurjahari
Where is Chaurjahari?
In Rukum West district, Karnali Province, on a terrace above the Bheri river.
Does Chaurjahari have an airport?
Yes, a small airstrip with flights from Nepalgunj when services operate.
Is Chaurjahari a good base?
Yes, for the Bheri valley, western Rukum and neighbouring Jajarkot.
Nearby
Lake
Syarpu Lake
The largest lake in Rukum West, a calm stretch of water among terraced hills near Musikot.
Town or village
Khalanga (Jajarkot)
The hill bazaar headquarters of Jajarkot, above the Bheri river and home to the old Jajarkot palace.
Valley or region
Bheri Valley (Jajarkot)
The deep valley of the Bheri river through Jajarkot, with terraced hills, river villages and suspension bridges.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Karnali Province, Wikipedia, Bheri River, Wikipedia