Explore the Region of Charikot
With the Sun Kosi River as its border to the west, and the Khimti Khola River running along the east, the beautiful riverine valleys of Charikot open out into majestic folded volcanic mountains and spectacular scenery. Settlements along the banks of the rivers grow sub-tropical fruit, and terraced fields rising up the hillsides are cultivated with millet, wheat and rice in this verdant region of the Dolakha District of northeastern Nepal, which is a popular starting point for trekking into the Everest, or Sagarmatha, area via the village of Jiri.
The road between Charikot and Jiri is bordered by extensive sugarcane plantations, while the slopes above are covered in forests of pine, fir and dark oak trees, with orchids and brightly colored rhododendrons flowering in spring. Rocks in the forests are covered in moss and lichen, with wild strawberries, loganberries and fragrant thyme being among the flora found there. Birds such as the Nepal wren-babbler and mountain hawk eagles may be spotted when exploring the landscape of Charikot.
Charikot is home to a number of ethnic groups, with religious beliefs, traditions and practices being quite varied. Among the residents of this region are Magars, Newars, Sherpas, Tamangs and Thamis. There are also the little understood Indo-Aryan Brahmins who believe their ancestors traveled with their Kings and Lords from Rajasthan and Kumaon to Nepal during the Muslim conquest of the Indian subcontinent. They continue to observe their traditional way of life and system of beliefs. The Tibeto-Mongoloid Jirels are likely descendants of Tibetan tribes, and while they follow Buddhist traditions, many of their rituals are performed by Hindu Brahmins. The majority of Jirels live in and around the nearby village of Jiri.
The town of Charikot is located at an altitude of 1 970 meters and is divided into three main parts: Purano Bazzar, which is the oldest part of the town primarily occupied by Newars; Middle Bazzar with the local government offices, shopping centers, banks and medical facilities; and Seven Fork, also known as Satdobato, the newest part of town with the police station, main medical facilities, restaurants and tourist accommodation, as well as the bus terminus. As the headquarters of the Dolakha District in Nepal’s Janakpur Zone, Charikot has a number of government and private schools, as well as a government college campus, some of which provide lodgings for students from surrounding rural areas.
