During this time, many of you would want to just stay home, unwind yourself and relax. But if you’re the types who crave for changing sceneries and who like to be on the road and explore new places, you’d want to use this time of the year to travel.[break]
Being in Nepal, one of the best trekking destinations in the world, you don’t even have to venture out too far for a great lost-in-the-Nature experience.
Moreover, with more jeep tracks and roads winding up and down the scenic landscapes of Nepal, you can now even choose to cycle along or cruise on your bike without missing out on the adventurous on-the-road fun.
Set out yourself with energetic friends or you can always find travel agencies who can guide you along.
The Week brings you four of the many trips you can take – on foot, on mountain bikes or motorbikes – to explore the beauty of this country which offers you a much needed peaceful time away from the chaos of the city.
HIKING
Chisapani – Nagarkot Hike
Duration – 3 days
This trip is perfect for people who want a good hike experience but are short on time. The three-day hike from Kathmandu to Chisapani and back offers you breathtaking mountain views of the Gauri Shankar, Langtang, Dorje Lakpa and Everest Ranges.
Other highlights include witnessing the culture of Tamang settlements in Sundarijal, the terraced farmlands and tranquil winding lanes with beautiful scenery around every corner. You can also visit Changu Narayan, the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley built in the 5th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the way.
Itinerary
Day 01: Take a one-hour drive to Sundarijal from where you start a five-hour walk to Chisapani (2,050m), climbing uphill as the city clamors fade away with the increasing altitude. After the climb, book yourself into a teahouse lodge for an overnight rest. Pack lunch en route.
Day 02: After an early breakfast and a bit of rest, set out for a seven-hour walk from Chisapani to Nagarkot (2,175m), enjoying the spectacular views. Get into a hotel, freshen up, energize yourself with a hearty dinner and stay overnight.
Day 03: Walk from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Temple and catch transport for Kathmandu in Bhaktapur.
Alternatives
• On the second day, you can make the walk shorter by staying at Chauki Bhanjyang (2,000m) between Chisapani and Nagarkot.
• Instead of starting the trek from Sundarijal, you can begin from Budanilkantha and stay the first night in Shivapuri (2,563m) and reach Chisapani on the second day. In that case, you need to go camping as this route has no lodging facilities.
Pharping and Champadevi Hike
Duration: 1 day
As this is a short one-day trek, you can do this with your entire family. After an early breakfast in Kathmandu, set out to Pharping Buddhist monastery located at the foot of southern hills in the Valley, which is only a one-hour drive.
On Tuesday and Saturday, one can watch devotees from the surrounding villages, and the local agricultural produce market gives a good insight to village life.
The next place of interest is the beautiful and traditional Newar villlage of Pharping. You can then climb up the hill of Champa Devi for about three hours, enjoying the serenity and great views of the Valley as you climb higher.
Once you reach Champa Devi, you can rest and enjoy your lunch and further enjoythe beautiful views of the Valley from the summit. If the weather is clear, you also get to see the magnificent panorama of Gauri Shankar and Langtang Ranges.
You can then descend and visit the two villages of Bungmati and Khokana by walking along the trails used by farmers in the open farmland.
These two Newar villages are famous for their untouched culture and architecture. You can visit the main temple of Rato Machhendranath while you are in Bungamati and enjoy the local duck chhoyla and other Newar snacks that the place is famous for.
Contact: If you would like to have professionals guiding you through the trek, call Great Holidays Pvt Ltd at 4880990 for prior booking of the above short tours.
BIKING
Life Cycle Ride
Duration: 3 days
A fairly new destination, Life Cycle Ride takes you to Hetauda, a mere three-hour drive from Kathmandu. Here, you can explore the countryside on either side of the winding Rapti River on bike or foot.
Unlike the steep, unforgiving mountains further north, the hills around Hetauda make for tailor-made challenges, whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro. Prime your skills at the brand new, challenging pump track at the resort, and then head out for a tour along rice fields, around farmhouses, through quiet forests, and down single-track and free-ride delights.
The best part of this tour is, after a challenging ride or an all-day walk, you can come back to the comfort of the Life Cycle Resort and relax in pools with clear natural spring water.
Itinerary
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Hetauda at Life Cycle Farm House. Take a four-hour drive to Hetauda via Pharping and Dakshin Kali or mountain bike for seven hours. Upon arrival, retire to your cozy rooms and have a pleasant lunch made from all-organic produce from the farm and dive into
the pool.
Then the afternoon ride in the east side of the farm to Uttarpani and drive to the danda (hill) which consist of 70% of single track and half-hour gradual climb, and then a swift single track back through the forest to the farmhouse where your BBQ dinner awaits.
Day 02: Another adventurous morning ride (approx 4hours). After an early breakfast, gear up your bikes and head out to the south, riding to Simpani Village in the Churiya Hills. The ride is mainly on jeep tracks through many Tamang villages. Head back to the farm for lunch, and the late afternoon again calls you for a jungle ride (approx three hours) through the Sal forest.
Day 03: Drive back to Kathmandu. After a hearty breakfast, take some rest; check all your belongings and head back to Kathmandu with great moments to cherish.
Contact: Introduced as a new package by Epic Rides Nepal, contact them at 5555021 or 5521120 to book this tour.
DIRTBIKING
Dirt biking to Lo-Mustang
Duration: 6 days
The rugged landscapes of Lo-Mustang (Lo Manthang), with its rocky trails, offer all dirt bikers an exhilarating experience to appreciate the beauty and variety of the scenery, and a chance to be away from the chaos of city life.
One of the series of adventure initiatives operated by Yeti Travels Pvt. Ltd the Lo- Mustang journey takes you through majestic Mustang landscapes, snaking your way through the hills of the Trishuli, all the way around the Marsyangdi, the mighty Kali Gandaki River, snow-capped peaks, through local villages, past lush fertile pastures, and the pine forests all the way up to the Himalayan desert of Lo-Mustang.
Gather a group of likeminded bikers and ride away, led by an experienced tour manager and support crew comprising bike mechanics and a 4WD support unit with driver.
Itenerary
DAY 1: Kathmandu – Pokhara. Once out of Kathmandu, the ride to Lakeside Pokhara is a good five hours of some fantastic scenery. Stopping at the Riverside Springs Resort at Kurintar for lunch, it continues onwards for the first overnight stay at hotel and dinner at Lakeside, Pokhara.
DAY 2: Pokhara – Kalopani. After a breakfast meet to discuss the day’s route in detail, the trip sets off. It is a completely off-road ride from Beni onwards, stopping at Tatopani for lunch. Photo sessions follow in the next stop – the famous Rupse Chahara (waterfall). Past Ghasa, the trip heads towards overnight stay at a lodge in
Kalopani.
DAY 3: Kalopani – Muktinath. The ride starts from Kalopani passing by Tukuche, Marpha and Jomsom. From Jomsom, the trip heads towards Kagbeni to Muktinath and back to Jomsom. Muktinath (3,900m) is the furthest point, and a high altitude reached on this tour. Located within a national park, the temple is under state protection because of its historical, cultural and environmental importance.
DAY 4: Jomsom – Tatopani
DAY 5: Tatopani – Pokhara
DAY 6: Pokhara – Kathmandu
Contact: For this adventurous trip, contact Yeti Travels at 4221234 or visit their website www.yetitravels.com.
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