KATHMANDU, Nov 2: People from almost all nooks of the country can be found in Kathmandu Valley, while the local residents are most often charged for not being adventurous enough. But lately people, especially the younger generation, are exploring their love for travelling. 

Hike for Nepal, an initiative that started two years ago, has been organizing many one-day trips around Kathmandu where one gets to experience beautiful scenarios of and around Kathmandu Valley. It can be a chance to experience the untouched rural life that still exists in the outskirts of Kathmandu.  

“After the 2015 earthquake, domestic tourism dropped immensely. So, we started Hike for Nepal as a campaign to boost tourism in July the same year along the Nagarjun circuit so as to send the message that Nepal is safe for travel in a more realistic and practical manner,” co-founder Ganesh Sharma shared.

Ganesh looks after the operations of Hike for Nepal with Dinesh Poudel and Ghanshyam Sharma. All three of them were co-workers at Mega Adventures International Pvt Ltd before they initiated Hike for Nepal. It was a small campaign in the beginning, but the continuous flow and requests from people kept Hike for Nepal going and it has grown to a point where people have started requesting and suggesting them to do the trip even more frequently. Only on October 28, they finished their 57th successful hike along the Balthali-Khopasi circuit.

But deciding the circuit takes rigorous research. First, one or all among the co-founders go on a survey of the circuit themselves to decide how feasible the circuit would be for the hikers. Then, they decide on a date, decide on a price, create an event on Facebook and to boost it, call all hiking enthusiasts. 

What stands interesting is that they have never opted for extensive marketing strategy, neither do they plan to. Facebook has been their only tool of marketing so far, yet, it is still working out well for them. Those who have hiked with Hike for Nepal come again for another experience, either alone or with some other friends. Some are regular hikers and there are as many new hikers every time. And the highlight is the increasing number of female hikers.

The hike can be a freeing experience, but one has to abide by some rules while hiking with Hike for Nepal. Like one cannot smoke or drink while on the trip and go around on their own without supervision. Also you are required to interact with others in the group throughout the circuit.

Increasing hikers mean more business. But rather than profit, Hike for Nepal is investing money for charity. “Most of the money we collect goes to charity. We have donated to flood victims, schools and for library reconstruction as well as sponsored school uniforms,” said Ghanshyam regarding their operations.

 “Many people have approached us to arrange day hikes outside Kathmandu as well. There are no plans for branch expansion at present. We want to continue doing what we have been but we will also introduce more circuits to embark upon,” Dinesh shared. “Also those who hike frequently complain that the hikes are short; they are requesting for longer and frequent hikes. And our focus is to meet their demand.”

Though travelling is a fulfilling experience on its own, a busy life in Kathmandu most often does not allow spare minutes to spend for fun. But for those working, there is one Saturday every week and it’s up to you how you wish to spend that day. You can laze it off, reconnect with your peers or have a day-out and connect with nature.