Pathivara Hike

Some people walk on their own because they feel within themselves. After hiking every month for a year 2076 B.S. (2019-20 A.D.), twice in a month, sometimes thrice in a month, I did enwind my solo hike with "Pathivara Hike". With traveler at heart, I lived the moments in the wild exploring my solitude with endless possibilities. Sometimes hiking is not just about to aid the physique, however, it supercharges our grey matter too. With an unvarnished act of exploring, we can easily boost our brainpowers. 

In all honesty, I recruit new skills on every hike, for instance, keeping a pace, building up a strength, map reading, managing time, building a range of motion and so on. After all as a photography enthusiast, I manage to have a great eye sight. 

Now moving on with "Pathivara Hike", that I named it after 'Pathivara Temple' which is situated on the foothills of Dolchoki. It was one of my full blooded hikes because I had not walked like that before. Although it was strenuous, I came home with fond memories that I made along the trails.

There are many ways to get Pathivara Temple. There are 3 motor ways and one of them is highly risky. I used the river way to reach there. I actually like to see the river along the trails. It was festival day, Falgu Purnima or Holi and I took that day for granted. I hit the trail around 10 am from the western side of the Chapagaun. Through river way, I went to Pari, neighborhood of Chapagaun in order to see the mustard fields. Well, it was early spring and the ambience gifted by yellow color was eye distracting. 

Moreover, after few mins of taking photos of Pari, I headed to Charghare through water canal way where suspension bridge is built over the Nakhhu river connecting two villages. I was exhausted after walking about an hour from home. I decided to take rest on suspension bridge for few mins. It was amazing to see bucolic scenery all around standing on the middle of the bridge. Then, I crossed the bridge and took the forest way which leads to Tika Bhairab. That narrow forest path is one of the dangerous ways and people walk this way more rarely. This 10-15 mins forest path determines whether or not you can walk further trails which are deep in the woods! 

I used the tactics which I usually do. Instead of wasting time on taking photos and videos in such wilderness, I walked as fast as possible holding a camera stand in my hand. I didn't run because that narrow path is made through the edge of the huge mountain to the other side. With one small mistake, you could slip away from more than 100 ft to the river down below.

After 10 mins of forest walk, I reached Tikabhairab. Now, Tikabhairab is situated on the bank of Nakhhu river and is surrounded by huge mountains from all sides. It is the mouth of all hiking trails. From here, we can go to the different places or mountains, for example, Devichaur, Deurali, Tinpane, Dolchoki, Manakamana Temple I, II, Pathivara Temple, Bhardev, Phulchoki, and so on. Fortunately, I hiked all these mountains this year one by one except Phulchoki, probably highest mountain of the valley. It is because, we should have strong guts to hike Phulchoki solo.

I headed to Nallu from Tika Bhairab through river way. The river water was so gin clear on that day. But I didn't see any fish in the river. While walking through that way, I felt extreme sorrow because the river is not the same as it was before and the mountains are being crucified for stone and other purposes (construction). Whatever, the trial is amazing for a day hikers as the trial is on the deepest gorge where river is flowing on its side. I was amazed after seeing huge rocks dating back to more than 1000 years. I chased the birds singing on the banks of the rivers. And I kept on walking for another 2 and half hrs further to reach Nallu Bazaar. Along the way, I passed few villages of Nallu. I saw old aged people gazing their herds on the steep mountains. Some were working on their fields and some young people were celebrating Holi. 

Now, after reaching Nallu, I saw Pathivara Temple on the mountain from a distant. Wonderful, I crossed the river and I walked up the mountain through winding path to the temple. I was saying to myself;"This is it! The moment that I have been waiting for so long is here with me now".  I spent few minutes around 15 mins at the temple (worshipping and taking rest). It was sunny day and the views from the temple was jaw dropping. I walked further up the mountain and I had snacks somewhere on the middle of the mountain. Then after supercharging with some homemade foods, I went to Dolchoki residing on top of the mountain. Unfortunately, I felt so much pain in my leg while going up.  And I was worried and thought that how could I reach home! Simultaneously, the trail started to engulf by the daytime mist.  I could hardly see the way. I felt the moment of walking on bleary trails. When I was on top of the mountain, I made a phone call to my brother to take me home. You know! The pain was unbearable. But he couldn't able to come as he was also traveling somewhere with his friends. Sadly, I was on my own, I walked down all the way from Dolchoki to the Tinpane through huge forest beaten road. And from Tinpane, I was walking all alone to Tikabhairab and a kind man offered me a lift to Tikabhairav. When I reached Tikabhairav, I made phone call to my cousin brother to take me home. I walked again to the Charghare where my cousin brother was waiting for me to take home. This is how I completed my last hike. It was a totalled challenge. 

When I reached home, I got so much stressed and pain. But I was happy to be home. Sometimes, unbearable pain brings great pleasure. It was one of the best hikes I ever did so far. I walked deep in the gorge and on top of the mountain. If only you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know? How magnificent it is to be on the top of the mountain?

The rewards which I got from that hike were inexpressible. Maybe I got phytochemicals provided by trees to fight against bacteria and fungi. Maybe I boosted my mind and immune system. Or, maybe, I had a good day to remember. To sum it up, hiking can have the long lasting impact on the plasticity of our brain. Next time, I use new route to reap away extra rewards.

Footsteps on The Far Western Nepal

Despite the fear which I had on my mind, I came out from my comfort zone and took one of the longest road trips to the far western Nepal. Far western Nepal is yet one of the untouched, unexplored and and unspoiled regions of Nepal. I was one of the fortune travelers to make pure contact with it. It has oodles natural habitats such as national parks, river, lakes, protected areas where one could have best time of all.

                     

The traveling plan was made all of a sudden. On 31st December, 2019, I packed my backpacks with an essential things and left Kathmandu, the biggest city across Himalayas on a midnight tour bus. It was chilling cold night and I was wondering to myself that how would I spend rest of the time on a night bus for 20 hrs. After passing winding road of Naubise and perilous road of Muglin, I had a light dinner at Rampur with the rest of the passengers. After that, we headed for Chitwan. I was awake and things were going well until the drunken man appeared out of nowhere in/on the middle of highway road who was trying to cross the road. The driver suddenly put the brakes on wheels with mighty effort and took the wrong lane in order to save the life of drunk man putting everyone at risk.
Furthermore, while doing it so, the bus almost hit the heavy loaded truck coming from the other side. That twist and turn almost killed everyone. We were just inch away from collision. Later, we thanked the driver for saving us from 'almost happened mishap'. It was almost new year 2020 when that accident happened. After about half an hour of discussionabout the refund of broken and shattered rear view mirror, we headed to Butuwal through East-West Mahendra Highway.

With no sleep at night, well! (How could I close my eyes!) after thinking that horrible mishap in my head, I was looking out all night through bus's window. My heart pounded when day broke into light, the first morning of 2020 and at that time, we were passing through Bardia National Park. I didn't notice that the bus had already passed Banke National Park.
Banke-Bardia national parks are two consecutive national parks of Nepal which is separated by Kohalpur. In order to make footsteps in far western Nepal we have to pass through these national parks via east west highway which is built in the middle of the forest. I noticed that that the speed of any vehicle should be limited here. If you are too slow or fast, army will enquiry you for why you were slow or fast! It was awe inspiring to see herd of wild deer on the side f the highway road because I have not seen deers in the wild before.

After passing 2 national parks the bus stopped at Chisapani for breakfast. Chisapani is situated on the bank of Karnali river where single tower Karnali bridge is made. Under that landmark bridge, torquoise water flows providing life to the aquatic animals, birds, wild animals and human.

After having my breakfast, I went to see Karnali river from its bank.It seemed water was flowing slowly but in reality, the current of flowing water was so high. I was amazed to see how big the river was! It is home of river dolphin too.

Now, Far western Nepal journey began. After spending half an hour at Chisapani, the bus headed for Attariya where my friend lives.
First day at friend's house was amazing. Everything was homely. After having 3 hrs of nap, we (friend and I) went for evening walk to the riverside, neighborhoods of my friend's village. The atmosphere was truly bucolic. I was experiencing walking on open plains for the third time. You could see someone walking as far as possible. The best thing about the village is that there is no pollution at all which is obvious. At the same time, people are also nice and kind. They treat outsiders very well. The day spent well. I met my friend's family who are very kind to me. Although, I don't talk much, we had wonderful chit chats. Well, my friend has big land where they could have anything they want.

Next morning, after having a tea, we left for Mahendranagar, one of the biggest towns of far western on a local bus. Unfortunately, the locals had blocked the highway because of accident which happened few days ago. We had to walk for few minutes and then we got an auto to the Mahendranagar. We had a lunch, Dal, Bhat, and Tarkari at Mahendranagar town. And we headed to Dodhara Chandani. They are 2 villages which are connected by Dodhara Chandani suspension bridge and are connected to India from the other side.

Dodhara Chandani Suspension Bridge(1453 m) lies on the south-western corner of Nepal almost bordering to India. The bridge connects a remaining landmass of Nepal across the Mahakali River which otherwise acts as the natural frontier between the two countries. Mahakali River flows along Nepal's western border with India in the Himalayas. It is formed by the joining of two streams of headwaters, the Kalapani River (or Lipu Gad) descending from the western border of the Lipulekh Pass and the Kuthi Yankti river descending from the Limpiyadhura range. It takes the name Kali River from the union of the two streams at Gunji as it flows through the hills. After Brahmadev Mandi (near Tanakpur) it enters the terai plains where it is called the Sharda river. Flowing southeast into Uttar Pradesh, the river joins Ghaghra, a tributary of the Ganges.

It was an amazing experience to see 2 huge things at a same place. The longest Dodhara-Chandani bridge and huge Mahakali river flowing under that bridge made my day. That day's plan was actually to make footsteps on last 2 villages of Nepal and make a jungle safari in Sukhlaphanta National Park. Unfortunately, because of time limit, I had to miss jungle safari and couldn't able to see tigers in the wild. I hope I will make jungle safari next time.

Next morning, after staying 2 nights in my friend's house, a friend of mine and I left to Dhangadi airport. Along the way, I got a chance to visit main places of Dhangadi. We had to wait almost an hour for airplane. We said goodbye to eachother and I thanked him for everything. And I flew back to Kathmandu. 4 days seemed 4 hrs to me. The time was limited otherwise, I would have traveled to Khaptad National Park.

This is how I summed up my 4 days of road trip to far western Nepal. We can easily get itinerary for far western Nepal from internet. I just don't want to share it. I had the most challenging, intriguing and enriching experiences about the culture, language of the far western Nepal. Through this travel, I learned about the unfamiliar culture, language and foods. The best part of my trip was to make footsteps to the far western Nepal. Now, I have to travel eastern Nepal before I get ready for Himalayas. It was beneficial travel in many ways than just to broaden my mind. I have many things to know about Nepal.