Dhunche Hike

Among the many unlooked-for treasures that are bound up and hidden away in the depths of Kathmandu valley solitudes, none more surely charm and surprise all kinds of travelers. The forests and the mountains and the wandering streams advertise their wealth in a more or less telling manner even in the distance, but nothing is seen of the valley until we have traversed them. 

It all started with a request. A friend of mine, Nirpesh requested for a hike around western mountains. Undeniably, I said yes to his request. Back in days, we did several hikes and travels together. Due to the travel restrictions, we felt stagnated at home. To escape from our daily routine, we went on a day hike around western mountains of the valley. And, we successfully completed "Dhunche Hike" together. The trial is popularly known as Champadevi Trial. 

With little group chat, we finalized our hike. Unfortunately, a friend couldn't make it because of his dentist's appointment. Then, we (Nirpesh, Eliza and her friend) decided to go to make our day. 

Four of us went on our motorbike and scooter to Taudaha, one of the biggest lakes around the valley. Then we took another way that leads to Champa Devi Temple, situated on the lap of huge mountain. We parked our motorbikes on the side of the road and headed west up the mountain. 

With so much determination and excitement, we walked uphill. While going up, we were already astonished by the view. The view of the valley looks spectacular from there. The concrete valley is no longer the same as it was before. All the arable land and open spaces of the valley are turning into a housing and corporate buildings. It seems like all the real estate companies and land brokers are mafias. Anyway, where there is development, there is destruction! It's a fact. 

 As we knew that it's a leech season, we brought salt in our backpacks, but it was not enough for four of us. We asked for a packet of salt in a nearby shop. The shop doesn't sell salt but the kind hearted shop owner took it from her kitchen and gave it to us. There is myth that we shouldn't take salt for free. So, we payed her for the 10-20 ounces of salt. Then we headed up to Champa Devi Temple. 

The trial begins from the back of the temple. After few mins of our prayers, we took the trial which leads to the top of the mountain where we wanted to finish our hike. The path is extremely wild and verdant with wild ferns, bushes and trees. As we knew that: the starting point of the trial is shallow, we were unaware about the tremendous numbers of the leeches. We couldn't stand at same place for a minute or two. They eventually crept on our shoes and body. They are extremely attracted to humans. After few mins of walking, we saw many hungry leeches on your shoes. One already bit me. 

 Two friends were so much afraid of leech that they didn't want to move ahead. At that point, we were so disappointed that our hike would be worthless. We decided to come down and calm them. The anxiety was uncontrollable. We picked out all the leeches from their shoes. Then we came back-------. Along the way, I asked my friend, Nirpesh to go up ahead and Eliza and Sujita would stay in a shop where we took the salt------. Then Nirpesh and I walked up the mountain. But before going up, we put salt all around on our shoes and legs. Leeches are halophobic in nature. 

 "This is it! The moment we have been waiting is here. Let's do it!". We were talking to ourselves. With an urge to walk uphill narrow path, we walked non stop for about 45 mins until we found two ways. One leads to the south and one goes to North. The narrow path of the forest is so wild. Soloing could be dangerous. In the mean time, there was no rain. We took that day as a lucky day. Rainy day could bring so many problems. Like, leeches would fall from trees on a rainy day. And the roads could be slippery. 

Every moment was blissful.We did enjoy the rhythmic sounds of the streams, bird songs, and the sound of the leaves as we stepped on them.

Then when we reached on the top of the mountain, there were two ways. We took the one that leads to the north. We were welcomed by the pine forest. And there were no leech at all. They don't live in alpine forest. We walked non stop for another 30 mins to reach the Champa Devi Temple. Actually, there are two Champa Devi temples, I and II. One which is situated on the top of the mountain is Champa Devi I. We actually have no idea about the temples. Maybe, one who can't walk on the mountain, can worship the temple which is situated down the mountain. 

 The view of the valley is even more stunning from the top of the mountain, 2200-2300m above from sea level. And the pine forest on the other side of the mountain looks spectacular too. There are plenty of Rhododendron trees on the top of the mountain. The wildflowers were so amazing to see. 

After few mins of prayers, we roamed around here and there and took rest. My friend, Nirpesh got stress in his legs. We needed that rest. Then we took our snacks. We didn't want to eat much. Because, it would be so hard to come down with full stomach. After finishing our snacks, we spent some time taking some pictures of us and the surrounding as a memory that we had been here. Wonderful, the hike was worthwhile anyway. We realized that the time is precious gift and we made moments with mountains, forests, streams and winding roads. 

As we knew that two friends of us were waiting down the mountain, we didn't spend much time on the top, we ran the same winding tunnel of bushes and trees where leeches were abundant. But before doing that, we put the salt water on our shoes and legs and hands in order to be safe from leech. 

It took us around 7-10 mins to come down to a place where we started our hike. Awesome, it was so much challenging to go up through that path and got so easy while coming down as we ran. We completed our hike in just 3 hours. We are one of the best hikers among friends.

Our friends who had been waiting down, were so much excited to see our phones. Eventually, when we came down, we gave our phones to them to see the photos and videos that we took along the trials. They were so happy that at least we made our hike worthwhile. And we told them to come back again through other route(Dakshinkali-Hattiban resort-Champadevi Temple) which is so much easy as far as we knew. 

We took our snacks and fruits in the same shop where we bought salt. Then, we talked so much and laughed a lot. We had our tea too. It was one of the best teas which we had. 

After an hour, we headed to Taudaha and spent another 2 hours. We fed koi fish. And we started talking again. As they knew that I don't talk much, I was talking about philosophical things only. I realized that my friends know so much about life than I do. I just get lost with nature. Time would be less if we debated on that day. I appreciated my friends for things that I haven't not experienced and not known. 

Above all, we had one of our best days, September 4,2021. At 6 O'clock, we left for home. 

In the great valley which we live on has many adventures to offer. The one which we grew up is hiking. And it still is one of our best adventures. See you all in next blog which will be even more exciting.