Reshika Joshi
One beautiful Sunday, 31st August, we planned to go hiking and biking. We were all super excited, and the idea was inspired by last year’s Langtang Trek. Although we had planned this trip a long time ago, it was finally happening!
Before the big day, we drew chits to decide who would be the Rider and who would be the Pillion. That moment was pure entertainment! Some people were happy with their partners, while a few looked heartbroken because they couldn’t sit with their “preferred” rider. But since this was a team-building activity, the rule was clear: you’ve got to mix, mingle, and survive together!
On that day, we all gathered at Kalanki, Khasi Bazaar, at 6:00 a.m. All eleven riders and eleven pillions were ready for adventure. The rainy weather had its own mood swings, so instead of 6:00, we kicked off at 6:30. But since we were the daring DDS crew (yes, Daring, Dashing, and Slightly Stubborn), a little rain was never going to stop us. Some came on scooters (brave souls!) while others zoomed in with their brand-new motorbikes. The unspoken competition of “Who’s the best rider?” had already started. We zoomed across smooth highways, bumpy roads, gravel patches, and muddy stretches that felt like mini landslides. One group took the Nagarkot route, while another headed toward Dhulikhel. Guess what? The Dhulikhel squad reached Dolalghat first and proudly flaunted their victory.
By 8:30 a.m., the whole gang gathered at Dolalghat for breakfast. The sight (and smell) of fish frying in the pan was too tempting to resist. We devoured fried fish and sadheko fish, while the vegetarians munched happily on their “potato specials.” Just when we were full and satisfied, the hotel boy tried to scare us: “The roads to Sailung are really muddy and dangerous. Don’t go!” But come on, we are on an adventure! So, with a dramatic “Whatever comes, we’ll face it,” we set off again.
The ride was dreamy at first, smooth pitch roads through quiet, green woods, with raincoats on, some friends singing, and even a speaker blasting music. It felt like a mini road concert. But once the muddy stretches arrived, reality hits hard, especially for the scooter squad. The roads were so bad we had to throw stones to make a path and literally push scooters through the mud. That was next-level team bonding!
After six long hours of thrills, slips, and muddy struggles, we finally reached Sailung. Parking our bikes, we started the hike. Tired? Yes. Excited? Double yes! The trail was a long staircase, and the scenery was so beautiful that we had to stop for photos every few minutes. Someone even compared it to the “Great Wall of China,” and from that moment, we proudly renamed it the “Great Wall of Nepal.”
Forty minutes (and countless TikTok videos) later, we reached the famous Land of 100 Hills. At 3,146 meters high, Sailung offered jaw-dropping Himalayan views—Everest and beyond. Sailung is also known as the “navel of the Earth” (Prithvi ko Naito), and we were able to see this sacred spot there, adding a deep spiritual meaning to our journey. The fresh air, the rolling hills, and the spiritual vibes made it unforgettable. Some of us screamed with joy, some threw bags aside and lay on the grass, a few meditated, while others clicked away like professional photographers.
On top of one of the hills stood a view tower surrounded by several gumbas, which enhanced the beauty of the place. To climb the tower, we bought tickets. At the base, a kind lady was offering free tea to everyone. Since we were feeling cold, we couldn’t resist. After sipping tea, we climbed to the top of the tower. Some of our friends joked that the tower wouldn’t hold all of us, making everyone laugh. From there, we admired the sensational view of Sailung. Unfortunately, the sudden arrival of fog hid the mountains from sight.
We stayed for about two hours, enjoying tea and the fresh air. On our way down, we again had tea and bought “churpi” from an elderly woman. No one wanted to leave, but we had no choice. Back at the bike parking area, we took a group photo on the stairs. There was also a small tea shop, so we all enjoyed another cup of tea before taking more photos with our bikes and riding back.
On the return journey, those on motorbikes managed the muddy road more easily than those on scooters. Once we completed the rough stretch, we saw some of our friends enjoying spicy “chatpate.” Later, in Mude, we decided to stop for dinner. Some of us were completely soaked from the cold and fog, so they changed clothes at the hotel where we ate. The food was delicious, especially since we were all tired and hungry. By 7:00 p.m., we left the hotel and rode back towards Kathmandu.
The road passed through dense forests, and a few friends were afraid they might encounter wild animals along the way. Some thought it was too late to be travelling, while others even joked about ghosts. The heavy fog made driving more difficult, but we all rode together in a line, which felt fantastic. Unfortunately, when we reached “Zero Kilo,” one of our friends’ bikes broke down and wouldn’t start. Some friends who had gone ahead stopped when they heard about the problem. We searched for a mechanic but couldn’t find one right away. By then, it was already 9:00 p.m. Eventually, we found a mechanic who wasn’t very skilled but tried hard to fix the bike. After an hour of struggle, the bike finally started, and we continued.
However, not long after, the same bike broke down again. Only four of our colleagues remained at Zero Kilo, while the rest had already gone ahead. Finally, they left the bike at one of the garages, and two of our friends rode in the tipper, turning it into an unexpected adventure ride. That’s how we finally made it back home—by midnight, muddy, tired, and full of stories to laugh about!
Looking back, the trip was much more than just biking and hiking; it was about friendship, laughter, teamwork, and pushing beyond our limits. The muddy roads, the breakdowns, the fog, and the unexpected hurdles only made the memories richer and the bond between us stronger. Sailung rewarded us with its breathtaking beauty, but the true reward was the joy of sharing this adventure together. As we finally returned home, exhausted yet glowing with happiness, we knew this journey would stay in our hearts forever—a story to tell, an experience to cherish, and a reminder that the best adventures are the ones we take together.
