Rubina Thapa
We all gathered at the Deerwalk Complex at 8:00 a.m. Once the vehicle was ready, it dropped us off at our starting point, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park.
We divided ourselves into three groups: those who walked very fast, those who walked at a steady pace, and those who tried but struggled to keep up. We reached the park after an hour, crossing through the bustling settlements of Kathmandu. Our route was uphill from the very start. We spent the first hour at the ticket counter before beginning our climb through a forested and bushy jungle.
The fast walkers reached the top early and waited for the other two groups. At a resting place at the top of the jungle, we drank water and ate oranges we had brought with us to stay hydrated. We then continued ascending for another three hours through the jungle. The path was very steep. There were no villages or dwellings in sight, only bushes and trees all around us. It was some time before we noticed the sun shining. We realised we had already completed most of the journey when we reached the hilltop.
Surprisingly, we did not come across any other hikers during the five-and-a-half-hour trek until that point. The track was nearly deserted and exceptionally quiet, even though it was so close to Kathmandu. We heard the grunting of deer, and the constant singing of the birds energised us; it felt like heavenly music.
After a short break, resuming the hike felt like a trip through paradise. At a certain point along the way, the view of the Gokarna jungle, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, and the surrounding hills was breathtaking. Even though the trek was long, several novice hikers in our team moved slowly and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
However, after two to three hours, some of our friends were held up in the jungle. We tried to call them, but there was no network to make any contact. We decided to wait for them. Following an almost five-hour hike, we stopped for a quick lunch at Baghdwar and waited for our friends. The path consisted of stairs as we ascended once again towards Nagi Gumba and Pani Muhan. We finally arrived at Pani Muhan at around 6:00 PM. The panoramic sight of Kathmandu was simply indescribable.
We took the stairs down from Nagi Gumba to Pani Muhan. On the way, we encountered a shocking and saddening moment when we heard that someone had taken their own life, and an army team had arrived to recover the body. It was a painful reminder of how important it is to speak up, seek help, and support those who may be struggling; no challenge is worth facing alone. We were very afraid after hearing that news and grew increasingly worried for our missing friends, who were still unable to reach us. We waited for them for an hour and a half before seeking help from the army officers to find them. Eventually, we waited at the place where our bus was parked. After a short while, our friends managed to reach us. After that, we returned to the Deerwalk Complex and then to our residences, adding a unique and unforgettable layer to our life experiences.
More than just a hike, this trip served as a platform for building close relationships and mutual understanding. The hike was an excellent way for us to assess our own fitness. Discovering the undisturbed splendour of nature and walking down the jungle's natural trails genuinely transports one to another universe.
