Monday, November 29, 2010

ORGANGE BLOSSOM HIKE 27th NOV. 2010



NETIF arranged this promotional hiking event to help showcase the last section of the Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail and to promote Rural Tourism, Cultural and Environmental Preservation in areas of the Kathmandu Valley. This event covered the leg of the KVCTT from Namobuddha to Balthali, a three to four hour hike through the beautiful country side. The hike was attended by local people, Ex Pats, Press and Media Representatives, Nepal Tourism Board and Visit Nepal Year representatives as well as NETIF staff, guides from Kavre Guides Association and representatives from Dhulikhel Mountain Resort and BalthalI Village Resort.

Our day started in the cold and dark of Kathmandu Streets. Meeting at the Nepal Tourism Board, it was all aboard the “Namobuddha Express” for the ride to Dhulikhel. We left behind the city streets and passengers relaxed as rice fields and rural villages opened up before us, leaving the dust and stress of the city well behind.

A delicious breakfast was presented at Dhulikhel Mountain Resort. Guests sat amongst the lovingly tended gardens and colorful flowers and then the clouds cleared and we were graced with a glimpse of the Himalaya, Langtang and Dorja Lapka Ranges.  A welcome speech was presented by Arun Shrestha, NETIF’s President highlighting the day’s program, talking about the importance of the environment and rural sustainable tourism and of course Visit Nepal 2011 year.

Back on the bus it was a short yet bumpy ride to Namobuddha, we had a few hiccups along the way due to a couple of buses getting stuck together on the small road, it’s all part of the adventure in Nepal. Some skilful driving and navigation soon got us through the gap and to Namobuddha Monastery. On arrival we were welcomed by the local village coordinator and committee with some traditional “Sui Chiyaa” – Tibetan Tea which was hoped would give hikers the power to climb the short yet steep hill to the main Monastery.

The hike proceeded from the old Stupa and headed up the hill to the Shrine where people could offer butter lamps to the figure of the Lord Buddha offering his flesh to a starving tigress and her five cubs. From this hilltop shrine there are 360 degree views of the rural area, natural jungles, Himalaya and windswept prayer flags. Such a beautiful place. After visiting the Shrine we where then lead by guides from the Kavre Guide Association on a gorgeous cross country hike. The trail passed through fields cultivated with mustard and Buckwheat, terraced orchids filled with orange trees bursting with ripe fruit, traditional Tamang and Brahmin Villages and along a forested ridge down to the crystal clear Roshi Khola(River).

Throughout the hike, hikers where treated to views of the snow capped mountains and the rolling foothills of the Himalaya. A short steep climb took us up to Balthali Village where we got to sample the juicy sweet oranges picked straight from the tree and warmed by the late afternoon sun. Local villagers welcomed us with flower malla’s, singing, traditional music and dancing. From the village the group sang and danced its way up the hill to the welcoming hospitality of Balthali Village Resort where a delicious feast of traditional food was laid out for hungry hikers.

At the resort, media representatives took time to mingle with the crowd and talk about the hiking route and feelings for the day. Just before the sun kissed the Himalayas good day, we headed for the short hike to Kopasi Village where we met our bus for the journey home. 

Many thanks to supporters of the Event , Nepal Investment Bank , Dhulikhel Mountain Resort, Kavre Guides Association and Balthali Village Resort. Thank you also to all participants for making it such a wonderful day.

1 comment:

  1. Hiking's one of the best thing to do if we wanted to experience new adventure for our travel. It gives us fresh views of what it looks like when we're down there.


    ______________
    Jean

    What I do: Loved handling any travel jobs | travel job as long I'm happy with what I'm doing. That's just how I make use of my time and as well as effort.

    ReplyDelete