Reshika Joshi
Day 1- 20th February, 2026
On 20th February, the teachers of Deerwalk Dhading School went on an outing to Thulo Kharka, Pokhara, also known as the Australian Base Camp. As it was the first-ever outing of the Deerwalk Dhading School staff, the excitement level was naturally sky-high.
After school, all the teachers gathered and had dinner together. However, it was far from a simple dinner. It quickly turned into a mini celebration filled with dancing, singing, and fun games. It was already clear that sleep was not going to be part of the plan that night.
At around 9:00 PM, we finally began our journey to Pokhara. Interestingly, the bus did not feel like a bus. It felt more like a moving concert hall. We sang songs, enjoyed lok dohori, and even had our own live band featuring madal, basuri, and guitar. Our talented “musician teachers” played beautifully, while the rest of us enthusiastically took on the role of dancers, with varying levels of talent, of course.
On the way, we stopped at Khanikhola, Dhading, to grab some snacks and drinks. Somehow, those snacks tasted extra delicious, perhaps because of the laughter and joyful chaos.
Overall, it was a fantastic start to the trip, filled with joy, music, and unforgettable moments with the entire DDS family.
Day 2- 21st February, 2026
We reached Pokhara at around 5:30 AM, tired and sleepy. In fact, half of us were still dreaming while walking. We arrived at Deerwalk Pokhara School, where we freshened up. Some of us immediately went to sleep in the school residence, while the more energetic ones went for a morning walk.
We met the DPS staff, who welcomed us warmly with tea and biscuits. Honestly, that tea felt like life-saving medicine at that moment. After spending some time exploring the school, we went out to buy pork and chicken for our evening barbecue. Of course, no outing is complete without TikTok, so plenty of videos were made.
At 12:00 PM, we headed to Lakeside for boating and visited Tal Barahi Temple. Some adventurous members even tried kayaking, while others preferred to remain safe and dry. Later, we had lunch at Jetho Budo, which was absolutely delicious after such an eventful morning.
At around 2:00 PM, we began our journey towards Thulo Kharka, also known as the Australian Base Camp. It took approximately three hours to reach the starting point of the hike. Once there, we unpacked our belongings and carried only the essentials.
We then walked for about two hours along a beautiful and mesmerizing trail. It was perfect for photos, videos, and of course more TikTok moments. After about 1.5 to 2 hours of walking, we finally reached Thulo Kharka, which means “big pasture” in Nepali. It was once a seasonal grazing area for buffalo and cow herders from nearby villages like Dhampus and Naudanda.
The place was incredibly scenic, surrounded by nature and open spaces. Some of our friends dropped their bags and immediately ran off to play on the swings and explore the area like excited children. We were assigned our rooms, with three people sharing each room. It was an experience that was both fun and slightly chaotic.
By then, it was almost dark, and we planned for a barbecue. However, food comes first, so we had dinner. The meal was delicious, especially the chicken soup and gundruk, which felt perfect in the cold weather.
After dinner, the real fun began. The barbecue started, and vegetables were also arranged for vegetarians. The fire created a warm and cozy atmosphere. Some played musical instruments, others danced, and music played in the background. A few started playing cards, while others, completely exhausted, went to bed exactly at 10:00 PM like disciplined students.
However, not everyone was that disciplined. A few energetic souls continued the celebration until 1:00 AM. Along with dancing, they even engaged in deep discussions about life philosophies. This proved that teachers never truly stop thinking, even on vacation.
Overall, it was a day full of adventure, laughter, bonding, and unforgettable memories.
Day 3- 22nd February, 2026
We woke up early, determined not to miss the sunrise, and it was absolutely worth it. The sunrise was beautiful and peaceful, making us forget our tiredness for a while. We all waited eagerly for a clear view of the Machhapuchhre mountain range.
Afterward, we drank warm water, freshened up, and went to explore Thulo Kharka. We saw camps where a few travelers were staying. It was interesting to observe how people enjoy nature in different ways. We spent some time taking photos and appreciating the peaceful surroundings.
At around 9:00 AM, we had breakfast, which included eggs, curry, bread, and tea. It was simple yet very delicious, especially in the fresh mountain air.
After breakfast, we began our journey back to Pokhara. This time, we took a different trail, which was equally beautiful. The path was lined with blooming laliguras flowers, and there were plenty of stairs too. Our legs definitely remember that part.
On the way, we met many tourists. In true Deerwalk spirit, we did not walk quietly. We played musical instruments, danced, and interacted with them. They thoroughly enjoyed it, and it turned into a fun cultural exchange.
At one point, we got separated into three groups, but fortunately, everyone managed to find their way back. After about an hour, we all regrouped on the bus.
The fun continued in the bus as we resumed singing, because we never seem to run out of energy for music. After about two hours, we reached Begnas Tal.
We ordered lunch at a nearby hotel. Before eating, we went boating in Begnas Lake. We visited a temple in the middle of the lake, made videos, and enjoyed the peaceful ride. Some adventurous members even tried kayaking again.
After boating, we returned to the hotel and shared our experiences over lunch. The meal was excellent, featuring fish curry, mutton curry, and chicken curry. It was truly a feast after all the activities.
At around 4:00 PM, we began our journey back to Dhading. Some of us were completely exhausted and ready to sleep, while others still had enough energy to play antakshari and dance on the bus.
We stopped at Mugling for tea and continued our journey. We reached Dhading at around 10:00 PM. On the way, we had dinner at Jungekhole, dropped colleagues at their homes, and finally returned to Deerwalk Dhading School.
It was truly a wonderful experience. We enjoyed every moment, and more importantly, it was a meaningful team-bonding journey that created memories we will cherish for a lifetime.
