Alisha Thapa Magar
On November 16, 2024, our team went on a hiking trip to Simba Falls, also known as Manikhel Waterfall. It’s a peaceful and beautiful spot famous for its stunning views and refreshing waterfalls-"Simba" means "very cold water" in the Tamang language. Hidden in a remote area, this place offered the perfect opportunity to connect as a team, enjoy nature, and take a break from our usual routine.
We started our journey early in the morning, leaving Deerwalk Complex at 6:45 am after everyone had gathered. Some staff joined us from Koteshwor and Satdobato. We were all excited for the hike, as none of us had been to Simba Falls before, and we were ready for a memorable adventure. Our route took us through Satdobato, Chapagaun, Lele, Bhardeu, Gotikhel, and finally to Manikhel. We stopped for breakfast at 9 am, then continued the bus ride, arriving at the hiking spot around 11 am. After handing out snacks and water to all the staff, we took our first group photo at Shree Mahakal Madhyamik Vidhyalay and started hiking at around 11:15 am.
Since the route was unfamiliar to us, we decided to ask some local villagers for directions, and they were kind enough to guide us along the way. During our conversation with them, we learned about the floods that had affected the Manikhel area between September 26 and 28, which showed nature's power. It took us three hours to reach our destination, and the journey was both exciting and challenging. We reached Simba Falls at 2 pm. Once we reached Simba Falls, we took some photos and relaxed for a bit. We shared some snacks, chatted, and talked about our experiences at Deerwalk, which brought us closer together as a group.
The hike was risky due to the narrow and slippery path, so we had to move carefully to avoid accidents. Some of the group members struggled with the difficulty of the hike and needed to stop and rest. At one point, we stopped at a local house and bought fresh cauliflower at very reasonable prices, many of us taking some home. After a long day of hiking, we finally reached the bus stop at around 3:30 pm. On our way back home, we stopped at Lele Manakamana around 6:45 pm to enjoy a warm dinner, which was the perfect end to the day. The atmosphere was lively as we returned, with many of us singing and dancing to songs. The most popular songs of the journey were definitely "Rukum Maikot" and "Ma ta dhale dhale". By the time we got to the campus, it was around 8 pm, and we were once again on familiar ground, ready to continue with whatever we had planned for the rest of the evening.
This hike to Simba Falls was more than just a trip-it was a fun, adventurous day filled with teamwork, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
