Anuja Lamichhane
Day 1: Journey Begins
The office trip began on 12th December 2025 at around 3:00 PM from Deerwalk Sifal School. Everyone gathered at the school parking area, filled with excitement and enthusiasm. Before starting our journey, we enjoyed delicious momos as snacks, which added a perfect start to the trip.
Once the bus arrived, we began our journey smoothly. The bus was filled with laughter, music, dancing, and endless snacking. Although none of us were professional singers, our enthusiasm made up for it as we sang our hearts out and enjoyed every moment together.
As the journey continued with great spirit, an unexpected incident occurred just after crossing Manakamana Temple—our bus suffered a flat tyre in the middle of a jungle area, with no shops or people around. We were momentarily stuck in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately, thanks to Suman Dai and Bishnu Dai, along with the support of other teachers and a spare tyre available on the bus, the issue was resolved. After about an hour of waiting, the tyre was fixed, and we resumed our journey.
The waiting time passed quickly as we sang everything from bhajans to qawwalis and even rock and roll, keeping the mood lively. At around 10:00 PM, we stopped at a riverside restaurant near the Marshyandi River, where we enjoyed a delicious dinner of local fish curry and rice. The meal was incredibly tasty and satisfying.
After dinner, we continued toward Pokhara. By then, everyone was exhausted, and the smooth roads quickly put most of us to sleep—thankfully, not the driver. We reached Pokhara at around 1:00 AM and checked into Hotel Asia, where everyone rested for the night.
Day 2: Exploring Pokhara and Journey to Lwang Gau
After a well-deserved sleep, everyone gathered in the hall for breakfast. Before breakfast, we went to the rooftop to enjoy a stunning view of the surrounding mountain ranges of Pokhara, followed by a quick photo session.
Following breakfast, we headed to Pumdikot, a relatively new and unexplored destination for many of us. As the bus climbed higher, the scenery became more breathtaking, with the mountains appearing closer and more majestic. From the parking area, we walked for a few minutes to reach the giant statue of Lord Shiva. The view from there was spectacular, and everyone took photos and sought blessings. It felt as though Lord Shiva was peacefully residing beneath the mountains.
Afterward, we returned to Pokhara singing and dancing and enjoyed a wonderful Thakali lunch. On the way, we bought fresh oranges and peanuts and began our journey toward Lwang Gau, enjoying the snacks along the way.
The road to Lwang Gau was narrow, bumpy, and quite challenging. Kudos to our driver for navigating the difficult terrain safely. Despite the fear-inducing road, the fresh air, hills, and stunning scenery made the journey worthwhile. Upon reaching Lwang Gau, we were welcomed by breathtaking panoramic views of Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and the Annapurna range.
Lwang Gau offered a unique cultural experience with community homestays run by Gurung, Dalit, and Brahmin families. After freshening up, we enjoyed sel roti and alu ko achar as snacks. The evening was filled with fun as we danced, enjoyed live BBQ, and later hosted our own karaoke session. The celebration continued until midnight, after which everyone went to sleep.
Day 3: Tea Garden, Fewa Lake, and Return to Kathmandu
The final day began early with a beautiful sunrise view. We then went on a short hike to the Annapurna Tea Garden, also known as the Lwang Tea Estate, the largest tea garden in western Nepal.
The uphill hike was slightly challenging, but everyone enjoyed taking photos and videos in the tea garden. The hike took almost an hour, after which we returned and enjoyed a healthy organic breakfast.
After packing our bags, we returned to Pokhara. Upon arrival, we enjoyed a relaxing one-hour boating session at Fewa Lake, which felt like therapy for both mind and soul. The calm water and peaceful surroundings made it a perfect moment before heading back.
Later, we had a delicious organic Thakali lunch, which was extremely appetizing. At around 1:00 PM, we began our return journey to Kathmandu with the same enthusiasm—singing, dancing, and laughing throughout the ride.
The journey was smooth until we encountered a heavy traffic jam near the newly constructed tunnel area toward Thankot. Due to the traffic, we reached Kathmandu at around 10:00 PM.
This marked the official end of our wonderful trip, leaving us with lifetime memories. The office trip turned out to be far more enjoyable than we could have imagined. The laughter, adventure, bonding, and shared experiences made it truly unforgettable, and we will forever cherish these moments.