Prapya Mishra
Kavya Sedhain
As part of our school’s annual winter trek program, our class went on an educational and
recreational trip to Pokhara and Kalabang. This journey allowed us to explore nature, culture,
and local traditions while spending quality time with our friends and teachers.
On the first day, I arrived at school early in the morning around 5:30 a.m. After all students and
teachers gathered, we boarded the bus at around 6:00 a.m. Before starting our journey, we took
some group photos. During the journey, we were provided breakfast, which included muffins,
donuts, fruit cake, and mixed fruit juice. We had several short breaks along the way and stopped
at Blue Heaven, Malekhu, for lunch. Most students rested or slept during the long bus ride.
After many hours of travel, we finally reached Pokhara, where the weather felt warm and
pleasant. Soon after, we arrived at Kalabang Ghaderi, our first destination. The view from there
was beautiful, and we could see mountains and greenery surrounding the area.
At Kalabang, a kind local lady welcomed us and served cinnamon black tea and popcorn. After
resting for some time, we went to our homestay rooms, unpacked our belongings, and relaxed.
In the evening, a live karaoke program was organized. Students danced, sang, and enjoyed the
lively atmosphere. A campfire was also arranged, which made the evening even more
memorable.
For dinner, we were served traditional Nepali food in a brass plate. The meal included rice,
spinach, cauliflower, and chicken broth. The food had a very organic and cultural village taste.
At night, we went to sleep around 9–10 p.m. The homestay room was made of red mud and stone
tiles, which kept the rooms warm and cozy and gave the place a traditional and aesthetic look.
On the second day, we woke up early and were served black tea. Then we went on a short hike to
the Peace Pagoda, climbing a long flight of stairs. Although tiring, the effort was worth it as we
witnessed a beautiful sunrise. We also learned about the Buddha statue and its historical
background from the locals.
After returning to the homestay, we had breakfast consisting of boiled eggs, selroti, and
chickpeas. Later, we visited the house of Amrit Gurung, a famous Nepali songwriter. The house
was over 110 years old, which made it historically significant.
After packing our bags, we left Kalabang and visited a local school and a coffee plantation,
where we learned about coffee farming. Then we traveled to Pumdikot, visited the Mahadev
Temple, and bought some souvenirs. Next, we visited Devi’s Fall and learned about how it got
its name. We also explored Mahadev Gufa, which was crowded and humid, with a small
Mahadev statue inside.
Later, we enjoyed boating at Fewa Taal, which was fun but tiring. In the evening, we checked
into a four-star hotel called Hotel Niwas. The hotel was modern, spacious, and comfortable. We
were served snacks such as french fries and veg pakoras.
After freshening up, we had dinner at the hotel and later attended another bonfire program,
where grilled chicken sekuwa was served. We returned to our rooms and rested for the night.
On the final day, we packed our bags and had breakfast, which included bread, butter, sausages,
sweet corn, masala chai, and coffee. After checking out of the hotel, we visited Deerwalk
Pokhara School, where we played games such as tag, badminton, and ice and water.
On our way back to Kathmandu, we again stopped at Blue Heaven, Malekhu, for lunch. Finally,
we reached Deerwalk Sifal, marking the end of our winter trek.
The winter trek to Pokhara and Kalabang was a memorable and enriching experience. It helped
us learn about Nepali culture, history, and rural lifestyle while also strengthening friendships and
teamwork. Overall, the trip was enjoyable, educational, and unforgettable.
Arina Sonar
Our school organized a winter educational trip from January 10th to January 12th. The trip was
both educational and enjoyable, providing us with valuable experiences and memories. I was
extremely excited about the journey. I woke up at 4:50 a.m., which made me feel proud of
myself as I usually find it hard to wake up early. I brushed my teeth and got ready quickly. I
wore the new grey trousers I had bought the previous day. My mother and I reached school at
6:06 a.m.
All of my friends were already there. We stood in a queue to board the bus and clicked a few
pictures in front of it. Our journey began at 7:12 a.m., and we ate breakfast on the bus. We had
lunch at Blue Heaven Restaurant on the way. The meal included daal bhaat, French fries with
extra masala, Bok Choy (Chinese saag), fried chicken, and fried fish, which was my favorite.
The fish was fresh and sourced from the riverside opposite the restaurant. During the journey, I
felt some discomfort due to air pressure, which affected my hearing, but chewing gum helped.
After talking and laughing together, we finally reached our destination.
We walked to Kalabang Gharedi Homestay carrying our heavy bags. After unpacking, we
changed into our pajamas. In the evening, we enjoyed dancing around a campfire, which felt
energetic and joyful. After a tiring day, we went to bed immediately.
The next morning, we woke up at 5:30 a.m. and were served black tea by Aama (the lady who
served us in homestay), who was very caring and loving. The tea helped keep us awake. We then
went to Kalabang Gharedi Buddha Park, carrying our cameras. The park had a large Buddha
statue in the west, a beautiful sunrise in the east, Machhapuchhre in the north, and the Kalabang
Gharedi Panitankey surrounded by greenery and forests in the south. The place felt peaceful and
serene.
Later, we walked to a picnic spot where our local tour guide briefed us about the area. One of the
most interesting places we visited was Amrit Gurung’s birth house, which was over 150 years
old. Amrit Gurung is known as a living legend for his talents in poetry, filmmaking,
photography, music, singing, traveling, and songwriting. We returned to Kalabang Gharedi,
packed our belongings, and had breakfast. The breakfast included fresh eggs, sel-roti, and black
chickpeas. I especially enjoyed the sel-roti, as it was fresh, crunchy, less oily, and tastier than
any I had ever eaten before.
After breakfast, we visited Pumdikot, Devi’s Fall, and Mahendra Cave. We then traveled to
Hotel Niwas, where everything felt luxurious after our local stay. I shared a room with one of my
friends and slept deeply on the soft bed.
The next morning, we woke up, changed our clothes, and had breakfast. The breakfast was
neatly presented and included corn flakes, milk, coffee, milk tea, spicy potatoes, bread with jam
and butter, sautéed and salted vegetables, and fresh fruits. We then placed our backpacks in the
mini bus and headed to Deerwalk Pokhara School. We took pictures, explored the school, and
enjoyed our time there. After that, we returned to Kathmandu with a fun and adventurous
journey.
This trip taught me many valuable lessons. I learned that there is a significant difference between
local life and city life. Kalabang Gharedi offered fresh and healthy food, including locally
sourced chicken and eggs. The environment felt warm and homely, especially because of the
care provided by Aama. In contrast, Hotel Niwas offered tastier and more luxurious food,
although it was not as healthy as the local cuisine. The campfire, dancing, and warm hospitality
at Kalabang Gharedi felt far more personal and comforting than the hotel stay. Overall, the
winter educational trip was a truly memorable experience that helped me understand cultural
values, differences in lifestyle, and the importance of simple living.
Prapya Mishra
Our school organized a winter educational trip to Pokhara–Kalabang from January 10th to
January 12th, 2026, with the aim of providing students with experiential learning beyond the
classroom. All students arrived at school at around 6:00 a.m., and the journey began at
approximately 7:30 a.m. We had breakfast between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m., which included a
chocolate doughnut, a slice of sweet bread, a cupcake, and fruit juice. As we traveled along the
highway, we admired the scenic beauty of rivers, hills, and landscapes. We stopped at Malekhu
for lunch before continuing our journey. After nearly eight hours of travel, we finally reached
Kalabang.
We stayed at a local homestay, where we were warmly welcomed and served popcorn and black
tea. After freshening up, a small cultural program was organized in the evening. Students sang
songs, danced, and gathered around the fire. The day ended with dinner and rest.
The next day began early, at around 5:00 a.m. In the morning, we visited Buddha Park in
Kalabang, where we enjoyed sightseeing and took photographs in a peaceful environment. From
there, we could clearly see the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre mountain ranges. At that time,
Machhapuchhre appeared dark and snowless. We also observed a newly built picnic spot before
returning to the homestay for breakfast.
After breakfast, we explored the village and learned about rural life. We visited houses that were
more than a hundred years old, observed goat-farming practices, and visited the home of the
popular singer Amrit Gurung of the Nepathya band. After completing the village tour, we
returned to the homestay for lunch. The local people then bade us farewell following Gurung
cultural traditions.
We then traveled to Pokhara, where we visited Pumdikot Mahadev and the World Peace Pagoda.
We also enjoyed boating on Phewa Lake and visited the Tal Barahi Temple. In the evening, we
reached our hotel, had refreshments, and walked around Pokhara city. We viewed Pokhara
Disneyland from outside and explored souvenir shops. Later, we returned to the hotel and
enjoyed a barbecue and campfire. Because of the cold weather, sleeping was difficult at first, but
after receiving warm quilts, we were able to rest comfortably for the night.
On the final day, January 12th, 2026, we woke up at around 6:20 a.m., packed our bags, and had
breakfast at approximately 6:40 a.m. Afterward, we visited Deerwalk Pokhara School, where we
observed the school environment and facilities. At around 8:20 a.m., we departed from Pokhara
and began our return journey to Kathmandu. We stopped at Malekhu again at around noon for
lunch. In the evening, we reached our school safely at around 6:00 p.m., marking the successful
completion of the trip.
In conclusion, the winter educational trip to Pokhara–Kalabang was both enjoyable and
educational. We learned about culture, village life, natural beauty, and teamwork. It was a
memorable experience that I will always cherish.
