Chanda Pandey
Hike from Kapan to Fulhari Gumba to Shadid Park Jagdol
It was a beautiful, cold morning on December 20, 2024, and the excitement in the air was intense. For Grade I students, this was no ordinary school day, it was Hiking Day! Everyone had been looking forward to this day for weeks, and now, the time had finally come. Their hearts were filled with curiosity and anticipation as they wondered about the adventure ahead. We gathered together, ready for the day’s journey. We had lunch at 9:15 AM, and with full stomachs, we prepared ourselves for the hike. Along with four teachers and a support sister, 32 students boarded the bus, ready to head towards Kapan, the beginning of the hike. Few of the students missed this hike due to their health issues.
On the bus, the energy was high as everybody began chanting Sanskrit sloks that they had learned in class. It was a fun and engaging way to start the day, and we sang together with enthusiasm as the bus made its way toward Kapan. We finally arrived at Kapan at 10:30 AM, and we couldn’t wait to begin our hike. As we stepped off the bus, excitement bubbled inside us, although some of the students felt a little nervous since it was their first-ever hiking experience. Our journey began with a lot of joy as we started walking along the trail. Along the way, we talked about the things we saw like the green vegetable farms, the towering trees, animals, and the distant hills. The natural beauty of our surroundings made the hike feel like an adventure. After about 30 minutes of walking, we reached Fulhari Gumba, but we were unable to enter because a meditation session was happening inside. At that moment, we decided to make the hike even more exciting by taking a different path toward Shahid Park in Jagdol, which was about an hour’s walk away.
We followed a narrow trail, one by one, through the forested area. As we walked, we came across a cow farm. Many of the students were thrilled to see the cows and couldn’t resist stopping to take photos with them. The path began to slope upward, making the hike more challenging, but that only added to the excitement. After a while, we found a chautara, a traditional resting place, and took a short break to catch our breath. We were all feeling the adventure but knew we had a long way to go, so we continued our journey toward Shahid Park.
When we finally reached Shahid Park, we were greeted by a small entry fee. We entered the park, took some memorable photos, and found a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy our snacks. Sharing our food with each other made the moment even more special, as we chatted and laughed together. Students were so happy to be sharing this experience with friends, teachers, and the beautiful surroundings.
Though it was time to head back, we still had some energy left, and we decided to walk a bit further. We continued down the path toward Jagdol, marvelling at the peacefulness of the road lined with trees. The cool breeze and the quiet atmosphere made it a lovely walk. Along the way, a dog started following us. Some of the students affectionately named the dog "Gucci," and it became our companion for the rest of the journey. Gucci walked alongside us as if it was guiding us, and we all enjoyed calling its name and watching it follow us with such determination. When we reached the main road, we waved goodbye to Gucci, who looked back at us as if he wanted to keep walking with us.
On our way back, the fun continued. We sang some popular Nepali songs and enjoyed the rhythm of the music as we sang. Some of the students danced on the seat along the way, creating a joyful atmosphere as we made our way back. Whereas some were sleeping and taking rest. The whole experience was more than just a hike, it was a chance to bond with each other, to learn more about nature, and to experience the beauty of the outdoors.
By the end of the day, we had not only explored new places but also learned valuable social skills, such as teamwork, patience, and sharing. The hiking trip gave the opportunity to connect with nature, with the friends and teachers in a way that a regular school day could not. It was a day full of laughter, learning, and adventure memories that Grade I students would carry with them for a long time.
