Anib Manandhar
Anib Manandhar
“Life is a journey not a destination”. I think this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson best suites hiking to Markhu to me. To be honest, I did not even know where our destination Markhu was located. I joined the hike team from Tripureshwor and felt warm welcome from everyone. I grabbed the front seat and had a chance to playlist my tracks. As good music started playing we reached Pharping at about 8:45 AM. But unexpected turning happened as the road we planned to head on was blocked. We tried to get information but the vehicles were not allowed to enter due to certain reasons. We had plan B to move on from different road (Dakshinkaali – Chhaimale road). The alternate route seemed fine at first and we took break to have hot breakfast at about 9:15 AM. But the road condition worsened, as we moved on. After few kilometers the road seemed more like stream, mud and rocks than the road itself. Our pilot dai, Deepak dai, immediately regretted the road we took. On the way, one syndicate people warned us, which was a hint that kept every one of us anxious. Not very far from that our vehicle’s back wheel got stuck under the stream. All the muscular guys head out to push the van out and we did. But that was just the trailer for whats about to come. The road condition got worst as we had to face deepest bumps and jolts. Again, the muscular guys started to fill the bumps with rocks and stones with only energy of chya, channa and Boiled egg. But got to admit, even though the way was bad, working together to fix road ahead of us to pass our van, felt wondrous. Plus, the view was awesome and one-of-a-kind too. With ups and downs, we somehow reached kalanki at about 9:45 AM. Our hiking route should had started from fakhel, but we planned to start our hiking here. We grabbed our bags and stared to hike. As we were late we all rushed to reach our destination Markhu. Then as we moved on, the awesome view with peaceful environment, we felt relaxed started to enjoy every part of the hike. Clicking breath taking pics from every angle we could imagine, we finally reached Markhu at about 11:30 AM. I cannot define this place we reached as it was breath taking, but say that one must be there by themselves to know about it.
The best part of this place for me was the hanging bride above the Kulekhani reservoir. The bridge was so perfectly placed above the lake, some of us felt like diving from above to the water below.
The best part of this place for me was the hanging bride above the Kulekhani reservoir. The bridge was so perfectly placed above the lake, some of us felt like diving from above to the water below. But then we thought of the consequences (maybe next time :)). The place was somewhat crowded, due to which we did not have chance to boat but we did explore further Markhu on foot. We planned to go to place called “One tree hill”, which was about one and half hour walk, and we were happy we did as the place was beautiful with wonderful scenery. The sheep farm on the hill above made the view even better and the photogenic guys didn’t stop once to take selfies. Around 2:00 PM we returned back to Markhu and we rested and had lunch at about 2:15 PM with enjoyable view. Some of us went for boating and some explored other parts of the location. As we saw Deerwalk van we rushed to get inside and get rest, as everyone was bit tired and worn out. Our vehicle then started moving away from the Markhu view, we glimpsed final look at the place as we moved out. At about 4 PM we left Markhu and tried to catch the road which was blocked earlier. Comparing to the road we came, this road seems far better. But I think all of us deep inside felt, the trip to Markhu won’t be as fun and wondrous, if we haven’t taken the “the other route”. Lastly, this was a first hike for me, since I joined Deerwalk, and I’am looking forward for more like this.
Roshan Shrestha
Markhu is a small town at the northwestern shores of Indrasarovar, a manmade lake. It serves as a reservoir to the Kulekhani Hydropower Project and is over seven kilometers long full of serene beauty. Only a few hours away from the capital it serves as a great escape from the reality. But in-spite of the close proximity people rarely visit this place of eccentric beauty. Hike of Markhu was one of the most intense and thrilling route I had ever been on my entire life. The whole event happened on a one-day hike on 10 February, 2018, on Saturday. It was myfirst hike that I had gone from Deerwalk. We left theDeerwalk Complex at 6:30am sharp, 14 members were picked from their respective stops who were selected for hiking. The last pick up was mine at Balkhu, Kathmandu then we rapidly headed to our destination. The whole route was on off road track so everyone was exhausted before starting the hike. We were supposed to take a route of Kulekhane, however the route was blocked by the local people so we had to take a different route of Dakchinkali. We stopped at Sisneri to have our breakfast and again we rushed to our destination because we were already out of time. By the information provided by local drivers the route we took was just under construction and was constructed by blocking the rivers. Our driver took lot of risk and strength to cross those difficult stony rivers. At one point our vehicle was stuck on a river, our hike members put a lot of effort to make a way by filling the rivers with stones and take our vehicle out of the river and we succeed. We had a lot of challenges and obstacle during our journey which was exciting. By the mean time we reached to Kalanki, Kulekhani at about 9:45A.M. As we took a different route, we started our hike from Kalanki, Kulekhani. We grabbed our materials and stared to hike. As we were late we all rushed to reach our destination Markhu. Then as we moved on, the awesome view with peaceful environment grabbed our attention, we felt relaxed started to enjoy every part of the hike. Clicking breath taking pics from every angle we could imagine we finally reached Markhu at about 11:30 PM. It was one of the beautiful place I have ever been in my life. Then we planned to go to place called “one tree hill” and we were happy as the place was beautiful with wonderful scenery. There was sheep farm on the hill which made the view even better and the photogenic guys didn’t stop one to take selfies. Around 2:00 PM we returned back to Markhu and we rested and had lunch at about 2:15 PM with enjoyable view. The place was crowded, due to which we did not have chance to boat but we did explore further Markhu on foot. We saw hanging bridge from far away, me and my friend rush toward the bridge which was about 500 m away from us. The bridge was perfectly place above the lake. We stayed at bridge for a moment feeling the wind, looking towards the hill. Then we move towards the river. The water was too cold and we sat at the bank of the river putting our legs dipped into the river.
Then as we moved on, the awesome view with peaceful environment grabbed our attention, we felt relaxed started to enjoy every part of the hike.
Then suddenly I felt like swimming into the river although it was cold. So, I took off my clothes and took a deep breath and dived into the river. When I was out of the river I could not feel myself, my whole body was numb. Then I put my clothes on, we took some pictures and headed to our vehicle. As we saw Deerwalk van from above we rushed to get inside and took rest, as everyone was feeling tired. As the vehicle moved away from the view, we glimpsed final look at the place and moved out at about 4PM. This trip was fascinating for me as it was first since I joined deerwalk. I had chance to meet new people and explore new places. I hope to be on next one. Lastly, I want to suggest all to visit Markhu at least once. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
