Isha Shrestha
Name: Isha Shrestha
Grade: XI, Pangboche
Roll: 25064
A Hike from Dudhpokhari-Champadevi to Taudaha
Introduction:
This report describes a one day hike to Champadevi Temple which lies on the top of a hill, located in Kirtipur municipality, Kathmandu. This is the third highest hill around Kathmandu valley which is at a height of about 2280 meters. The hike was taken on 24th February, 2024.
Hike Overview and the Trail:
The Champadevi trail is a perfect route for outdoor explorers and nature lovers. Champadevi is also well known for its panoramic view which includes a variety of landscapes like lush greenery and forest offering a mesmerizing view of surrounding hills and valleys along with a little glimpse of peaks like Langtang Lirung. It is a quite difficult hike and beginners are not to be recommended. It takes about 4-5 hours to reach the top of the hill from the foot. The best time to hike Champadevi is from March and November including the Spring and Autumn seasons when the temperatures are moderate and the weather is mild and stable, and when the flora and fauna can be explored.
The hike started from Dudhpokhari, Kirtipur route though there are multiple routes leading to Champadevi. We can reach there from Farping, Hattiban and Dakshinkali routes as well. Along the route, a variety of plant and animal life were encountered on the trail including different types of fern, wild mushrooms, thorny plants appearing as cactus but not actually cacti, huge trees with unique looks, mini bamboos, variation in the colors of leaves according to the difference in the altitude, etc. We also encountered huge eagles gliding near us which made us amazed and totally shocked. After reaching a certain height, Kathmandu valley can be observed and hikers can get to view the beautiful surrounding hills and some mountain peaks at some distance.
Hiking Experience:
The hike to Champadevi was one of the unforgettable takes. The weather condition was stable on a sunny day with the support of the forest’s cool temperature. At some point when we felt weak and unable to continue the hike, we had some fresh fruits and cold water which hyped us to continue the hike. We encountered many challenges such as slippery roads, huge stones and broken trees blocking the way. Some of the members had to go through muscle cramps and altitude sickness but still continued the hike with the help of each other and reached the destination.
Highlights:
- Exploration of natural beauty and variety of plant life including scenic views.
- Suitable weather and climate supporting this hike to Champadevi.
- The experience we gained from this adventure was worth it despite the challenges and hardships.
- The coordination and fun environment contributed to make this hike successful and worth it.
Learning Outcomes:
The Champadevi temple is located in the hilly region and it is a hindu temple which is believed to be built to dedicate Goddess Champadevi (one of the several manifestations of Goddess Parvati or Durga). We learned about the environment around that place and people. The children were playful and the adults were helpful. The ecology there gave us a feeling of peace and we learned about many plants and their suitable habitat.
Conclusion:
The hike to Champadevi will be stored in our memories as a lovable event with the exploration of nature blended with several challenges that we faced and experienced for the first time. The trail gave us the joy of enjoying and observing nature’s scenic beauty. Overcoming obstacles together as a team was the best thing about this hike. The stable weather and climatic condition helped us a lot throughout this journey and it added extra enjoyment to the hike.
In conclusion, this hike to Champadevi was worth it and we are glad that we chose to join this hike. The beauty of the nature, the view and the environment of Champadevi hill fulfilled our hearts and we got to learn the importance held by that beautiful place.
Recommendation:
The hike to Champadevi is a difficult one so, it can be quite hard for beginners whereas for professional and experienced hikers, this hike can be the most refreshing and enjoyable experience due to the involvement of scenic beauty, nature and the interesting trail. We recommend this route for all the hike lovers.
Name: Gaurab K.C.
Grade: 11 ‘Changla’
Roll: 25006
HIKING TO CHAMPADEVI
Introduction:
We, the students of Grade XI were taken on a hike on Saturday, 24th February, 2024. The destination of the hike was the Champa Devi Temple on the third largest hill in Kathmandu, which made the overall hike more fun and adventurous than the previous one we had. The destination stands at an astounding elevation of 2285 meters which convinced us that the view from there would be mesmerizing.
Hike Overview:
We left the school at around 9:30, and got to the foothill in half an hour. We couldn't start the hike right away since the other bus took more time to reach there. In the meantime, we stocked up on supplies, purchasing bottles of water and some snacks for the road ahead in the nearby local shop. When the other bus did arrive, we grouped up and began the hike.
The trail was rustic, to say the least. While the greenery surrounding the trail was gorgeous, the actual road we needed to walk in was in fact odd. In the beginning, at the base of the hill, there lay a few hundred meters of evidently new paved road surrounded by trees. The smoothness of it was easy on our feet, only for now. However, the incline which we had to climb was truly harsh. The trail was steep, and progressively rising. There was still human habitation, although they evidently kept decreasing.
The real journey began after the paved road ended and all there was left to walk on was muddy road littered with rocks. As we kept going, the trail kept getting muddier. The slippery road wasn’t the only challenge, however, for the true risky one was the litter of massive boulders and tree trunks cramped at the edge of the hill. We had no choice but to climb on to keep moving forward. The humidness of the area made it ever so risky crossing them, for if we slipped, there was a pretty good chance of bashing your head on one of the boulders. Although the trail was intimidating, it was surprisingly easy to cross with a bit of caution, proving that it is us who stop ourselves from achieving things sometimes.
Hiking Experience:
The hike was really a memorable experience, not only because of the company of our friends, but also because of the clear sky which brightened up our moods. The lightly sunny day accompanied with the humidness of the environment made for the perfect cool place to hike. Although, the hike itself had made us burn hotter making the cool weather mostly irrelevant.
We took a break every fifteen to twenty minutes or so. Taking time to drink some water and take in the breathtaking scenery of the valley. On the way, we encountered some prickly and seemingly suspicious plants that probably were poisonous so we made sure not to touch them, which proved to be quite difficult for some people since they were accustomed to grabbing onto any branches while ascending upwards.
We did get lost on the way. The presence of multiple trails confused our group on where to go. In the end, we resorted to asking other people who were kind enough to give us detailed directions. But the massive trail to the temple surrounded by trees kept messing with our sense of direction.
Nevertheless, we arrived at our destination, after hours since we started the hike. We finally took a long break, taking time to wash our hands, and have the bit of lunch we had carried in our bags. We had plenty of time to catch our breath and explore the area as we were waiting for the other groups which lagged behind.
Highlights:
- The view of Kathmandu Valley proved to be mesmerizing, letting us appreciate the beauty of the valley from another perspective.
- The destination provided us with more beautiful sceneries and some holy locations like a stupa nearby and the Champadevi temple itself.
- The trail also gave us an opportunity to find various species of mushrooms growing under the tree trunks and the rhododendron trees.
Learning Outcomes:
The hike also proved to be quite educational. We uncovered many aspects of the area like ecology, lifestyle, and culture of the local people. The area supports many species of plants of which some are indeed poisonous, although only enough to cause rashes. Many species of fungi are also supported. The main type we encountered appeared to be of a light yellow color, I believe these mushrooms belong to the species of Pleurotus citrinopileatus.
We also uncovered that the people in this area mainly open shops to tourists to make ends meet. Granted that this place is a hot tourist destination, business seems to be doing alright for them. The people in Champadevi temple were offering roasted corn, soft drinks, and other items to tourists.
Conclusion:
To wrap up, this was an incredibly joyous experience. The hike itself made us feel like a protagonist of a fantasy novel going for an adventure. Well, the view from the top did feel fantastical, the charm of the valley encapsulating us. Personally, I liked the trail. Granted, it was awful at times, it made me feel adventurous. Therefore, this hike was a fantastical journey with great peers to keep us company and it was truly an unforgettable experience.
Recommendation:
Hiking does feel taxing to the people who don’t partake in it often. When they do, they often end up defeated and don’t see the reward associated with it. However, if you like to paint, paint the scenery after you reach the destination, if you like music, play your favorite instrument there. Now that’s what makes it truly enjoyable. Take my word for it.
Name: Himanshu Gautam
Grade: 11 ‘Khumbutse’
Roll no: 25034
A HIKE TO CHAMPADEVI
Introduction:
We were filled with excitement as we began our trip to Champadevi, through the hidden forest way on the south-west hilltop of Kathmandu Valley. This holy peak, which rose to a height of 2,285 meters, offered us both amazing views and a close relationship with the natural world.
Hike Overview and the Trail:
We got on the bus at precisely 9:20 am, excited to get started on our journey to Kirtipur. When we left school, we had thought that the trip would be easy. But when the muddy road to Dudh Pokhari caused our bus delay, our joy turned out to be short-lived. We endured in the face of this delay and waited for half an hour for the other bus before continuing on our journey. We arrived at the walking destination in Kirtipur at 10:40 AM, and without wasting any time, we started our trip uphill.
We reached Pushpalal Park at 11:00 am and made our first stop there. We made the most of our time by taking pictures of beautiful scenes while we waited for our friends to arrive. We had a small diversion of the track when we missed our way. We had to stop until our teachers could get us back on course. Continuously moving forward uphill through the forest, we arrived at our goal at around 2:00 pm, where we enjoyed a much-needed lunch in the peaceful surroundings. We also took group pictures there. We paid homage to the Champadevi temple there.
Even though we arrived on time, we had to wait for our friends who arrived later. We made the most of our time taking in the group's companionship and the natural beauty of the surroundings. We had only two hours left before descending the hills.
We started to descend at 3:30 pm, making our way back down the town. As we went by Taudaha at 6:00 pm, we were brought back to the peaceful times we had spent in the embrace of nature. We got on the bus and came back to school at 7:00 pm, ending our amazing hike that had been full of adventure, friendship, and the amazing beauty of Kirtipur and Taudaha.
Hiking through Kirtipur and Taudaha was an exciting experience of contrasts; the beauty of clear skies was combined with the difficulty of rocky paths. Even though our journey was filled with bright sunshine, the truly challenging part was navigating the extremely hazardous and slippery terrain we came across.
Hiking Highlights:
- Beauty of Scenery: Hikers were treated to breathtaking views and attractive scenery throughout the way, enhanced by the sunny weather, providing unforgettable moments of natural beauty despite the difficult road conditions.
- Adventure: The hike gained excitement from navigating the hazardous and slippery paths, and participants' sense of resilience and success increased as they overcame the difficult landscape.
- Bonding and Memories: Hikers were able to form enduring memories and friendships among the similar challenges and victories of the journey by taking lunch and snack breaks while walking.
- Rich biodiversity with lush forests, including rhododendron blooms.
- The local communities living in nearby villages often engage in agriculture and tourism-related activities.
Conclusion:
Finally, Champadevi reflects the spirit of Nepal's natural and cultural legacy, providing a fascinating combination of visual beauty, wildlife, and spiritual significance. For hikers and pilgrims alike, its breathtaking views, diverse ecosystem, and connections to the local community make it a must-visit location that will leave everyone who walks its routes with lifelong memories of adventure .
Recommendation:
In order to have a happy and successful hiking experience in Champadevi, you must be well-prepared. Due to the region's diverse topography, which includes rocky routes and steep rises, hikers should make sure they are physically fit, have the right footwear, and have hiking sticks. I recommend this hike route for the people above the age of 16 since it poses a lot of challenges.
