Last week, the Everest uncensored team wanted to explore the natural beauty of Okhreni. It is a bhanjyang (pass) lying approximately at the altitude of 2000m above the sea level. From the vantage point of deurali, the northern ridges of Phulchowki range can be seen rising from Panauti along the banks of Roshi and the trail from Sundarijal to deurali at Okhreni village is one of the best that the north of Kathmandu has to offer. The mountains Langtang (7246m), Dorje Lakpa (6988m), Dome Blanc (6830m), Gan Chenpo (6397m) are seen at the north. A mane (shrine of religious significance) can be found at deurali presumably constructed by Lama Priests. Furthermore during the month of Chaitra, it is said that a religious fest is organized. At the bhanjyang, there is an expansive lawn aptest for a camping ground. However a solo endeavor is not recommended due to ample stories of cattle being dragged by tigers and leopards from the Shivapuri National Park. Not to mention wild boars that can give a good chase when provoked. 

Figure1: The thrill of crossing Bagmati on foot and the ecstasy of its purity. The team began its hiking essentially from the bus stop at Sundarijal. After a mild fifteen minutes walk through stone steps, we reached an army check-post. A fee of twenty rupees (as of October 2006) has to be paid per person at the entrance to continue the rest of the journey. After leaving the army post, in just few minutes we arrived at a junction where three trails converge. We could see a massive building that served as a summer palace during the Rana regime but now owned by Nepal Scouts. The trail to the right leads to few picnic spots in the local vicinity. The trail straight onwards leads to the famous Sundarijal reservoir. However there is a small trail to the north-west that leads to Okhreni. There is even a small placard that says "this way to Okhreni," in devanagiri script. 

Figure 2: way to Okhreni This is not the only trail from Sundarijal to Okhreni. One can walk past the reservoir all the way to Mulkharka and then take the gravel road to the left. However, this north-western trail is highly recommended and not without good reasons. Foremost this trail follows the river Bagmati from at the point where it pours into the reservoir to its origin near Baghdwar. The trail moves through lush woods, is pleasant, and not at all steep. After starting on this trail for a few minutes, an old decapitated building is encountered. It has an eerie appearance and with all sorts of writings on the walls. Walking past this building, one meets Bagmati slowly moving towards the reservoir. It brings joy to see the river this clean without any trace of pollution whatsoever. And along with this joy also hope for the future. After crossing Bagmati by foot, the hike began towards Okhreni village. 

Figure 3:People at work in the millet field. It is the harvest time for millet. The hike to Okhreni actually begins when the trail meets the gravel road. The most prominent feature of this junction is the bridge over Bagmati, and an old picnic shelter. When one is walking towards the bridge, a small trail can be seen towards the right. This trail is the one that leads to Deurali. As one continues on this trail, Bagmati can be seen flowing to the left, silently and slowly. By and by she swerves into the heart of the Shivapuri forest away from the hikers, who continue on the upward assault. And after sometime she is seen no more. By this time the scanty houses in the Okhreni village start to appear closer and closer. The ripe kodo(millet) and mustard fields, blooming Marigold, green hills, deep blue sky and warm October sun brings the mind to a standstill. One of the markers of this trail is the Baghdwar primary school which can be recognized by its cemented white structure and cyan colored windows. Unfortunately there is no sign board bearing the name of the school. Older children from this village go to the Okhreni Secondary School at the foot of Sundarijal, some forty five to thirty minutes walk away. It takes approximately one and half hours to get to deurali from the primary school. And not more for us as well. At the top, two more prominent trails are visible. The one on the right passes through the dense forest to meet Borlang bhanjyang from where, one can hike down northwards to Chisapani. Another trail continues straight downhill and connects to the gravel road some fifteen, twenty minutes later. Once at the gravel road, if one walks to the right, the lodges at Chisapani come to sight. Moving towards the left side takes one to Gurje Bhanjyang. 

Figure 4: Leave the ridges 

Figure 5: What does she ask for? 

Figure 6: Descending 

Figure 8:Taking pics. 

Figure 8: The valley in the morning 

Figure 9: The team 

Figure 10: Old but lovely house 

Figure11: A close look 

Figure13: I am gonna fall 

Figure14: Peculiar flora 

Figure15: Butterfly on the stone 

Figure16: Towards the height 

Figure17: The beautiful village at the lap of the peak towering to the sky 

Figure18: Is it a gorge? 

Figure19:Lovely house 

Figure20: Picturesque 

Figure21: . In between 

Figure22: How clean: The Holy Bagmati 

Figure23: The village 

Figure24: The Houses 

Figure25: A wider view 

Figure26: Which is more beautiful: the water, the flowers or the rainbow? 

Figure27: The Dense forest 

Figure28: Muddy path 

Figure29: Steep but green 

Figure30: The habitats: for human beings and the animals 

Figure31: Yet not so old 

Figure32: But getting cold 

Figure33: The flower bed 

Figure34: Will those flowers be used next Tihar? 

Figure35: The ripe millet 

Figure36: Clean and green 

Figure37: An UTTIS tree 

Figure38: The yellow and the green dense 

Figure39: Millet: Ready for harvest 

Figure40: Are they for sale? No boss. 

Figure41: . Lovely but difficult trail 

Figure42: Close to the destination 

Figure43: Up and up 

Figure44: The Himalayas at the north 

Figure45: Wider view of the Himalayas, but under the fog 

Figure46: Now descending 

Figure47: The rock 

Figure48: Lunch is over. 

Figure49: We too are taking 

Figure50: Umm! 

Figure51: The peaks at the sunset 

Figure52: The sloppy hills 

Figure53: The blue sky and the moon 

Figure54: The shadow and the light 

Figure55:Inside the corridor? Not at all 

Figure56: The high mountains 

Figure 57: The hills and the Mountains 

Figure 58: The moon in the sky