Babita Malla
Introduction
On August 15, 2026, we, the teachers of Deerwalk Pokhara School, were excited to start our hike. The plan was to arrive at 7:30 a.m we all gathered at school, and around 7:35 a.m., we boarded the bus and began our journey. We picked up a few other teachers along the way. We gossiped, laughed, and shared our excitement and joy with each other on the bus. We had brought some home made foods for hiking. As most of our colleagues were not able to join this time, we all were missing them. All those interesting conversations, along with the cool breeze, made it truly wonderful.
The Trail through Pumdibhumdi
Our bus dropped us off along the Siddhartha highway, where we began our walk toward Pumdikot via the traditional village footpaths of Pumdibhumdi. Surrounded by vibrant monsoon greenery and local agricultural fields, we captured photos and recorded videos along the way. The journey grew even more lighthearted when Raju Badal Sir wandered off briefly to enjoy fresh, organic guavas directly from a tree.
Continuing along the scenic trail, we paused near the home of relatives of Tej Sir and Kalpana Ma’am, before arriving at the traditional house of our music teacher, Sunil Baral Sir. His family home featured inspiring quotes on the exterior walls and a vibrant Tulsi plant in the Aagan (courtyard). Raju Badal Sir, our Sanskrit teacher, plucked a few Tulsi leaves to chew, appreciating their natural medicinal qualities. Sunil Sir’s sister warmly welcomed us with refreshing natural spring water sourced from the local woods, and a few colleagues recorded a playful video with her before we resumed our trek.
Ascent to Pumdikot and Spiritual Blessings
As we climbed higher, we passed lush coffee plantations before stopping at a local government school to rest and enjoy our packed refreshments, including cucumbers, Gundruk achar, prawns, and fresh fruit.
A brief ten-minute walk brought us to the famous Pumdikot shrine, home to the massive statue of Lord Shiva. Enshrouded in light morning fog, the atmosphere felt truly divine, complemented by the rotating statue of Lord Ganesh at its base. Many of us entered the temple compound to offer prayers. In a lovely gesture of hospitality, a local priest who happened to be an acquaintance of Raju Sir; gifted our group three coconuts as prasad, which we happily shared. Throughout the walk, we fondly remembered Manju Miss, whose lively spirit and enthusiasm for making short videos were missed due to her illness.
Rain, Chatpate, and Childhood Joy
As we began our descent, dark clouds gathered and monsoon rain began to fall. Unfazed, we decided to pause for a quick snack break. Working together like seasoned chefs, Tikaram Sir expertly chopped cucumbers, Binu Miss opened noodles and spice packets, while Kalpana L. Guruaama and Kalpana C. Guruaama chopped onions and coriander to prepare homemade chatpate. Because we lacked bowls, Binu Miss resourcefully served the snack on noodle wrappers. Two of our colleagues, Indrani Miss and Srijana Miss, could only watch as they were observing a religious fast.
As we tried to eat, the rainfall intensified. We sought shelter at a nearby house, only for the rain to taper off momentarily as soon as we arrived. Continuing down the trail, we came across a majestic Banyan tree (Chautara). Embracing our inner child, several of us took turns swinging from its aerial roots. Laughter filled the air when Kalpana C. Miss lost her footing on the slick grass in front of her husband, Tej Sir, landing in a graceful Sashtanga Dandavat.
Shortly after, the rain returned with full force and accompanied us all the way down to Pame. Despite wearing raincoats and holding umbrellas, we were soaked from head to toe.
Descent to Pame and Cultural Nostalgia
The view descending into Pame was breathtaking. The monsoon rains had expanded the volume of Fewa Lake, creating a striking contrast against the vast, vivid green paddy fields.
Down in the valley, local farmers were busy planting paddy in the rain while sharing traditional snacks of rice and chicken curry along the field margins. The scene evoked deep nostalgia, bringing back fond memories of growing up in Batulechour, Pokhara, where locals dressed in traditional Guniyo-Choli and Fariya with headscarves worked together in harmony with the seasons.
We exchanged warm greetings with the farmers and continued along a muddy trail bordered by rice paddies on one side and a winding stream on the other. Soon, we crossed Pame’s famous "Yellow Bridge" and reached the main road connecting Lakeside to Pame, where our school van was waiting.
Meal and Evening Traditions
Exhausted, wet, and thoroughly hungry, we boarded the van and headed to Duna Tapari restaurant. We eagerly ordered a generous feast of six vegetarian, two fish, and four chicken Khana Sets. The rich, home-style meal was deeply satisfying after hours on the trail.
Next, we visited The Cutting Tea cafe in Ratnachowk, owned and operated by our colleague Tikaram Sir. The cafe offered a warm, cozy ambience complete with soft lighting, bookshelves, ambient greenery, and the inviting scent of spiced tea. We enjoyed serving ourselves from clay kettles (matka) into small traditional glasses—a perfect, comforting end to a wet afternoon.
To close out the day, five of us attended a soulful Bhajan organized by the "MRR Pokhara" group near our school's Shiva temple. The rhythmic sound of traditional instruments and devotional hymns provided a serene, uplifting conclusion to an unforgettable journey.
Highlights
- Exploring the serene, traditional footpaths of PumdiBhumdi
- Panoramic views and spiritual atmosphere at the Pumdikot Shiva Temple
- Enjoying homemade chatpate amidst unexpected monsoon rain
- Rediscovering playful joy while swinging from the aerial roots of a Banyan tree
- Stunning views of Fewa Lake and vibrant monsoon paddy fields in Pame
- Warm hospitality at The Cutting Tea and peaceful evening Bhajan
Conclusion
The hiking trip of the teachers of Deerwalk Pokhara School on August 15, 2026, turned out to be much more than just a hike. It was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen friendship, enjoy nature, create unforgettable memories, and take a break from our usual professional routines. From the peaceful foot trails of Pumdi Bhumdi and the magnificent view from Pumdikot to the green paddy fields and beautiful surroundings of Pame, every part of the journey offered something special.
The monsoon rain added an unexpected element to the adventure. Although we got completely wet and had to adjust our plans several times, the rain made the experience even more memorable. Sharing snacks, making chatpate, playing around the banyan tree, taking pictures and TikTok videos, enjoying coconuts as prasadi, and laughing together helped us reconnect with our inner child. The journey also reminded us of the beauty of rural life, traditional farming practices, local culture, and the natural resources surrounding Pokhara.
The delicious meal at Duna Tapari, relaxing tea at The Cutting Tea, and the peaceful Bhajan at the end of the day brought the trip to a beautiful conclusion. Most importantly, the hike reminded us that memorable moments do not always require elaborate plans. Sometimes, an ordinary journey becomes extraordinary because of the people we share it with.
Overall, the hike was a refreshing and joyful experience filled with nature, friendship, laughter, spirituality, adventure, and nostalgia. It will remain one of those special days that we will remember and talk about for a long time.
Recommendation
The hike was a beautiful blend of adventure, nature, culture, and companionship. Walking through the green hills, paddy fields, and villages while enjoying meaningful conversations helped everyone reconnect with nature and each other. Similar outdoor activities are recommended to refresh the mind, reduce work stress, and create memorable experiences beyond the workplace .
