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NETIF
arranged this promotional hiking event to help
showcase the last section of the Kathmandu Valley
Cultural Trekking Trail and to promote Rural
Tourism, Cultural and Environmental Preservation in
areas of the Kathmandu Valley. This event covered
the leg of the KVCTT from Namobuddha to Balthali, a
three to four hour hike through the beautiful
country side. The hike was attended by local people,
Ex Pats, Press and Media Representatives, Nepal
Tourism Board and Visit Nepal Year representatives
as well as NETIF staff, guides from Kavre Guides
Association and representatives from Dhulikhel
Mountain Resort and BalthalI Village Resort.
Our day started in the cold and dark of Kathmandu
Streets. Meeting at the Nepal Tourism Board, it was
all aboard the “Namobuddha Express” for the ride to
Dhulikhel. We left behind the city streets and
passengers relaxed as rice fields and rural villages
opened up before us, leaving the dust and stress of
the city well behind.
A delicious breakfast was presented at Dhulikhel
Mountain Resort. Guests sat amongst the lovingly
tended gardens and colorful flowers and then the
clouds cleared and we were graced with a glimpse of
the Himalaya, Langtang and Dorja Lapka Ranges. A
welcome speech was presented by Arun Shrestha,
NETIF’s President highlighting the day’s program,
talking about the importance of the environment and
rural sustainable tourism and of course Visit Nepal
2011 year.
Back on the bus it was a short yet bumpy ride to
Namobuddha, we had a few hiccups along the way due
to a couple of buses getting stuck together on the
small road, it’s all part of the adventure in Nepal.
Some skilful driving and navigation soon got us
through the gap and to Namobuddha Monastery. On
arrival we were welcomed by the local village
coordinator and committee with some traditional “Sui
Chiyaa” – Tibetan Tea which was hoped would give
hikers the power to climb the short yet steep hill
to the main Monastery.
The hike proceeded from the old Stupa and headed up
the hill to the Shrine where people could offer
butter lamps to the figure of the Lord Buddha
offering his flesh to a starving tigress and her
five cubs. From this hilltop shrine there are 360
degree views of the rural area, natural jungles,
Himalaya and windswept prayer flags. Such a
beautiful place. After visiting the Shrine we where
then lead by guides from the Kavre Guide Association
on a gorgeous cross country hike. The trail passed
through fields cultivated with mustard and
Buckwheat, terraced orchids filled with orange trees
bursting with ripe fruit, traditional Tamang and
Brahmin Villages and along a forested ridge down to
the crystal clear Roshi Khola(River).
Throughout the hike, hikers where treated to views
of the snow capped mountains and the rolling
foothills of the Himalaya. A short steep climb took
us up to Balthali Village where we got to sample the
juicy sweet oranges picked straight from the tree
and warmed by the late afternoon sun. Local
villagers welcomed us with flower malla’s, singing,
traditional music and dancing. From the village the
group sang and danced its way up the hill to the
welcoming hospitality of Balthali Village Resort
where a delicious feast of traditional food was laid
out for hungry hikers.
At the resort, media representatives took time to
mingle with the crowd and talk about the hiking
route and feelings for the day. Just before the sun
kissed the Himalayas good day, we headed for the
short hike to Kopasi Village where we met our bus
for the journey home.
Many thanks to supporters of the Event , Nepal
Investment Bank , Dhulikhel Mountain Resort, Kavre
Guides Association and Balthali Village Resort.
Thank you also to all participants for making it
such a wonderful day.
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