Two Brothers trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp

"Follow me down to the valley below
You know
Moonlight is bleeding from out of your soul."-(Lazarus by Porcupine Tree).

Every time, this song reminds me of my trek to the Mardi Himal. From riding the extreme offroads to listening to my best music above the clouds, this trek will always be special. How can I forget that moment when we(my brother and me) both all tired and cold took a nap on the lap of Himalaya and the first rays of morning sun welcomed us with some warmth. It's simple but it makes me happy when I remember.

Overview
Destination: Mardi Himal Base Camp(4450m)
Days required: minimum 3 days
Cost:10,000 Npr is enough
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Season: Except for extreme winter or monsoon

Day 1(Kathmandu to siding)

It was December of 2017. My birthday, our holiday, and winter. Everything was perfect for the trek to happen. So, on Dec 22 at around 6 in the morning me and my brother started the journey towards Sidhing. The plan was to reach low camp the very first day. We can start the trek directly from Naya pul too but we chose the sidhing route. The way to Pokhara was smooth and fast. The real adventure began as soon as we reached Pokhara and took a way towards sidhing. The first few kilometers were ok but then the road began to change from bad to worst. My brother was riding the bike and I was trying hard to stay balanced and that was tough. The view was nice though and the mount macchapuchre was getting bigger and bigger. What not nice was the road. Thank god that the bike didn't give up in the middle of nowhere. We could see a hotel at the top of a hill. Little did we knew that it was our destination for the day. The name of the hotel was Hotel Trekkers home. As we reached the hotel we found out that the trekking route was right from there. Actually,sidhing is the return route of the Mardi trek from where the trekkers reach Pokhara through jeep facilities provided by that very hotel.

It was already around 4 pm and after lunch, at the hotel, my brother was all pumped for the trek as it was his first trekking ever. Our initial plan was to reach low camp by the evening but plans made at home merely work sometimes. The lady at the hotel suggested not to start trekking at that time because it was getting darker and there was no stop between the hotel and low camp.No one wants to be in the middle of the forest at night. So, we decided to stay at the hotel that night. That evening went good. It went gloomy but we still had few minutes of daylight left. From the backside of the hotel, we could see all the way from where we came. It was quite a tiring day.

Day 2(Sidhing to low camp to high camp)

Woke up early and it was still dark. We started the journey by 6 am. The lady at the hotel provided us with a stick to use as a trekking pole. After 15 minutes of walking uphill, we immediately realized that starting the trek a day before at 4pm would be straight foolishness. It would end up in us being stuck in the nighttime inside the Annapurna conservation area.

I was really surprised by the energy of my brother. He was walking without a pause. On the other hand, I was often sitting and catching my breath. It was taking too long to reach Low camp and we were tired. The route is a complete uphill forest area along with the view of Macchapuchhre. The mountain was getting closer and closer. We took some 20 mins of rest and enjoyed the foods that we had brought with us. At around 10 we reached the low camp.

After having Dal vat at the low camp we left at about 11:30 to head for the high camp. We could see the high camp from the low camp but trust me it only looked near. But after walking for few minutes from the low camp we could see the mountains. The view was so spectacular that it was like a painkiller for our body ache. It was what I wanted. I was looking at my brother seeing the mountains that close for the first time. He is not so into these traveling and wandering. We further continued our journey. The entire Annapurna mountain range was on our side throughout the trek after. Mount Machhapuchhre was right in front of us. We reached the high camp at about 4pm and we were extremely tired. It was cold and it was Christmas eve that day. After booking the room, we kept our stuff in the room and came out to see and feel the vibe. I can't explain the beauty of that place at the dusk.

I felt like we were in some different world up above the clouds. The wind was cold and the tea was hot. We had one more point to reach tomorrow.

Day 3(High camp to Mardi Himal base camp)

Yes, man from high camp to base camp we managed to reach Kathmandu by 11 pm at night. Dec 24, my birthday. Woke up just before dawn. We were first to leave the camp for the base camp. I wanted that perfect sunrise view from the upper viewpoint. So, with the aid of mobile flash me and my brother started the journey.20 minutes into the walk and we were gaining altitude.Cold December morning and oh man I can't explain that view right now. It was still dark. But the horizon seemed like it was catching fire. We were cold and then we could see each other's breath. Upon reaching the high point we were so tired that we took a rest and the rest turned to a short nap. How can I forget that moment when we(my brother and me) both all tired and cold took a nap on the lap of Himalaya and the first rays of morning Sun welcomed us with some warmth.It is simple but it makes me happy when i remember.

The mountains were majestic and the sky was clear. The wind was cold and the sun was warm. It was my perfect place to be in. I played the song Lazarus by Porcupine Tree and this very song will forever give me nostalgia for that particular moment.

My brother sang me the happy birthday song at that place and I will cherish that moment too. So, after that, the returning journey started. It was all downhill trek to sidhing.Its difficult but it is faster too. By 4 PM we reached sidhing, started the bike, and reached home by the night.

Memories made and bucket list checked.

Facebook

Instagram

Youtube

A solo bike ride to Kalinchowk

Overview

Destination:Kalinchowk temple on a top of a hill at 3800m

Days required: minimum 2 days but if tried then can do in 1 day too.


Difficulties: Easy

Best Season: All season except peak monsoon

Essentials: dry foods, waterproof shoes, and clothes, and power banks.


Main attractions: Kalinchowk Bhagwati temple, mountain range, and snowfall.

     Picture: stairway to heaven????


After completing the ride and the hike my desire for solo travel ignited.

Actually, my initial plan was to go there on a motorbike with my neighbour friend. Since I had R15 back in 2016 I was pretty sure it is not the type of bike to take it to such a place as kalinchowk.So on 13th Sep I left my bike at my best friend's home who is also an army now(shoutout to sworup lol) and brought his fzs back to my home. But unfortunately or fortunately the friend of mine canceled the trip and I decided to go there alone. Although Kalinchowk is 1 day ride away from Kathmandu and our country Nepal is quite safe to travel alone(as people are often good and helpful in rural areas) I was quite nervous because it was my first solo travel that far.

Day 1

So on 15th Sep woke up early at 5 am and left for the trip. To be honest, after Dhulikhel I didn't even know the road that goes to kalinchowk.I had been up to Tatopani but had no idea about this route.

After riding for several hours, I stopped for food at a place which I forgot the name of now. Man the food was horrible because I stopped at the wrong place assuming it was a hotel but it was a home.

On reaching Kharidhunga, the landscape changed. It was a beautiful place. I took some rest there and snapped some pic too. Since it was still monsoon the road was muddy and slippery.

I rode and rode till I reach the place near charikot from where the road splits for Kuri village. Kuri is the village from where an hour of the hike takes us to the kalinchowk shrine. The last road for vehicles also ends in Kuri village.

After leaving the main road and riding towards the Kuri the real adventure began. The houses started thining and all of a sudden I found myself riding alone in an offroad section in forest area so foggy that I thought if it was a good decision that I made to be at that particular unknown place? The road was a challenge for even a dirt bike so u guys can imagine what my situation was on a street bike.

It was an 18km road to Kuri village and it felt like forever. All I could do was to pray that I don't get stuck in the middle of nowhere and the bike would not fail. It was a real struggle to reach to kuri as during the monsoon it's all muddy and during the winter it's all snow. I really wish that 18km of road section be pitched when I go there again.

On reaching kuri I felt like a conquered something big(lol). I was all wet and soaked. The village can be seen from up above the road. During winter there is snow everywhere and it looks stunning. There are plenty of hotels and lodges at kuri and in the off-season, there is no problem in finding one. It's cheap too. However, during winter people from Kathmandu valley go there for enjoying the snowfall so the bookings should be made earlier.

After finding the room and having a hot noodle soup I went outside to explore the place. It was a cold man. All thanks to me for bringing a cap and jacket. It was like 5pm and the fogs were disappearing. The temple could be seen from below and I was already excited to go there. I roamed here and there and took photos. At night my stomach was struggling from the food I had earlier in the day. I was feeling all alone as it was my first time but luckily the mobile signal was good and I could use FB.

DAY 2

 I was already up by 5 am. I had a cup of tea and I carried 3 eggs as my fuel for an hour of hike toward the temple. I met a group of 6-7 boys who were surprised after knowing that I made it through that 18km of offroad alone on a bike. They were ahead of me on the hiking trail. After like 1 hour and 20 mins I reached there and the view from the temple was so breathtaking.

Usually, during the monsoon the sky is cloudy and the view is not so good. But to my luck, the weather remained clear in the morning. I could see the Kuri village down. When I reached the temple the boys were already there. I asked one of them to take my photo.

The weather changed from clear to foggy in no time. I stayed there for one hour thinking how am I gonna tackle that road again. Then I started to move down towards the village. Upon reaching there it was already foggy all again. I paid the hotel some 1000 rs in total,(Room charge,1set veg dal vat,3eggs, noodle soup). Traveling in Nepal is quite cheap.

So when I was ready to leave the kuri village for my home Kathmandu it was like 9am. I was already worried about how I was gonna cross that 18 km of road. To my luck, a young boy from the Kuri asked for a lift as he was going to charikot. I don't know for what reason at first I felt a little awkward. But that kid helped me on that offroad way down to the main highway.

In the midway, it started raining. So we left the bike and took shelter near the cowshed which was by the road. As I talked with the boy he said that during winter it's all snow on the road and it is more difficult to ride that time. His father has a hotel in kuri and said they were expanding it. As the rain stopped we started riding down and as I touched the main road the boy asked me to drop him there. After that, I rode continuously to Kathmandu and I straight went to my friend's home and left his bike and took my bike home.

That's it, man. It was a good experience for me to travel alone the first time. The only thing I was let down was by the road there but hey isn't those things that make the trip more adventurous? Now recalling the place and experience I wanna go there sometime soon in the winter season too. There is now a cable car from Kuri to the temple and I heard that the road is good too.

Facebook

Instagram

Youtube
May Kalinchowk Bhagwati bless us all.