An in-depth account of my unforgettable journey to KALINCHOWK and JIRI: A pictorial exploration, By Anand

The tradition for our university was to organize two educational tours during the undergraduate course of Bachelor students: one to Nepal and another to India. But since the COVID-19 pandemic, it is only to Nepal that the two trips have been scheduled. This year, for our second (and last) study trip, we decided to explore Kalinchowk, a small Hindu sanctuary, perched at an altitude of 3800 meters on an isolated peak in central Nepal, and Jiri, which is often dubbed the Switzerland of Nepal, due to its luxuriant natural setting with its alpine forests, magnificent mountains, fast-flowing rivers, high passes, and mountain villages. Here are the highlights of my incredible journey through the beauty of Nepal.

Day 1: Embarking on the adventure  

On September 29, all of us, including teachers and students, commenced our journey from the premises of Kathmandu University at approximately 9:30 AM. After travelling nearly 2 hours by bus, we made a pit stop at « SIMLE » for lunch, spending nearly an hour there before resuming our journey to “Kuri Village”. En route, in the bus, we sang, played music on the speaker, and danced.

On the way to Kuri, we stopped at a place named « Nigale, Sindhupalchowk, » where we visited a potato seed production center that was launched by the Swiss government to uplift the lives of the local population. The Swiss government later collaborated with the Nepal government and finally handed over the project to Nepal. This agricultural center has pioneered the development of diverse strains of potato seeds, customized to meet the specific demands of farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural industry. It is noteworthy that this center cultivates various potato varieties renowned in Nepal as « Mudeko Aalu”.

We then visited the Temperate Fruits Rootstock Development Center in Boch, Dolakha, which focuses on Kiwi cultivation. There, various molecular techniques are used to produce disease-free and virus-free Kiwi seedlings, which are then sold to farmers; kiwi fruits are also cultivated and marketed.

After our visit, we took to the road again towards our destination for the day, i.e., Kuri village. However, previous rainfalls had made the route impassable. We were lucky enough to have Boleros (i.e., vehicles in off-road conditions) handy for the cost of 5,000 rupees per vehicle, which enabled us to continue our trip. The journey was perilous, yet enjoyable due to the mesmerizing scenes of the Himalayan range. As we ascended, the temperature dropped. After about an hour and a half of adventurous travel in Bolero, we finally reached our pre-booked hotel in Kuri village.

Upon arrival at the hotel, we refreshed in our rooms, donned warm jackets due to the chilly temperature as we were at an altitude of 3,842 meters above sea level, and were served welcome tea. We then admired the beautiful evening view before having dinner. We indulged in a hearty meal that night due to our voracious hunger. Following dinner, we gathered around a campfire, we danced, and some friends enjoyed local alcohol.

Day 2: Ascending Kalinchowk and admiring the view

On the second day, a group of eight of us got up at 5 AM, feeling rejuvenated. We embarked on a one-hour hike to « Kalinchowk Temple » at around 5:30 AM. For those unwilling to walk, a cable car facility was available. The chilly temperature necessitated proper clothing, but as we progressed through the hike, our bodies warmed up with the exertion. One friend succumbed to altitude sickness and began vomiting. We took a brief pause, as he quickly resumed his hike, determined to move ahead.

After approximately one hour, we reached the summit where the Kalinchowk temple stands, at an altitude of 3780 meters from sea level. There, an exceptional panoramic view of the surrounding mountains – Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Lamjung, Jugal Himal, Shisha Pangma, Gaurishankar and many others – presented itself to our bewildered eyes.

The Kalinchowk Temple is dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati with the belief of fulfillment of visitor’s wishes and desires. We paid homage to the goddess Bhagawati, adorning our foreheads with « TIKA ». We awaited our friends arriving by cable car, leading to memorable moments together. We captured the experience through photos and videos. I purchased local « Chhurpi and chocolate » as souvenirs and acquired a thread as a symbol of Prasad (a religious offerings in Hinduism).

After a one-hour stay, we commenced our descent to the hotel, choosing a different route to admire the scenic mountains and natural hills. Engaging with local residents, we also encountered various animals like “YAK and CHAURI”.

Returning to the hotel, we indulged in a morning breakfast before embarking on our journey to Jiri. En route, we visited the Dolakha milk factory, seeing the collection of cow’s milk and the production of dairy products.

We then explored the « Dolakha Bhimsen Temple, » a revered site for those seeking success and family health.

Our journey continued towards « Charikot, » where we had lunch before proceeding to Jiri. By 4 PM, we arrived at the Hotel in Jiri; we took a one-hour rest before visiting the Jiri Technical School. The school’s principal provided insights into the school, and a field visit proved both fun and memorable, despite our encounter with leeches! While returning to the hotel, fatigue set in, and we enjoyed a restful evening. At 7 PM, we dined, after which some decided to make a campfire, while others strolled through the streets of the village, sampling local products, before we all retired for the night.

Day 3: Exploring Jiri and Thrilling Rides

On the third day, I awoke at around 6 AM and roused my roommates for our planned visit to scenic spots near Jiri. A brief walk led us to the top of a hill, which offers a panoramic view of Jiri Bazar. After spending 10-15 minutes there, we returned in time for breakfast at 7:30 AM, joining friends who were already having food.

After breakfast, we started our hike towards the « Cherdung cheese factory », which primarily processes cheese from Yak milk. We were told that it would take two hours to get there, but the walk took quite a lot longer. As we climbed, hunger set in, prompting three of us to adopt a quicker pace, and we arrived at the factory after a three-hour hike. It took some extra 30-45 min for the others to join us. After a brief rest, we toured the factory and tasted the cheese, the flavor of which seemed unappealing to me. Friends and teachers purchased cheese for their families.

We promptly returned to Jiri, goaded by hunger. After an hour, we reached the main Jiri Bazar, where we indulged in ready-made foods and momo. Once our hunger was satisfied, we booked bicycles to embark on a thrilling two-and-a-half-hour ride. Navigating steep and, at times, perilous roads, we reached the riverside to capture picturesque moments.

After this memorable ride, we returned to the hotel, refreshed ourselves, and had a light dinner, which was the opportunity to discover local food products. We were all introduced to the local drink « Jhwai Khatte, » a blend of local alcohol, honey, and other ingredients. It was my first taste, and I did not find it to my liking. The day ended at the hotel with a campfire around which we sang and indulged in conversation with close ones. Then, we bid each other goodnight, with our heads filled with spectacular images and memories.

Day 4: Sukute Beach and Rafting Adventure

On day 4, we woke up at around 8 AM and had breakfast. We left Jiri at approximately 9 AM to head towards our next destination, Sukute Beach. Six of our friends went rafting, while the rest of us had lunch before we went exploring nearby places. When they left for their rafting excursion, our 6 friends had estimated that their trip would last 2 hours, but after 2 hours there was no one on the horizon! We waited six hours killing time by playing UNO cards before they finally showed up! All of us, including the teachers and the bus staff, were frustrated by the delay, but one teacher was really upset because he had caught my friends diving from the boat in the fast-flowing river, which was really risky. Despite warnings, our friends hadn’t followed the instructions.

After the long wait, we all boarded the bus to get back home. Our teachers counseled our six friends calmly. But the bus driver was really angry with us; he initially refused to drive, as night had fallen. But he finally gave in to our requests and he got back on the road. At around 6:30 PM, we began our journey towards our final destination: Kathmandu. It was raining when we reached Kathmandu, making it a bit challenging to reach our homes at night. I arrived at the SEA Home at around 9:30 PM, ending the second tour of my undergraduate course.

Overall experience: A Journey Beyond Words

Overall, it was one of the best experiences of my life. This trip was very informative, as we visited various governmental offices related to my Bachelor course. Beyond the official visits, we thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The scenic beauty of Kalinchowk and Jiri was so mesmerizing that words cannot do justice. The landscapes were magnificent, and I feel blessed to have witnessed the beauty of Nepal in Kalinchowk and Jiri. After experiencing the charm of Jiri, I can confidently say that this place is the Switzerland of Nepal. The abundance of beautiful flowers and the views of the Himalayan range, though captured by the camera, are etched in my mind and heart. People who love traveling need to visit Kalinchowk and Jiri once in their lifetime. In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to Helen Mom and to SEA for giving me the opportunity to join this tour which will long remain indelibly engraved in my memory.