So close, yet so far! Helambu region just north of Kathmandu is home of the Hyolmo Sherpa community that very few Nepalis have traveled to. Every year, me and my family, try to trek to one of the remotest regions of Nepal to enjoy and learn more about our nation with its bountiful diversity. This time, we chose the beautiful Helambu region.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”
– Mark Twain

Day 1: Sundarijal in Kathmandu (1300 m) to Chisapani (2154 m)

We took a taxi (cab) to Sundarijal through Chabahil- Boudha and started our big climb up stairs just besides Sundarijal hydro (built in 1934 AD). Our climb took us to Mulkharka village inside Shivapuri National Park. We climbed in steps like paths until the very top of Shivapuri hill (we term 2000 meter mountains actually hills in Nepal). As we descended on to the other side towards Chisapani, rain started pouring. As we reached our hotel hailstorm started pouring and we considered ourselves lucky to have avoided

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Here are some safety tips while trekking in the Himalayas in Nepal. Google around to find other travelers tips too. Meanwhile you can also read some of my trekking diaries here.

1. Many trails in Nepal have mules /donkeys as main transport vehicles. If you see mules/donkeys coming towards you, make sure you always give side on the safe end. Don’t ever stand towards the edge of a cliff to let them pass, i.e stand on the side of the cliff wall. Mules/ donkeys will not hesitate to push you off the edge as they usually (obviously) want to take the safest side in the trail!
2. Use walking sticks ( two if possible). it helps ease your balance and in some tricky situations like crossing streams or on broken paths. Trails usually go from good to worse within a day of change in weather. Sticks are a special help to your legs. You can find a pair at an affordable price

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I have a dream, to see Nepal host world’s top cycling event ‘Tour de Lumbini’ watched by 100’s of millions worldwide, just like the ‘Tour de France”.

I would like to see the world watch cyclists travel from the base of Mount Kanchenjunga (3rd highest mountain in the world, all the way through beautiful hills of Nepal down to the birthplace of buddha, Lumbini. I am sure, this would be the loveliest as well as the toughest cycling race in the world! And this would take one concrete step closer to building a prosperous Nepal within our lifetime. I decided to enter the annual ‘Tour de Lumbini’ to help fulfill this big dream I along with many other Nepalese have. ‘Tour de Lumbini’ is an annual cycling rally (not a race yet) from Kathmandu to Lumbini on the eve of Buddha’s birthday. I decided to support this noble initiative which has a potential to make it big within the next decade. This event is hosted by “Tour de Lumbini” a non-profit with support from World Cyclist

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Chum valley in Gorkha

Sometimes we forget the big picture. Nepal is beautiful. It does not have to change. It is us who have to change.

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