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| Western Belt of Kathmandu Valley |
The new hiking trail
in the kathmandu valley Indrathan, north-west hill of valley is becoming the
choice for hiking lovers – internal and international. The single day trip will
create smile on your face as the route consist of myriads of beauties
overloaded with natural, religious, cultural, historical and social attributes.
This route is a short trek in the hill between Chandagiri and Nagarjun. The
whole hiking trip is full of fun, refreshment, adventure and in a single word
“WOW”. The hiking
route begins from Purano Naikap,
Kathmandu.
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| Purano Naikap |
Local
bus “Dahachowk Yatayat” has been
operated from Purano Bus Park to Dahachowk which runs through Purano Naikap.
Located 7 km away from Bus park and 3 km from Kalanki, Purano Naikap is beautiful locality with mix
ethnic residence (Newar, Thakuri, Magar
,Chhetri and Brahmin), pati, pauwas and football ground on central part. You
can collect chocolate, drinks, etc from nearby shops. You will find a series of
landscape close to your eyes, from plain green land to high hill. The road is
pitched and graveled for vehicles to Indrathan and you will be using it as a
walking route on some plots of hiking.
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| Kitini Bhanjyang |
When you reach the junction Kitini Bhanjyang (named after local
stone – kit), choose the road towards north where you will have full enjoyment
with a close view of country side livings.
When you reach Paanchaayan Chowk,
walking upwards with a right turn, it will lead you to a narrow trail. Stepping
upstairs will present you green sloping lawn which is clearly visible from
valley. Walking ahead, you will reach to a small but beautiful village with
community school and temple with same name Kankali
(Goddess established by King P.N Shah). Here, you can enjoy the views
around and refresh yourself. Walk through the village and the road will end
with the start of bunch of pine trees that welcomes you for jungle walk.
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| Kankali Community School |
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| Kankali Danda |
Fresh
and aromatic air, cool and peace environment and chirpings of birds are
attraction of this walk. You will feel yourself lucky enough to collect berries
and red rhododendron, if you make your visit during March/April. When your
eardrum strikes with the Chants of Monks, be ready, you are being welcomed by
the Gumba, Drigung Kagyud Reinchen Palri
Monastery. This gumba is famous among visitors because of its unique
features in architect, gorgeous frame, positive vibes, tranquil environment and
well management.
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| Gate of Gumba |
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| Inside Gumba |
A few minutes of time here with posy photos means a lot to
everyone. Again the jungle walk with fresh air breeze begins with glimpse of
kaliz, deer, leopard, if you are lucky enough. Walking straight to hill will
lead you to Bindhabasini temple in
the mid of jungle, established by king PN shah during Kritipur war and
renovated by locals. Temple is located at ‘ Gadi’ named after castle made during the period of PN Shah to store
weapons.
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| Bindhabasini Temple |
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| Downstairs from Bindhabasini Temple |
Stepping
downstairs and walking through the way you will find yourself to the most
popular picnic spot of the valley, Switzerland
Park (locally Thaple chaur) named after its huge green lawn on 1760 m
altitude. This spot is very famous for mesmerizing Mountain View – Ganesh Himal and Langtang Mountain range and Valley view.
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| Switzerland Chaur |
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| Langtang Mountain Range |
After a few mintues of
natural views, move straight ahead, you will reach to white half statues’ park
made on the memory of 15 dead bodies died on plane crash of Nikon Air flying from Pokhara to Kathmandu, by hitting a tower, in 1999.
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| Half Statues in the memory of departed souls |
Praying for a minute for those
departed souls, walk inside curve edge of hill where you will get to see
gigantic landscapes of Nagarjun hill
and white gumba in front. The panoramic valley view from this spot will not let
you go without saying ‘WOW’. Gust of fresh air blowing will refresh you and
surely make you feel like being in another world on every step you walk
upwards.
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| Panoramic Valley view |
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| Nagarjuna Hill |
Finally
you will reach to Kothalthok, where
the telecom tower, the tower which had made plane crashed, is located with an
altitude of 1840m. There is a restaurant where you will get lavish menu with
local dish.
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| Telecom Tower |
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| Kottalthok Restaurant |
Your
heritage walk will have lots of historical monuments which are evidence of history
connected with King P.N Shah of 19 th century . You will get “Kot Ghar”(Weapon Store),” Spot where Chain of Pearls was given to
king P.N Shah” and “The Graveyard of The Great Kaji Kalu Pandey
“(P.M of king PN Shah).It is avered Kaji
died during Kritipur war and wished to see Gorkha even after his death. So he was graved on this place. on
clear weather some parts of Gorkha ,Dhading, Nuwakot are seen from this height
with huge landscape of picturesque chandagiri hill in front. Near to the
cemetery, you can see replica of Manakamana
temple established on 1857 by then king PN Shah to gain power to win
Kritipur war.
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| Kot Ghar |
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| Graveyard of Kalu Pandey |
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| Hills of Dhading and Nuwakot |
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| Manakamana Temple |
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| Beautiful Chandragiri |
Walking down the hill you will reach religious and culturally
important, Indrathan temple with a
pond called Daha. It is believed
that taking bath in this pond heals all the diseases. There is a myth behind
the temple that during ‘Satya Yug’, Lord king Indra came here from heaven for
meditation and took bath on that pond. Thousands of people visit Indrathan on
indrajatra which falls on September. You will be hungry to spend time on this
pious shade of trees.
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| Indrathan Temple |
After
half an hour,you should start journey towards the downhill from temple towards
west which will lead you to Batase Danda named due to continuous
wind blow. You can get local pubs and get refreshed as much on your interest.
After getting refreshed and energized, walk down the hill with distant view of
Chandagiri cable car hanging and moving ups and downs and the Prithivi Highway.
View of green lands with color concretes will amuse you while walking
downwards. On some point you will find shortcut trail while most of the way is
graveled road with greenery on both sides. Finally you will step down to Toti Tole near to Naghdunga where you
will find lots of local shops serving you beverages and fast food. You can get local vehicles to reach your
destiny from there.
Lastly, the route is highly exceptional
with different taste and distinguished features though I may have missed to
address some unique spots. Why don’t you plan your weekend for this wonderful
trip with camera and fully loaded energy?
nice article as the hiking trail with the ample information. :)
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