This time I decided to hike to Manichud Daha with the Women Travellers of Nepal. Women Travellers of Nepal is basically a community of women on Facebook who come together to travel, inspire, and empower one another.
I joined the group one year ago. They organize such hikes from time to time and this is my second time hiking with the group. Now more than 1600 women have joined the community and it feels great to see the community growing with the increasing number of aspiring women around the world.
Hiking is more than just a physical adventure; it’s a spiritual discovery of nature’s wonders. We started our hike with a warm cup of tea at a local shop. This not only helps to explore the local culture but also supports the local business on a small scale. We were a total of nine people hiking together. We met at Baudhanath Stupa and took a bus to drive to Gadalphedi which takes around 40 minutes.
Highlights of Manichud Daha Hike
We started our hike from Ghadalphedi, a small village located outskirts of Kathmandu Valley. The trail starts off winding through lush woodlands filled with oak and rhododendron trees, creating a calm atmosphere that is a welcome diversion from the busy city life. As you walk through the trail you can find Tamang settlements busy in their everyday activities from collecting firewood to grass for the cattle.
The trail is not so difficult because the paths are gravelled and the construction of the road is going on in some places. The roads can be a bit dusty at times since the vehicles pass through the same hiking trail. There is no separate path for vehicles and hikers.
The trail gets more and more fun as you ascend through the lush forest. There is a big field on top where prayer flags are seen hanging and beautifully decorated. Prayer flags not only hold spiritual significance but also spread positive energy to the environment and all beings. We spent a few minutes enjoying the beauty of the surroundings and captured photos.
We headed towards Manichud Daha which lies just 2 minutes from the field. As we glanced at the pristine Manichud Daha, We felt peace and we could see many devotees coming to worship the lake. One thing that bothered me was the cleanliness around the lake which is quite dissatisfying. We came across several plastic wrappers by the lake which made the surroundings a bit untidy.
One can stop at Manichud Daha and have a packed lunch in the peaceful surroundings of the lake. The serene atmosphere of the crystal-clear water beckons you to introspect and enjoy the serenity that the surrounding offers. This is an opportunity to enjoy and recognize the unspoiled beauty of the Himalayan foothills.
The area has religious significance thus it is everybody’s responsibility to keep the surrounding area clean. For our convenience there are dustbins placed at several places. So, why not make use of them?
The hike ends in the quaint village of Shakhu, where exhausted hikers are greeted with friendly locals and classic Nepalese architecture. As you descend, you may try the local food, and take in the region’s diverse cultural offerings.
In this way our trip ended with lifelong memories to cherish. It is always fun to travel with a new group of people as we get to make new friends and share our travel journey or life in general with regard to career, work and other motivation stories.
Also read: Captivating Phulchowi Hike