Kathmandu to Kodari a unique trekking experience
Normally the journey from Kathmandu to Kodari and then crossing of the border through Friendship bridge and then travel to Nylam is done on a single day. But because of the massive landslide that occurred in Nepal in August 2014 turned Bote Kosi river into a big dam caused problems to Kailsh yatris. The yatris who travelled during October took the aerial route to cross the landslide by paying Rs 12000/- per side by Helicopter. As we were informed of this development and were asked to bring cash or credit card for any emergency we came prepared for helicopter travel in this sector. But we were informed that as the colossal landslide has been cleared partially and it will be possible to cross that portion by trek. So we crossed the land slide by trekking it was a unique experience come let us see bout that unforgettable experience.
The 142 Ft tall Shiva statue at Dhulikhel
As we decided to trek we left at 9 AM from Kathmandu crossed Dulikehl where the tallest Shiva statue is situated and we enjoyed the beautiful sight of so many snow covered Himalayan peaks and reached Jure in Sindpal District in Nepal, l where the devastating landslides caused enormous damage. The land slide has not been fully cleared and so started our trek among the mountainous temporary path. What adjective I will add I don't know the experience can be described as memorable, stupendous, unique, tough, Incredible, once-in-a lifetime experience or all put together.
Trek to cross the big landslide
The landslide is being cleared
When we started the trek it seemed we will be walking on a temporary makeshift path made for bypassing the landslide but as we progressed the real thing became clear. It was a small single file path and trekkers were trekking on both the directions. Some were carrying very heavy loads on their back it was really tough to negotiate them. We crossed waterfalls in between and all our shoes got wet, as we were not prepared for this we didn't had a spare shoes also. The most tricky part of the trek was walking in slush formed by these waterfalls.
Many of us found this to be very tricky, for some their leg got stuck into the slush with great effort only the leg was released. Some old ladies were not able to negotiate this tough trek and were carried by porters. All the elderly needed help and the young ones led them by hand else they may fall. For caarrying our luggage across the land slide we paid porters Rs.500/- and the fare for Barahbhise were the land slide ended upto Kodari by bus cost us another Rs 700/- extra.
A slight holdup at a waterfall
Some of the yatris were stuck in slush
Some enterprising ones had opened petty shops all along the route to sell cold drinks and snacks for tired trekkers. There were television crew interviewing the trekkers and the local people. The weather was also not kind we expected it to be a rainy day but sun was shining and we all sweated a lot.
The Bote Kosi River has turned inti a big dam
Boat being used for transportation across the dam
The path is being cleared
All these slides happen because we humans indiscriminately blast mountains for road laying amd also build buildings every where thus weakening the compact mountains. Also because of global warming we have heavy and un-seasonal rains which is instrumental for these landslides. May be nature is punishing us for our misdeeds like denuding of forests and all our inimical activities.
Some of our group members
Television crew interviewing a porter women
On a single track trekking was done on both the sides
Marching like soldiers
Crossed a number of water falls
After very tiring trek we reached the beautiful part of the trek as if we walk in plains among the green fields we walked in the green paddy fields of the mountains. The fields are arranged in a step formation and we waded through the fields and enjoyed this part of the trek very much.
An old lady being carried by a porter
Finally a trek among the fertile paddy field on the mountains
At last crossed the landslide and reached Barahbhise
After all these tribulations all our group members reached Barahbhise safely, though everybody had a story to tell no body had any injury and everybody reached safely. After a tiring trek everybody enjoyed the lunch which tasted divinely. Then we travelled to Thathopani the border town famous for its hot water springs and bunky jumping.
Because of the trek we could not cross the border that day so our yatra was delayed by a day. We were accomodated in Eco HImalayan Resorts. Thathopani was cold and peaceful unlike Kathmandu and we were provised with our overcoats here and straightaway we started using them.
The yatra continues . . . . . .
