Though it’s nothing new for a village kid to hike up and down the hill, I took village kids from Khasrang Besi on their first (so called) official hike which gave them a different perspective on village development, nature and lifestyle.
During Tihar festival vacation, kids were getting bored of staying at home and playing mobile games. So, I decided to take them on a day hike to neighboring villages. Also, I had to map the trail so that we can commercialize it for sustainable village tourism.
As discussed, all the kids from different places gathered a day earlier at Khasrang Besi and stayed the night.
Hiking Trail Overview
Distance: 8 KM
Total Time: 5-6 hrs
Maximum Altitude: 680m
Difficulty: Moderate
Ready For The First Hike
Then the next morning we woke up early in the morning and gathered snacks for the hike and water. I asked for Selroti that was prepared in Tihar (Bhai Tika). The kids brought Noodles for each one and a big bottle of water.
After packing all the snacks and water, we started the hike from Khasrang Besi at around 7:00 A.M.
We took a trail to Khaharey Khola which everyone knew and was a regular trail for daily works (work on the field, goat grazing, etc.).
From Khahare Khola, we left the way to Khaltey Paani, which was climbing up the hill through dense forest. This trail begins from the signage by the forest department (stating it’s prohibited to cut grass and graze goats in the forest) at Khaharey Khola.
It’s a steep climb through the forest, so we walked slowly and talking with each other.
As we climbed up, we got to see the top view of our village. First, we got the view of Nantaar Village which had large rice terraces and few houses. After climbing a bit higher we started seeing “Saal Putay” village which was the village of Sangam who was hiking with us.
And near Khaltey Paani Village we started seeing our Khasrang Besi Village, our golden rice terraces, Trishuli river and Mugling – Narayanghat highway clearly.
Also, the view of the giant “Jalbirey Waterfall” which is one of the touristic destinations in Chitwan is clear from this point.
Khaltey Paani
Khaltey Paani is the first Gurung village on this hiking trail. Though there were 7-10 families living in this village with arable land to grow corn, pulses, millet and vegetables, the migration of people to cities for work or studies has emptied most of the houses. And only a couple of elderly families reside here.
And the lack of human presence was felt as we saw arable lands converting into wild forest, houses covered in wild vines and uncleared paths.
Seeing these our village kids felt their village is cleaner than this one. They said at least they had cleaned the trails to the village.
Here, even the newly constructed road trail (though vehicles couldn’t come) seemed wild.
After passing the Khaltey Paani village, we took the road trail. And as we continued climbing up, it started getting foggy.
We could hear the chirping of birds and crickets. And we took a short water break, put the warmer clothes on and continued hiking up.
Along with us, three of our dogs (BK, Dalley and Musuri) were also on the hike. And whenever they saw movement in the bush or forest, they used to go inside and chase, and later join us on the trail.
Baralung
Finally, at around 9:00 in the morning, we reached Baralung Gurung village which was the highest point of the hike and also new to all of us though we’re from the nearby village. People from this village also used to walk through our village.
And our elder cousins also used to come here daily for studies as the closed school from our village (Khasrang) was here at Baralung.
But now as we have another school in our village, kids study there and don’t have to hike this much. And the road connection to here from Chhimkeshwori and migration of people to cities has also stopped people walking through our village. If needed, they walk down another trail via Baralung Besi which is shorter.
The Most Exciting Event Of The Past
“According to our elder uncles, Baralung village used to be one of the most happening villages. During Maha Ekadashi (Hari Bodhini Ekadashi), there used to be one of the largest fairs in the area. And youths from neighboring villages (Khasrang, Labdi, Kafal Dada, Aam Dada, etc.) used to come here for entertainment.
Also, the merchants used to come for trade.
And there used to be Chudka dance for the whole night and day. There used to be free booze (Jaad and Raksi), homemade wine and alcohol for everyone. Also, the locals used to serve boiled sweet potato (Sakharkhanda) and Taro (Pidalu) which is the must have food in Nepal during Maha Ekadashi. And this food is called “Faral” in local village terms.”
Now, let’s get back to our hiking team.
In the first view of Baralung village where houses were bigger than ours and many houses in one place, our youngest hiker, Jenish (8 yrs old) said “Kati ramailo gau raichha.” Which translates to “How beautiful the village is.”.
Since it was the first time for all of us at this village, we didn’t know anyone and didn’t know the path to the next destination. We just knew that there is a path from one village to another and had planned accordingly after discussing with our elders.
Anyway, we explored the Baralung village on our own and talked with a few locals as well. They used to ask where we were from and why we were there, and in return we used to tell them that we’re from neighboring Khasrang Besi village and we were there just for a hike.
The weather was still foggy and the locals told us that it gets clear only after 11:00 in the morning.
Then we asked for directions to our next destination, Khola Gaun. One of the elders showed us the direction.
Free Fresh Fruit
As we’re heading that way, we saw a Pomelo (Bhogatey/Bhoksey) tree, and Sangam (one of our hiking kids) told me to ask for a Pomelo.
When I asked one of the elders for one Pomelo, she told us to pick ourselves and even pointed to the ripe one.
Happily, Sangam picked one, packed it in the bag and continued our hike. A bit ahead we saw the school of Baralung village, went there and explored, and filled the water bottle from the tap.
Then we continued walking.
Then we saw a few big abandoned houses, a big banana orchard with giant tall trees. There on the side was a guava tree, so Sangam and Jenish climbed up the tree and picked each one a guava then continued hiking.
One of the amazing things is that though Baralung village is at the top of the hill, there is a flat land and giant arable lands.
Must Have Thing In Dashain
After walking for a few minutes, we reached another part of Baralung village. Here we even saw a giant Lingey Ping (Swing) which was probably built in Dashain Festival and is a must have in the festival.
So, we played the swing for some time as we didn’t have as big as this one in our village. And we also discussed that we should come here to play the swing in the next Dashain.
Then after some time we left the village and continued walking.
Snacks With The Best View
After sometime we found a place with a great view on all sides and decided to take a snack break there.
So, we sat on a rock and Sangam started opening the Pomelo with bare hands as we did not have any sharp objects and ate it. Then we ate Selroti (Bread) and Noodles. We also gave some biscuits and Selroti to our dogs (BK, Dalley and Musuri).
After eating our snacks, we continued hiking towards Khola Gaun (Chepang Village).
As it was around 10:00 A.M. and crossed Baralung village, it started getting sunny and warm. So, we continued walking down the hill quickly.
The view of the rice terraces at Khola Gaun and Nantaar was spectacular from the top.
Enjoying the view, we continued walking down the hill.
Khola Gaun (Chepang Village)
Khola Gaun is predominantly resided by Chepang people who are considered one of the poorest tribes in Nepal. In the past, they mostly depended on foraging foods from the forest (yam, herbs, etc.) and hunting. They raise chickens, pigs and bees at home. And usually they used to give birth to many children as they were mostly illiterate. But now it’s changing as many children go to school and male go abroad or work in the cities.
Chepang are one of the friendliest people and value their friends and relatives very much.
The only bad thing is when they have money, instead of saving they spend for themselves and others as there is no tomorrow.
Now back to us.
As it was the peak time for villagers to work (cut grass and work on the field), there were only kids and few people in the houses at Khola Gaun.
Then at the bottom we crossed a suspension bridge.
Our Dogs Are Scared Of This
To our surprise, we found that the dogs were scared of crossing the suspension bridge. So instead they went down and crossed the stream (Khaharey Khola).
We were waiting at the other end, so as they arrived they continued hiking through Nantaar Village.
Here also almost none was at home, most probably went to cut grass.
So, we walked on the path at the end of the rice terrace and via the banana forest. Then from Khaharey Khola we walked alongside the river and in 30 minutes we reached home.
When we reached home it was around 11:00 A.M. Then everyone went home happily to have lunch (Dal – Bhat).
ANOTHER HIKING TRAIL – Hike to Chhimkeshwori, Hilekharka and Bandipur from Khasrang Besi Village
