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In: Adventures

Trekking: it sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? You picture serene mountain views, crisp air, and the perfect Instagram selfie with the peaks behind you. But let me tell you, the reality is a rollercoaster of exhaustion, laughter, regret, and memories you wouldn’t trade for the world. Our trip to North ABC and Pokhara was exactly that — a chaotic mix of pure chaos and unfiltered joy.

This is my personal experience of our adventure, traveling with eight of my colleagues, all of us equally clueless and overly confident. Here’s how it went down.

1 Nov: The Great Shopping Spree

The day before we left, we dedicated to shopping and preparation. It wasn’t just about buying essentials; it was about realizing how unprepared we were. Shoes, snacks, rented tents, sleeping bags — we went all out. A few of us even argued over what was “necessary.” I mean, is five packs of chocolate necessary? (Yes, it is. Always.). Anyway, by the end of the day, we were armed and ready, although most of us were already broke before the trip even started.

3 Nov: Bhaitika, Bus, and Chaos

The real journey began on the day of Bhaitika. After finishing the family rituals and stuffing our faces with festival food, we packed our bags and headed to Kalanki bus stop by 6 PM.

Now, if you’ve never traveled overnight on a bus in Nepal, let me set the scene. Imagine being in a moving tin can that bounces on the roads like a pinball machine. Add nine overly excited friends trying to sing, sleep, and eat all at once, and you’ve got our bus ride. We reached Pokhara around 5:30 AM, looking like we’d been through a war zone.

4 Nov: From Pokhara to Tatopani — The Road of Nightmares

After a quick nap (read: leaning against a bus window for 10 minutes), we rented an electric van to take us from Pokhara to Tatopani. If you’re planning a similar trip, let me save you the trouble: don’t rent an electric van.

By the time we reached Tatopani, we were starving. The dal bhat there? Pure magic. I’m not exaggerating when I say that meal could win awards.

Fueled up, we began the journey to Humkhola. This part of the journey was… interesting. The roads were muddy and narrow, with cliffs on one side. While I’m used to these kinds of paths (thank you, childhood trips to the village), my city-dwelling friends were horrified. “Is this even a road?!” one of them shouted, while the rest of us laughed nervously and prayed the van wouldn’t flip over.

Finally, we reached Humkhola, the real starting point of our trek. But as if things weren’t chaotic enough, it started raining just as we began walking. Oh, and did I mention most of us forgot flashlights? With only three flashlights for nine people, we stumbled through the dark, trying not to fall off cliffs or walk straight into waterfalls. Three of us — me (Salil), Bijay dai, and Roshan dai — decided to power through without breaks, while the others took their time. The trail was breathtaking when we could actually see it, but as night fell, it turned into a nightmare. By the time we reached Sadhikharka, we were freezing, drenched, and exhausted.

Setting up camp was another challenge for us. None of us had any prior experience, and with our porters arriving late, we had to figure things out on our own. One of the porters called another nearby porter to assist us. After a lot of trial and error, we managed to set up the camp — it was a tough first-time experience, but we pulled through. You can see how it went in the video.

That night, we all huddled together in one tent, sharing noodles, chocolates, and plenty of sarcastic comments about our “perfectly planned trip.” After some time, we went to our own tents to try and get some rest. The sleep? Freezing cold and barely restful. But hey, we survived, and that’s what mattered.

5 Nov: Sadhikharka to Panchakunda Lake — Finding the Magic

Day two started with the kind of breakfast only trekking can make you appreciate: instant noodles. Simple, yet it felt like a five-star meal after the previous night.


The trail to Panchakunda Lake was nothing short of magical. The mountains loomed closer, and the rivers sparkled under the morning sun. Walking beside the river was like stepping into a postcard. We stopped halfway for lunch, drying our wet clothes and sleeping bags while munching on tea, biscuits, and chocolate.

The closer we got to Panchakunda, the more surreal the views became. Snow-capped peaks, lush greenery, and the kind of silence that makes you feel alive. We reached our destination by late afternoon and set up camp with a bit more confidence this time.

We spent the evening stargazing, and for, the chaos of the trip felt even more worth it.

Dinner that night was gundruk bhat cooked by ourselves — a humble yet satisfying meal that felt like home.

6 Nov: North ABC — The Big Adventure

By the third day, most of the group was too tired to continue. Only three of us — me, Bijay dai, and Sabin dai — decided to push on to North ABC. This was the highlight of the trip for me.

The trail to North ABC was steep and challenging, but every step brought us closer to the most incredible views I’ve ever seen. Mountains stretched endlessly in every direction, their snow-covered peaks glinting in the sunlight.

At the top, I felt like I was on top of the world (literally). It’s hard to describe the feeling of standing there, surrounded by nature’s raw beauty. It was the kind of moment that makes all the struggles worthwhile.

After taking a ton of photos and videos (because if you don’t post it, did it even happen?), we had some fun as boys being boys — cracking jokes, daring each other, and almost causing an avalanche with our stupidity.

At one point, I was almost about to climb the mountain just to “see what happens,” but then realized I might end up being a permanent part of the landscape. With that realization, we headed back to Panchakunda for breakfast.
The Descent — Running Through Trails and Dal Bhat Delights

The downhill trek was much faster, mainly because we were practically running through the trails. The morning views were even more stunning, with the sunlight casting golden hues over the landscape.

We stopped at Busket Mela for a quick snack, then had a small break at Futfute Jharana to soak in the refreshing scenery before continuing to Humkhola.

The view was so beautiful — it felt like something straight out of a postcard.

After that, we continued to Humkhola. From there, we ordered a Bolero to take us back to Tatopani.

And yes, we treated ourselves to another round of that heavenly dal bhat.

Back to Pokhara — A Story for Another Day

The final leg of our journey took us back to Pokhara. What happened there is a tale for another time, but let’s just say it involved stories I probably shouldn’t tell — it was wild, chaotic, and way more than anyone signed up for.

What I Learned

  1. Always carry a flashlight. You’d think this is common sense, but apparently not.
  2. Dal bhat is life. Seriously, it fuels your soul.
  3. Trekking isn’t just about the destination. It’s about the journey, the struggles, and the moments that make you laugh even when you’re freezing in a tent.
  4. Always pack your clothes and other essentials in individual plastic or waterproof bags — because trust me, after trekking in the rain, wet clothes are the last thing you want to deal with.

Looking back, the trip wasn’t perfect — as others might say — but for me, it was one of the best experiences ever. From trekking in the rain with a large group of colleagues for days, to setting up camp for the first time — even in the pouring rain — every moment, from the trails to the starry nights, was an unforgettable adventure. If you’re thinking of trekking, do it. It’ll break you, challenge you, and reward you in ways you can’t imagine.

And if you do, remember chocolate is mandatory, electric vans are overrated, and don’t forget your flashlight.

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