After successfully being a part of WordCamp Kathmandu 2023, it was time for another RWS family’s refreshment program. Our destination, an escape from the bustling city to the tranquil nature’s lap, Bhundol Ground. 

Bhundol is a hidden nature sanctuary that recently became viral on social media for its scenic greenery and peaceful atmosphere. Situated in the Dakshinkali Municipality, it is located near the charming town of Pharping. It is an ideal place for short hikes and camping. 

Among the various routes we could choose from, the RWS family jointly decided to travel by two-wheelers to the foot of the mountain and hike our way to the ground. None of the members had previously been to Bhundol so it was a new experience for everyone. Since it would be a short hike and we would have enough time on our hands, we decided to finish the hike early and later enjoy Newari cuisine for lunch. So, our refreshment program had two phases; phase I was a hike to Bhundol and phase II was a Newari lunch at Harisiddhi Newa Suli.

Phase I: Let’s go Hiking

Our day started with most of the members gathering at Koteshwor around 9:30 AM and the remaining members joining at Balkhu. It was 10 AM by the time all the members re-grouped and set off to our destination. The weather was pleasantly cool, not too sunny nor too gloomy but with a hint of excitement in the air. 

After an hour’s journey, we reached Pharping where we decided to take a short break. We had a little list that we prepared a day prior which included snacks, fruits, and drinks. Where’s the fun if we have nothing to enjoy when we reach our destination? So we grabbed what was on our list, had a little tea break, and made our way to our ultimate destination. 

We reached the foot of the mountain and after parking all the two-wheelers, we began our hike. It had rained a day before therefore, the trails were a little wet and slippery. But nothing prepared us for the leeches that we encountered on our way to the ground. Those tiny bloodsuckers were stuck to our shoes probably enticed by the smell of humans. Luckily, we avoided getting our blood sucked. 

The journey itself was quite harder than we expected. The small stairs that seemed like they would go on forever into the woods, proved quite difficult to climb. Now and then, we had to stop in our tracks to catch our breath and hydrate ourselves. The surrounding was lusciously green and we filled our lungs with the fresh forest air before beginning again. 

At last, we reached the Bhundol ground, all sweating and panting. But the view immediately relaxed us and the hike was worth everything. The ground was emptier than we expected and a fresh breeze of air relieved us of our tiredness. We picked a spot to settle and started unpacking our bags. Now it was time to celebrate and enjoy!

We cheered to success of our hike and filled our bellies a little before wandering off to take photographs. Bhundol was truly a refreshment break in every way possible. With a serene nature, cool atmosphere, great company, and a lot of laughter, the RWS family enjoyed every moment at Bhundol. 

Although we hadn’t had our fill with Bhundol, we had to take a leave for the next phase of our refreshment program. So we bid farewell to the ground and made our way back to the foot of the mountain. It was now time for the RWS family’s refreshment program phase II and to make our way to Harisiddhi. 

Phase II: Culinary Delight of Newari Delicacies

It started raining just as we left Bhundol, luckily, it stopped right away. We arrived at Harisiddhi Newa Suli just in time for lunch. The restaurant is critically acclaimed for its authentic flavors of Newari cuisine. Nothing could be better than ending our refreshment program with a lunch filled with bursts of flavors and tradition. 

The restaurant was bustling given its popularity. We took a few photos to commemorate our day’s event and made our way to a table with the traditional floor seating. 

We started with the Newari Khaja Set which encompasses twelve exquisite dishes. It was truly a culinary marvel that we RWS family savored in each bite. We also tried other dishes such as Syapu Mhicha, Bara, Chatamari, and Khuwa Yomari. It satisfied both our taste buds and our bellies.

Time to head back!

With an exciting hike to Bhundol and flavourful delight at Harisiddhi, it was now time to close our RWS family’s refreshment program for 2023. 

The day was a memorable event where the RWS family tackled wet trails and leeches while hiking to Bhundol and ended the day with culinary delight at Harisiddhi. The day was rejuvenating and gave us a break from our regular hectic life, all thanks to RWS!