Sundarijal to Budhanilkantha Adventure
“Aarav, time to get up!” I called to my nephew, still cozy in bed. I invited him to join me for a hike, but he threw a small tantrum, reluctant to move. His parents nodded their approval. We were in a rush to meet my friend Chhongba Sherpa.
Took a local bus from Sundhara to reach the hiking starting point at Sundarijal, a journey filled with unexpected adventures. Old Nepali pop songs by Nepathya, Kandara, and other iconic singers blared through the bus speakers, stirring nostalgia among me and my friend Chhongba. The ride, stretching nearly seventy-five minutes, was a lively affair—the bus stopped frequently, with the conductor cheerfully urging passengers to squeeze in a bit more to accommodate new faces, leaving the bus packed to the edge.
Our hike from Sundarijal to Sundarimai Temple began with a refreshing start as we purchased entrance tickets at the gate—two tickets for the adults, since small kids don’t require one. We were disappointed that there are no waterfalls these days; we have to visit during the rainy season for that scenic beauty. Nevertheless, we walked slowly, soaking in the serene surroundings, and thoroughly enjoyed the journey. Along the way, we reached an army checkpoint where we couldn’t help but discuss the guns the soldiers were holding.
Soon after, we arrived at Sundarimai Temple, where Aarav had a blast making a vlog for his YouTube channel. Hard had some water, but the absence of waterfalls around the temple was noticeable. After a brief rest, we moved forward via the powerhouse, and after a challenging thirty-minute uphill climb, we reached a junction where we had to choose our next destination. We decided to head toward Budhanilkantha, eager to continue our adventure. From this point to Budhanilakanth, it’s easy trail.
Our first stop was Tarevir. The trail from Sundarijal to this junction was uphill, but from here onward, it leveled out. The conversation between Chhongba and Aarav continued uninterrupted—what had started as small talk between strangers had now turned into a lively exchange. Aarav, sharing his knowledge in his usual factual manner, found an eager listener in Chhongba.
It was amusing how things had changed since the start of the adventure. Before the hike, Aarav and Chhongba were complete strangers. Now, they were trekking buddies, chatting away and enjoying each other’s company. At one point, Aarav—mistaking Chhongba’s Chinese appearance for a sign of kung fu mastery—jokingly asked him to “break a stone like a real kung fu master.”
Chhongba sang a song from a Nepali movie.
यो बाटो कहाँ जाने, कहाँ पुग्ने हो
पिरतीको फूल फुल्ने गाउँ पुग्ने हो
जाऊ म पनि जान्छु, जाऊ म पनि जान्छु
Oh Chhongba, I remember this song—it was filmed with Nepali actors Bhuwan KC or Shrawan Ghimire, I thought. But both of my guesses were wrong. Later, when I got home, I searched for the song on YouTube and found out it was actually filmed with Actor Captain Bijay Lama!
We walked slowly, the shade from the trees protecting us from the direct sun. We had water and Coke to keep us refreshed. Suddenly, Aarav asked, “How much longer until we reach Tarevir?” He wasn’t tired, but his empty stomach was begging for food—something we could clearly see on his face.
“Look at that yak!” Aarav pointed. Both Chhongba and I shouted, “That’s a buffalo, not a yak!”
After two more hours of walking, we finally reached Tarevir.
With empty stomachs, we entered “Tarevir 90 View Mohan Chiya Pasal”, a local restaurant, and ordered dal bhat. But hungry stomachs couldn’t wait, so we also got a green salad. Both Chhongba and Aarav enjoyed the salad with spicy pickle. We were so excited for the dal bhat—but it disappointed us. It was pathetic.
Chhongba couldn’t hold back. He turned to the owner and chef and said, “You should learn how to cook properly so people come back again and again to enjoy the food—and this place!”
With lecture to chef, we continued our journey toward Budhanilkantha, eager to reach the famous sleeping Vishnu temple. Along the way, we crossed paths with many hikers heading toward Dhaap Daam, their energy and enthusiasm adding to the lively trail atmosphere. While most were bound for Dhaap Daam, only three of us were determined to reach Budhanilkantha.
Interestingly, we also met a few hikers coming from the opposite direction—those who had started their trek from Budhanilkantha and were making their way to Sundarijal. We shared each other the stories of our journey along the route.
By the time we finally reached Budhanilkantha, we were exhausted but exhilarated—our hike had been a perfect mix of camaraderie, challenging trails, and unforgettable scenery. After walking two kilometers from the Shivapuri gate, we arrived at the famous Sleeping Vishnu Temple. We prayed there, then took a local bus home.
