A refreshing escape to Chitlang with my Khwopa Colleagues
On 7th November 2025, Khwopa College organized a short yet refreshing one-night, two-day trip to Chitlang. The announcement came right after our first terminal exam — quite unexpected and last-minute — but without a second thought, I said yes. Sometimes the best trips are the unplanned ones, and this proved to be true.
There were three buses carrying around eighty teachers, divided into two shifts — the first departing at 1:30 PM and the second at 3:30 PM. Due to some personal work, I joined the later one, which eventually departed around 4 PM. I guessed we’d reach our destination by 7 or 7:30 PM, depending on the traffic.
My travel partner was Rajamati Mam, our college librarian. Sharing headphones and listening to evergreen songs with her made the journey joyful and full of laughter. As we ascended the steep, winding roads in the dark, the ride felt thrilling yet a little scary. But once we reached Chitlang Valley, all the tiredness faded — it was absolutely worth it.
When we arrived, the earlier group was already enjoying the campfire. We were welcomed warmly with black tea and organic popcorn, which felt heavenly after the long ride. I remember grabbing a generous plate of popcorn — it was that good! Though it was almost dinner time, everyone enjoyed the light snack.
I later found my roommates — four of us sharing one simple, cozy room. It wasn’t luxurious, but I wasn’t there for comfort — I was there to experience nature and togetherness. Soon after checking in, we joined the campfire and karaoke night. The singers among us made the atmosphere romantic and lively. A special heartfelt thanks goes to Prakash Kumar Sir, whose soulful romantic songs filled the air with warmth and made the night truly unforgettable.
Around 8:30 PM, we were invited for dinner. Everyone was hungry, and we truly enjoyed the food. Though there were a few minor drawbacks, I completely understand how challenging it is to serve such a large group of teachers at once. I’m deeply thankful to the kind hands who worked hard to host us with such warmth and pleasure. After dinner, we continued singing and dancing around the campfire until about 10:30 PM, before heading to our rooms to rest. Sleeping in a new place with friends is never easy, but we managed some rest for the exciting day ahead.
The next morning, we were asked to have breakfast by 7 AM, but the management took a little longer to prepare it. That gave us enough time to take photos and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. I even had plenty of time to wander around and explore the nearby farms before breakfast. We took several photos to mark our stay before starting our excursion around organic Chitlang around 9 AM.
Although I had recommended Chitlang to many clients through my travel agency, this was my first personal visit — and I felt proud to finally explore it with my respected teachers and colleagues.
We began our guided tour by visiting the Goat Cheese Factory and Farmhouse, followed by two ancient durbars dating back nearly 150 years. According to our guide, these historic palaces once served as rest stops for kings travelling between Kathmandu and the Terai region or India on elephants or horses. Those two durbars was said to have hosted Shree Teen and Shree Panch Kings, which made the visit even more special.
Our path then led through a peaceful forest to Saatdhara, a sacred site with shrines of Unique Shiva Linga with four different faces, Ganesha, Narayan, and Saraswati. Along the way, I observed the diverse organic farms of Chitlang — red chilies, tomatoes, squash, radish, peas, pumpkins, potatoes, maize, garlic, Taichin rice, millet (kodo), buckwheat (phapar), turmeric, mustard, and many other vegetables growing beautifully.
Next, we visited Chaitaghumba, believed to be the origin of the name “Chitlang.” Our exploration continued to the Bhimsen and Bhairab temples, important Hindu sites deeply revered by the local Newar community. I enjoyed observing the local lifestyle and capturing scenes of organic farming on my mobile — each frame told a story of simplicity and harmony with nature.
Our final stop was at the pear farms, famous for their beauty and seasonal harvest. Although it was off-season during our visit, and the area seemed less vibrant due to nearby university construction, the place still held its charm.We could hardly see any pears left on the trees, but the attempts to knock down the few leftover ones using a long bamboo stick became an unexpected highlight. Our respected sirs was kind enough to serve the pears — though, of course, there weren’t quite enough for everyone! The whole scene was filled with laughter and lighthearted fun, making it another memorable part of our Chitlang journey.
After the tour, we returned for a late lunch around noon. Soon after, it was time to leave Chitlang and head toward Markhu and Kulekhani Dam. The road conditions were rough, especially on the way up and down the hills, but the breathtaking views made up for it. Though we couldn’t stop at Markhu due to heavy traffic and lack of parking space, we caught a glimpse of its picturesque dam beauty from the bus.
At Kulekhani Dam, we got off the bus to stretch our legs, enjoy the fresh air, and take some beautiful photos overlooking the calm waters. It was a perfect ending to our short yet memorable trip.
On the way back, I managed to take a short nap — the smooth road after Kulekhani felt like a blessing. We reached the college around 5:30 PM, filled with joy, memories, and a heart refreshed by nature and companionship.When I finally checked my step counter, it showed over 17,000 steps for the day – a true reflection of how much we had explored, laughed, and lived every moment.
I truly want to thank Khwopa College management for organizing such a wonderful refreshment program. It was more than just a trip — it was a reminder of how shared laughter, nature, and good company can rejuvenate the soul.
Urmila Jadhari