Boderlands Eco Adventure Resort will satisfy your need for adventure and nature
After two weeks of hectic back-to-back work, I really needed a break from my schedule – somewhere not far from Kathmandu but where I could easily unwind. After a search around for the right place, I decided to head out to Boderlands Eco Adventure Resort (BEAR), which is a three-hour drive from Kathmandu for a dose of adventure and peace. So, last weekend, along with a lively group of college students, I took off to BEAr, hoping to find what I was looking for.
At the end of the bumpy bus ride through beautiful landscapes, we reached the resort. Well-manicured grass, plenty of greenery and the rushing sound of the Bhotekhoshi River raging on beside the resort, had me convinced that I’d made the right choice.
For accommodation, there are altogether 18 tents, with nine of them having four beds in each to accommodate people coming in groups. And for those who seek a little privacy and time out, there are nine tents with twin beds scattered around the property. The laidback Arniko bar cum dining hall, is the perfect place to relax, put up your feet and enjoy a drink at the end of a long day. For those seeking clam and tranquility, BEAR with its serene natural setting is sure to work wonders on you. It’s the right place to meditate or simply laze around. All in all, it’s the perfect getaway destination amidst a beautiful setting and what makes it even better is the staff who are friendly, helpful and fun.
Canyoning
Since I was the only one doing canyoning that day, Megh Ale, founder of TBEASR – much to the delight of college students - gave away two free canyoning vouchers to two lucky winners. After a quick lunch, the three of us along with Bobby, the main guide and his assistant, Ishwor and Prasanna, a staff of BEAR boarded the bus. After a five-minute bus ride, all of us carrying our wet suits and safety gears on our backs hiked our way to the first canyoning spot. The trail, though littered with leeches, took us through terraced rice fields with breathtaking views of the nearby terraced hills and the beautiful Bhotekoshi raging below. We reached the first canyoning spot after a good 20 minutes’ hike and donned our wet suits, helmets and harness followed by a brief instruction on safety measures from Bobby.
Since I was the only one who had done canyoning before, I volunteered to make the descent first. When the necessary safety checks were done, I held on to the rope and jumped. Although the fear factor was not there this time around, it was the same rush of adrenaline and excitement that I’d felt the first time canyoning. The first decent was quite easy and all of us did a great job of it. The second canyon was quite slippery and fun but the third and the last one was not only the longest descent with the highest water-flow but also the most exciting and fun. It was the highlight of the three descents and the most adrenaline pumping. By the time all of us had made the descent, it was already dusk. Though tired, cold and well bitten by leeches all over, the feeling of successfully descending canyons was simply out of his world.
Tips:
> Wear shoes with good grips
> There are plenty of leeches so come prepared
Hiking
After the adrenaline rush of canyoning, a two-hour short hike to Nagpujay gaun was planned for us the following morning to explore the area. We started the hike at 6:30 am with Megh Ale himself as our guide. After a short walkby the highway, we walked downhill to cross a shaky suspension bridge, followed by another 15 minute uphill hike through rice and millet fields.
Nagpujay Gaun is a sleepy typical village nestled in the lap of a gigantic hill and offers the most beautiful view of the winding highway, hills and the serpentine Bhotekoshi River. Throughout the hike, Ale told us interesting fats about the village and history of the area that dates back to Nepal-Tibet war, while also reminding us about the fragile nature of the location and the importance to preserve it. This early morning hike, called the ‘Break-fast Hike’ sure had me famished and feasting on the breakfast that awaited us at the resort was a sheer joy.
My Verdict
What was a hasty decision for a quite and quick getaway to BEAR turned out to be surprisingly fulfilling with the immense potential it has to offer. Beautiful natural setting, plenty of adventure options and BEAR’s involvement in protecting the area and supporting local schools and communities – it’s a resort with a big heart that’s definitely worth visiting again.
Source: Tsering Ngodup Lama, The Himalayan Times, Travel and Lifestyle,10-Oct-2013
After two weeks of hectic back-to-back work, I really needed a break from my schedule – somewhere not far from Kathmandu but where I could easily unwind. After a search around for the right place, I decided to head out to Boderlands Eco Adventure Resort (BEAR), which is a three-hour drive from Kathmandu for a dose of adventure and peace. So, last weekend, along with a lively group of college students, I took off to BEAr, hoping to find what I was looking for.
At the end of the bumpy bus ride through beautiful landscapes, we reached the resort. Well-manicured grass, plenty of greenery and the rushing sound of the Bhotekhoshi River raging on beside the resort, had me convinced that I’d made the right choice.
For accommodation, there are altogether 18 tents, with nine of them having four beds in each to accommodate people coming in groups. And for those who seek a little privacy and time out, there are nine tents with twin beds scattered around the property. The laidback Arniko bar cum dining hall, is the perfect place to relax, put up your feet and enjoy a drink at the end of a long day. For those seeking clam and tranquility, BEAR with its serene natural setting is sure to work wonders on you. It’s the right place to meditate or simply laze around. All in all, it’s the perfect getaway destination amidst a beautiful setting and what makes it even better is the staff who are friendly, helpful and fun.
Canyoning
Since I was the only one doing canyoning that day, Megh Ale, founder of TBEASR – much to the delight of college students - gave away two free canyoning vouchers to two lucky winners. After a quick lunch, the three of us along with Bobby, the main guide and his assistant, Ishwor and Prasanna, a staff of BEAR boarded the bus. After a five-minute bus ride, all of us carrying our wet suits and safety gears on our backs hiked our way to the first canyoning spot. The trail, though littered with leeches, took us through terraced rice fields with breathtaking views of the nearby terraced hills and the beautiful Bhotekoshi raging below. We reached the first canyoning spot after a good 20 minutes’ hike and donned our wet suits, helmets and harness followed by a brief instruction on safety measures from Bobby.
Since I was the only one who had done canyoning before, I volunteered to make the descent first. When the necessary safety checks were done, I held on to the rope and jumped. Although the fear factor was not there this time around, it was the same rush of adrenaline and excitement that I’d felt the first time canyoning. The first decent was quite easy and all of us did a great job of it. The second canyon was quite slippery and fun but the third and the last one was not only the longest descent with the highest water-flow but also the most exciting and fun. It was the highlight of the three descents and the most adrenaline pumping. By the time all of us had made the descent, it was already dusk. Though tired, cold and well bitten by leeches all over, the feeling of successfully descending canyons was simply out of his world.
Tips:
> Wear shoes with good grips
> There are plenty of leeches so come prepared
Hiking
After the adrenaline rush of canyoning, a two-hour short hike to Nagpujay gaun was planned for us the following morning to explore the area. We started the hike at 6:30 am with Megh Ale himself as our guide. After a short walkby the highway, we walked downhill to cross a shaky suspension bridge, followed by another 15 minute uphill hike through rice and millet fields.
Nagpujay Gaun is a sleepy typical village nestled in the lap of a gigantic hill and offers the most beautiful view of the winding highway, hills and the serpentine Bhotekoshi River. Throughout the hike, Ale told us interesting fats about the village and history of the area that dates back to Nepal-Tibet war, while also reminding us about the fragile nature of the location and the importance to preserve it. This early morning hike, called the ‘Break-fast Hike’ sure had me famished and feasting on the breakfast that awaited us at the resort was a sheer joy.
My Verdict
What was a hasty decision for a quite and quick getaway to BEAR turned out to be surprisingly fulfilling with the immense potential it has to offer. Beautiful natural setting, plenty of adventure options and BEAR’s involvement in protecting the area and supporting local schools and communities – it’s a resort with a big heart that’s definitely worth visiting again.
Source: Tsering Ngodup Lama, The Himalayan Times, Travel and Lifestyle,10-Oct-2013
