Konjyosom Hiking Diary: Nature, Culture, and Tamang Trails
On the date of 2083/02/02 B.S., I had planned a special hiking trip with the members of NTDEA. The plan had already been discussed almost ten days earlier, and finally the much-awaited day arrived. Early in the morning, I received a call from our respected President Achyut Sir, and we gathered at Kalimati before beginning our journey together.
The hiking program was organized by NTDEA, but this was not only a hiking trip. It was also a study tour to explore new tourism destinations that could later be promoted to tourists and guests by our tourism entrepreneur members. For this purpose, we selected Konjyosom Rural Municipality – Ward No. 5, popularly known as Konjyosom Icon.
Our tour had officially started at 6:30 a.m. from the tourist bus park in Sorhakhutte. Passing through Chapagaun, Lele, and the beautiful countryside, we finally reached Bhardeu village in Konjyosom. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Ward No. 5 Chairperson Mr. Vijaya Kumar Syangtang and the local community. Their hospitality immediately made us feel connected to the place.
Altogether, there were 16 participants in the hike, including 15 tourism entrepreneurs and our respected advisor, Professor Dr. Som Pd Khatiwada. Another special participant was Mr. Bhim Bahadur Gole, President of the Nepal Vehicle Association, who kindly shared dry fruits and nuts with everyone during the hike. It was a simple but memorable gesture of care and friendship that added warmth to the journey.
The hiking trail was guided by Anil Lama, a local tourism entrepreneur and experienced escort for the route. After around one and a half hours of walking through forests and uphill stone stairs, we reached the famous Gupteshwor Cave near Konjyosom. The cave was naturally beautiful, narrow, and mysterious. Some of our friends entered deep inside the cave, while others observed from outside and learned about the local beliefs, stories, and spiritual values connected with the place.
Finally, we reached our main destination -Konjyosom.
At the top, we were warmly welcomed by Mr. Gopilala Sintang, the immediate past president of Konjyosom Rural Municipality, along with his team. He shared the story and cultural importance of the destination with us. The name “Konjyosom” itself means “Three Gods” in the Tamang language, which reflects the spiritual identity of the area.
The site is becoming an important spiritual and tourism destination. There stands a magnificent 56-feet statue of Amitabha Buddha, along with 48-feet Guru Rinpoche (Barja Guru) and Phapa Chyanggresi statues. The construction project began on 2075/01/24 B.S. during Buddha Purnima and has already completed around 30 months of development work.
We spent nearly one and a half hours exploring the peaceful hilltop. The panoramic landscapes, spiritual atmosphere, and cool environment made the place feel truly special. During our discussion, NTDEA board member Upadesh Sjb Kunwar mentioned that Konjyosom has strong potential to become a wellness tourism destination and should be developed as a high-value tourist attraction for both domestic and international travelers.
Because of our limited time and remaining responsibilities, Maila Dai brought the bus to the hilltop, and we continued our journey downhill by vehicle. Soon we reached our lunch destination, which became another unforgettable experience of the trip.
The lunch stop was at the beautiful heritage property called 17 Jhyal Resort. The place itself carries a remarkable history. According to Anil Lama, the resort building originally belonged to his great-grandfather. Surprisingly, the house survived both the devastating 1934 earthquake and the 2015 earthquake without major damage. Today, the historical house has been beautifully transformed into a guesthouse and local resort that serves visitors traveling through the region.
The hospitality, culture, and peaceful atmosphere of the area deeply impressed all of us. We also learned that this route is part of the broader Tamang Trail, a trekking route of around 35 kilometers connecting Konjyosom to Bethanchok in Kavrepalanchowk District.
On our return journey, we made a short stop at Lele before quickly visiting the famous Tikabhairav Temple. The temple had suffered heavy damage during last year’s flood, and reconstruction work by the local government is currently ongoing.
After almost ten hours of travel, hiking, exploration, learning, and unforgettable memories, I finally returned to Kalimati. The day was not only about hiking; it was about discovering hidden tourism potential, understanding local culture, and building connections with communities that still preserve authentic Tamang traditions and hospitality. It was truly an amazing and memorable journey. Special Thank you Bharat Pd Timalsina and local people of Vardeu and Konjyosom.
Comments
Post a Comment