The Big Game – Trip Report

Explore Himalaya recently organized a team building program ( 7 nights) entitled ‘The Big Game’ for members of the MTS Retail , Russia which had 74 participants. After their arrival at TIA, the team was transferred to Nagarkot from where their trip officialy started. Below is the day by day report followed by the group.

 Day 1(10^th May):  After their arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, the team was transferred to Nagarkot from where their trip officially started. At Nagarkot some activities on Team Building took place along with an enlightening Photography lesson and a cookery workshop on “Nepalese Cuisine” conducted by the F&B team of Country Villa Resort, Nagarkot. The group got to learn first hand how to prepare a Nepalese meat curry.

Day 2 (11^th May) : After an early breakfast, the participants got to attend a workshop on “Business Management” was held at the hotel. The trainer of the program was well renowned trainer and resource person Mr. Jonas Ridderstrale whom the MTS group had hired. Dr. Ridderstråle is  one of the world’s most influential and respected business thinkers and speakers and a management guru of note. He is the author of the international bestsellers Funky Business, Karaoke Capitalism, Funky Business Forever, and Re-energizing the Corporation.The 2009 ‘Thinkers 50’ the biennial ranking of management thinkers, ranked him at number 23 globally and put him on the top-five list in Europe.

 After the training, the group had a hearty lunch and was transferred to Jalbire, the starting point of the trek. The group trekked for 5 hours, from 4 pm-8 pm to reach Bishankar, the first camp. This was a special plan incorporated to make the group walk at night, in the dark with the help of a torch.

Day 3 (12^th May):After last evening’s tiring hike, the group woke up refreshed  early in the morning for some meditation and yoga lessons. Yoga lesson was conducted by learned yogacharya, Dr.Subodh Shukla. After the lessons, the energized group members had their breakfast and set off for the day’s trek. After walking for 3-4 hours the group lunched at Deurali. Situated at an elevation of 2400m , Deurali offered the best viewpoint to view Himalayan peaks enroute. After lunch and enjoying the views the group headed to Thagam(1800m). The group reached the camp around 4 p.m where they were received warmly by the locals and school students. After the traditional welcome with ‘tikas’ and ‘khadas’ the group relaxed and played games like carom board and cricket at the camp. Afterwards the group enjoyed traditional Nepali music and local wine with BBQ dinner. 

Day 4 (13^th May) : The third day of the trek was the most challenging one for the group. After some early morning yoga lessons they started the trek right after breakfast. It was a long day’s trek for the group.  It took them 5 long hours to reach the lunch point Sampukhani which was situated at a river bank. After lunch, the tired group hiked uphill for 3 hours to reach the third camp. En route they passed by the villages of Damje and Ghipche. The members were happy to reach the camp and rest their weary legs. After enjoying a hearty meal/ dinner, the group retired early.

Day 5 (14^th May): The fourth day was comparatively  easy for the group as the trial was easy and they had to walk less. After yoga lessons, the group visited the Buddhist Nunnery ( Ani gomba)in Chaggam (2600m). Chaggam or Sherpagaon is known as the village of the Anis(Buddhist nuns). This unique settlement in Sindhupalchowk is the retreat of a community of Anis or buddhist nuns. Except for the Anis, no other people live here. The village has a 'gompa' (monastery) and houses where the Anis live. The group took pictures and interacted with the Buddhist nuns. The group then trekked to Listimai (named after the shrine of a Hindu goddess located at the place) where they had lunch and took rest for some time. After lunch, the group made the final leg of their trek and descended to ‘The Last Resort’ located near Nepal- Tibet border.  The group had a fun time. 15 people had enough to try out canyoning which they enjoyed thoroughly from the high bridge. Evening ended with everyone enjoying a sumptuous dinner and round of drinks.

Day 6 (15^th May):The fifth day was the jump day for the group and more than 50 participants made their bungee jumps and Canyon swing from the high bridge. The group enjoyed the bungee so much that many of them had a second go. After lunch , the group  was transferred to their hotel in Kathmandu. A surprise Birthday party for one of the participants made the day more memorable for the group. 

Day 7 (16^th May): The group spent the sixth day sightseeing in the Kathmandu valley. They visited Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath and Patan Durbar Square. In order to make their last evening in Nepal   memorable, Explore Himalaya arranged a farewell dinner for the group at a traditional Nepali restaurant, ‘Utsav’. Enjoying authentic Nepali cuisine and Nepali cultural show, the group ended their trip on a merry note dancing to the tunes of Nepali folk songs.