Spring 2003

Trekking to Duble
National Park Chitwan

During previous treks I often walked in rhododendron forests but always outside the flowering season. A journey in springtime was required to rectify this situation.
I go together with my niece Annette on an trekking to Duble, the home village of Kame. We start walking in Jiri. We rent camping gear, tents and kitchen at Multiadventure.
In 3.5 days we walk via Chulo Pani, Pakhanthhali and Kiji to Duble. For the journey back we had selected a route via Kilkhording and Pike Peak (4065 m.), but Annette appeared to be sensitive to altitude sickness. We choose therefore a route that stays at a lower altitude.
After a couple of days in Kathmandu, we go to Chitwan. For me this is the second time at Chitwan Jungle Lodge, but the first time in spring.

On our last day in Kathmandu we attend a New Year picnic/party organized by Kame's family and friends. They celebrate the New Year with good food, a moderate amount of alcohol, music and dance.

I kept quite an extensive diary during this particular journey in Nepal and I intend to replace above summary with a more detailed account when time permits.
As a foretaste, herewith some details of the route we followed on our trek to Duble:

1. Start: Kathmandu - Jiri
2. Jiri - Chulo Pani (up: 1180m., down: 449m.)
3. Chulo Pani - Pakanthali
4. Pakanthali - Kiji
5. Kiji - Duble
6. Day in Duble
7. Duble - Chuplung
8. Chuplung - Digarpu
9. Digarpu - Lumbu/Bhandar (up: 1150m., down: 920m.)
10. Lumbu/Bhandar - Shivalaya
11. Shivalaya - Jiri
12. End: Jiri - Kathmandu.