Enjoy a relaxing day hike in Bokara, a challenge even for beginners
If you're in Nepal but not yet ready to tackle the more advanced hiking trails, consider this beginner-friendly route. It only takes about half a day from the starting point to the campsite, where you can choose to spend a leisurely night in the great outdoors, enjoy the tranquility of nature, and wake up early the next day to watch the sunrise. If the weather is good, you might even be treated to a magnificent view of the snow-capped mountains.
How to get up the mountain
We made our plans last minute without any prior research, so we hired a local guide to lead us from the starting point to the campsite and back down the mountain. However, there are many signs to the Australian camp along the way, and if you can take a taxi/charter a car or take a bus to the hiking starting point shown in picture 2 (Australian camp starting point), you can follow the signs and use navigation to find your way up the mountain.
Is it difficult to climb the mountain?
The path up the mountain is mostly like what's shown in picture 3, and the difficulty level is probably similar to that of leisurely mountain hikes around cities in China, so it's not stressful for beginners. Along the way, you can also see animals like water buffaloes, goats, and monkeys, and we often stopped to take photos and look around, eventually completing the entire journey in just over two hours.
How to spend the night on the mountain
We stayed in an inn booked by our guide, and the mountain inns are generally like what's shown in picture 4, with basic accommodations that include a bed and utilities (with hot water), but you need to bring your own supplies. Although the meal options are limited and a bit expensive, they're not outrageously priced compared to what you'd find domestically. We chose to have a barbecue in the evening, and the charcoal fire brought a sense of warmth similar to sitting around a stove brewing tea on a quiet and cool mountain night. We also booked our breakfast for the next day in advance, and compared to the local Nepali food that we weren't quite used to, the breakfast was surprisingly tasty.
About the scenery
Unfortunately, it was a foggy day when we visited, so we didn't get to see the snow-capped mountains. However, travel always comes with its unexpected disappointments, and it's all about exploring and creating your own unique memories. The hazy mountain scenery can also give you a sense of a fairyland, lying on the grass near picture 1, looking at the vast white sky, the purity and silence that you let go of, guaranteeing an immediate sense of relaxation. If you're lucky enough to see the snow-capped mountains, you're sure to have another kind of impressive experience.