The Village Discovery Tour

Flame Tree in bloom between No.12 Dhura and Kashyem
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Having spent many weeks in No.12 Dhura, and walked between there and Kashyem at least once per week, I decided to join the Village Discover Tour for one day to explore the nearby area.  The tour is a non-profit initiative supported by Mondo Challenge, which aims to generate income for the villages and provide walkers with an insight into Nepali life in the Kalimpong area as well as a very pleasant walk in the foothills of the Himalayas. I joined the tour at the end of day 1 as I had done the walk between No.12 and Kashyem.  I watched the Nepali cultural show, dancing courtesy of some of the girls form the school, and joined in the eating of traditional Nepali food!

Eagle perched near Kashyem
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On day 2 of the tour, we walked from No.12 Dhura to Kashyem via a different path to that which I had regularly taken.  The 'high' road was longer but commanded spectacular views of both villages from above.  After a short stop in Kashyem (for tea, of course!) we went by car to the village of Burmaik, from where we climbed up the hill and into Sillery Forest.  The forest was lovely, quiet, apart from the birdsong and the sounds of our feet on the leafy ground.  After a couple of hours up the hill and through the forest, we were provided with a picnic lunch. Nepali 'picnics' are not like English picnics - no cold food and hampers.  Instead, a fire, cooking pots and full, freshly cooked meal of potato curry, chicken and rice (washed down with some local berr, of course). The spot where we ate is near a viewpoint, although sadly there as little to see on this hazy, overcast day in early April.  We could see Barranumber, down below, and make out the river Teesta in the valley the other way. After lunch we headed down hill and visited Damsang fort, a ruined palace built by a Lepcha King in the 1700s.  After that we continued downwards and finished our day in Twelfth Mile, where we were greeting with tea and biscuits!  A thoroughly enjoyable day!

Sillery Forest
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