If you’re looking to trade the honking horns of the city for absolute peace, do what my friend and I did: hop on a scooty and head deep into the hills of eastern Nepal. We wanted a quiet trip far away from the crowded tourist hotspots, and our spontaneous ride to Mayung Danda delivered exactly that—dust, silence, freezing winds, and all.

The Scooty Ride: Itahari to Chakhewa

Our journey kicked off from Itahari, taking us up through the winding bends of Vedetar, climbing higher to the chilly air of Hile, rolling across Bhojpur, and finally pushing towards Chakhewa.

The first leg of the ride was no joke. We started on a flat, dusty, and hot road that tested our patience, but things quickly got interesting as the road began to twist up into the gorgeous Bhojpur hills. By the time we rolled into Chakhewa, we were completely covered in a thick layer of road dust, exhausted, and ready to crash for the night.

Into the Woods to Dhotre

The next morning at 7:30 AM, we strapped on our gear—reliable wind and waterproof jackets, trousers, sturdy waterproof shoes, and gloves to guard against the biting ridge winds—and packed our backpacks with a stash of protein bars and water for hydration.

Leaving the roaring scooty engine behind, stepping into the quiet woods felt like instant therapy. April brings a unique kind of magic here: due to occasional spring rainfall, the trail was draped in thick fog, and the dense forest felt otherworldly. We walked surrounded by vibrant, blooming varieties of rhododendron forests. While it wasn't a heavily commercialized tourist highway, we did cross paths with a few other fellow trekkers along the way, sharing brief nods and greetings in the mist before returning to the quiet sound of our own footsteps.

We took constant breaks on big mossy rocks, chugging water and energy bars to keep our energy up. By 1:30 PM, after stopping frequently for photos and breathers, we finally reached Dhotre. We were starving, but since we rolled in way past regular lunch hours, the food was ice-cold and honestly pretty mediocre. But sitting there laughing about freezing rice while sharing stories made it unforgettable.

Hitting the Ridge: Fog, Horses, and Freezing Winds

With our stomachs somewhat settled, we kept pushing forward. Once we cleared the dense trees, we hit the massive, endless grassy ridges of the Mundhum Trail.

Because of the April weather and mist, the climate was pretty harsh. Thick fog hugged the trail the entire way, completely blocking any distant Himalayan peak views. But walking across that massive grassy expanse swallowed in heavy fog felt surreal—like we were walking right through the clouds. Along the way, we stumbled upon herds of wild horses and sheep peacefully grazing on the green grasses. They weren't phased by us at all, calmly letting us walk right past them.

As the afternoon wore on, the wind picked up, turning fiercely cold. We finally reached Maiyung at around 6:00 PM, shivering to the bone. We grabbed our room and made a beeline straight for the kitchen stove, crowding around the fire to thaw out alongside other travelers doing the same. The locals told us that up on nearby Silichung peak, it was actively snowing!

Clearing Skies and Headed Back Home

The next morning treated us to a stunning turnaround. The sun finally broke through the clouds, clearing up the weather and bathing the ridge in brilliant morning light. We sat right at the top of the ridge, soaking in the panoramic views of the green hills and the peaceful wilderness.

After soaking it all in, we started our journey back to Chakhewa, picked up our scooty, and rode down to Deurali, Bhojpur. After two days of roughing it in the cold and dust, taking a hot-water shower and eating a genuinely amazing, hot meal felt like pure luxury.

On our final morning, we woke up refreshed, visited the historic Sidhhakali temple, and took in a sweeping view of Bhojpur town spread out below the hill. With our spirits high and memories locked in, we hopped back on the bike and rode back home.

Quick Trip Tips for Future Riders & Trekkers:
Gear Up: April weather on the ridges is unpredictable. Pack wind/waterproof jackets, trousers, and solid gloves—the ridge wind is no joke!
Fuel Up: Pack plenty of water and protein bars, as lodge options and meal times can be spaced out.
Best Part: The absolute silence of the rhododendron forests, bumping into a few kindred-spirit trekkers on the trail, and the surreal feeling of walking the foggy ridges with grazing horses.