I was incredibly excited—almost on cloud nine—the night before our trip to Sauraha. Early the next morning, we set off on what turned out to be the longest journey our family had ever taken in our car. Along the way, we explored several places and stopped for lunch at Mugling before finally arriving at our lovely hotel in Sauraha.
Because of the heat, I couldn’t resist jumping straight into the cool swimming pool—and it was totally worth it. My cousin and I had a great time splashing around while the rest of the family went to visit the elephant stable (hattisar). Later, the three of us snuck out to explore the town and even tried some of Sauraha’s viral street food. By the time we returned, it was late, so we had dinner and went to bed feeling cozy and content.
The next morning, I was especially excited for canoeing. As we paddled along the river, we spotted a rhino, two crocodiles, and many beautiful kingfishers. After that, we enjoyed a 45-minute jungle walk, which was both thrilling and fun. Following breakfast, we headed to Bishazari Tal, where we took pictures and admired the breathtaking lake view—it truly felt magical.
Later, we visited a caged tiger before heading for lunch at Tharu Kitchen. The excitement continued as my cousins and I went for an elephant ride. There were so many elephants, and ours was a gentle one named Gulab. The ride lasted about an hour and a half, and along the way, we saw deer, rhinos, monkeys, crocodiles, fish, and more. It was one of the best experiences of my life.
In the afternoon, we went cycling on a special lane just for bicycles, which made the ride even more enjoyable. To end the day, we had a delicious dinner featuring crabs and other local lake delicacies before returning to our hotel for a peaceful night’s sleep.
The next day, it was time to leave Sauraha—and it honestly broke my heart. On our way back, we stopped at Maulakali Temple. We took a short cable car ride followed by a ten-minute walk to reach the temple, where we prayed and took in the peaceful surroundings. Later, we stopped for lunch and enjoyed dhido, a traditional Nepali dish.
As we drove home, I spent time chatting and laughing with my cousins. Even though the journey back was fun, saying goodbye to everyone wasn’t easy. This trip was truly one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. Despite the heat in Sauraha, I cherished every moment.
There’s a saying that even if a puzzle seems incomplete, the presence of family can make everything feel whole. That perfectly describes this trip—it was filled with love, joy, and unforgettable memories. #nepal
By Aakriti Pandeya, Class 5, Nisarga Batika School
