Kathmandu valley hiking trek
Trip Overview
Kathmandu valley hiking trek offers various trekking routes that can be accessed within a day’s hike. The City is fortified by a chain of mountains. The trek has been made for people on a limited budget and wants to explore the scenic surroundings of the Valley. The hiking trek although categorized as an easy trek, the walking requires some stamina and strength. However the treks are conducted in low altitude areas it would be simple enough. Along with its adventurous aspect this hiking trek has also an additional point of education and learning about the people who live nearby one of the historic places in Nepal.
The Kathmandu valley hiking trek are short treks that can be done near and around the Kathmandu valley, just within few hours. For someone who wants to experience some trekking tips and educate themselves about the typical rural life that starts few kilometers away from the Capital city, this tour can be a boon for them. Trekking around Kathmandu valley will also give you a chance for a personal insight into the Nepali history, village life, culture and religion.
This trekking trail will give you a chance to view the majestic Himalayan ranges which includes the view of Mt. Everest in the east up to Mount Manaslu and Himchuli that stretches towards the west. Besides these, Mount Langtang and Ganesh Himal also can be viewed up close and near on the northern part of city. If you are lucky enough and there is a clear day; some parts of the Annapurna range can also be seen. You also get a chance to explore the culture of the surrounding villages. Moreover, the rich variety in flora and fauna that is found within this short distance trek is another attraction of the Kathmandu hiking trek. Walking inside forests laden with Pine trees alongside pines and rhododendron forests will be a once in a life time experience you will get nowhere else.
| Days : | 1Day |
| Seasons : | All seasons |
| Starting From : | Kathmandu |
| End Point : | Kathmandu |
| Mode of Travel : | hiking |
| No. of Pax : | Minimum 2person |
Shivapuri - Day hike
Shivapuri is located at an altitude of 2732m and is second highest hilltop that surrounds Kathmandu valley at the North. The hiking trek starts with a drive to Budhanilkantha. Here we will be visiting the temple of Hindu God Vishnu who lays there in a sleeping position. We will then hike uphill towards the starting of Shivapuri forest. The trail then becomes somewhat steep where we will be hiking for about an hour after which the trekking trail becomes easier. The hiking trail comes to a flat level as it comes along the ridge. For the last part of the trail, we will continue a steep walk for about 2 to 3 hours. The views during the hiking from atop Shivapuri hill something to die for. We would like to suggest an overnight camp in the area.
Changunarayan to Sundarijal – Day hike
After 45 minutes drive from Kathmandu, we reach the temple of Changunarayan which was built in 323 AD and has a historical and cultural value to it. It is revered place of worship as it offers in-depth notion of the culture that has been there since ages. We will walk to Nagarkot which is situated at an height of 2200m. We will stay overnight there to see the sun set in the evening and the beautiful sunrise on the background of a stretched Himalayan range. You will be booking for you own accommodation here as there are good budget hotels to luxurious ones. After viewing the sunrise the next morning we will hike along the trail from Nagarkot and pass through several villages before reaching Bhotechaur from where we will descend towards Sundarijal and drive back to Kathmandu.
Champadevi - Day hike
On the Western part of the Kathmandu valley lies Champadevi at an altitude of 2278m. The hiking trail begins from Pikhel which is on the way to Dakshinakali. We will be heading towards North and reach Neupane Danda then we will continue an uphill hike towards the northwest direction along through tall pine forest before reaching Champadevi. Champadevi lies at the hill top and gives an unmatched view of the Kathmandu valley and the whole Himalaya range. Along the trek we will also be visiting Buddhist stupa along with Hindu temples that are on the way that will lead us to Kirtipur. We will hike from Champadevi to Bhamesmar and further hike downhill and reach Kirtipur.
Dhulikhel to Namobuddha via Panauti - day hike
Dhulikhel is about 30 km East from the main Kathmandu city on the Arniko (Kathmandu-Kodari) highway. There are many places to stay there for spectacular views of mountain ranges and lower valley. If you plan to stay there ahead of the hike you will be mesmerized by the Himalayan range that extends endlessly from the east to the west. The hiking trek starts from Dhulikhel from where we will walk towards Namo Buddha, one of the revered places of Buddhist pilgrims. We will walk past divverent settlements and will have a chance to interact with them on the way. We will also be stopping by for some local snacks on the way before we reach Namo Buddha. Mythological pundits say that Lord Buddha, in one of his incarnations, came here and fed his flesh to a hungry tigress so that she could feed her cubs. You will be acclimatizing with the local Buddhist culture as the place contains several stupas and colorful prayer flags that you will see fluttering.
We will then descend towards Panauti which is an old settlement of Newar people. Here you will get a chance to be face to face with the ancient style of craftsmanship that are placed in the temples. We will take a tour of the 14th century old Indreshwar Mahadev temple along with Brahmayani that was built in the 17th century. We will take a ride from Panauti to Banepa and back to Kathmandu. Or if you are interested to stay there, you will find good budgeted hotels in Dhulikhel.
Phulchowki (2759m) – day hike
On this hike we will drive towards Godavari which is approximately 18 km outside Kathmandu. We will stroll in the botanical garden and take a walk uphill. We will be ascending through gravel roads that will eventually lead us to the top of Phulchauki. Phulchauki is the higest hill that sorrounds Kathmandu valley. Throughout the hiking trail we will come across thick bushes of rhododendron forest and beautiful orchid flowers which will be blooming during the spring season. For snowfall, you can always hike the trail during the winter season preferably in December. The top of Phulchauki also provides an unobstructed scenic view of Himalaya range that stretches from Everest to Annapurna. We will also visit a a Buddhist stupa decorated with colorful prayer flags. After a stay there we will descend back t Godavari from where we will return back to Kathmandu.
Changunarayan to Nagarkot (2175m) – day hike
After a 22 km or a 45-minutes drive from Kathmandu, we reach the temple of Changunarayan which was built in 323 AD and has a historical and cultural value to it. It is a four hour steep uphill drive from the historic city of Bhaktapur before we reach Changunarayan. Built by King Hari Dutta Varma the temple is decorated with unmatched sculptures and carvings. The temple, built during the rule of Lichhavi dynasty, is also believed to be the temple in the Kathmandu valley. It is revered place of worship as it offers in-depth notion of the culture that has been there since ages. We will walk towards Nagarkot, which is situated at an altitude of 2200m, through various villages where we will make our time to interact and know the people and their culture. We will also take local lunch where you can indulge yourself in the local cuisine. We will stay overnight there to see the sun set in the evening and the beautiful sunrise on the background of a stretched Himalayan range.
Shivapuri is located at an altitude of 2732m and is second highest hilltop that surrounds Kathmandu valley at the North. The hiking trek starts with a drive to Budhanilkantha. Here we will be visiting the temple of Hindu God Vishnu who lays there in a sleeping position. We will then hike uphill towards the starting of Shivapuri forest. The trail then becomes somewhat steep where we will be hiking for about an hour after which the trekking trail becomes easier. The hiking trail comes to a flat level as it comes along the ridge. For the last part of the trail, we will continue a steep walk for about 2 to 3 hours. The views during the hiking from atop Shivapuri hill something to die for. We would like to suggest an overnight camp in the area.
Changunarayan to Sundarijal – Day hike
After 45 minutes drive from Kathmandu, we reach the temple of Changunarayan which was built in 323 AD and has a historical and cultural value to it. It is revered place of worship as it offers in-depth notion of the culture that has been there since ages. We will walk to Nagarkot which is situated at an height of 2200m. We will stay overnight there to see the sun set in the evening and the beautiful sunrise on the background of a stretched Himalayan range. You will be booking for you own accommodation here as there are good budget hotels to luxurious ones. After viewing the sunrise the next morning we will hike along the trail from Nagarkot and pass through several villages before reaching Bhotechaur from where we will descend towards Sundarijal and drive back to Kathmandu.
Champadevi - Day hike
On the Western part of the Kathmandu valley lies Champadevi at an altitude of 2278m. The hiking trail begins from Pikhel which is on the way to Dakshinakali. We will be heading towards North and reach Neupane Danda then we will continue an uphill hike towards the northwest direction along through tall pine forest before reaching Champadevi. Champadevi lies at the hill top and gives an unmatched view of the Kathmandu valley and the whole Himalaya range. Along the trek we will also be visiting Buddhist stupa along with Hindu temples that are on the way that will lead us to Kirtipur. We will hike from Champadevi to Bhamesmar and further hike downhill and reach Kirtipur.
Dhulikhel to Namobuddha via Panauti - day hike
Dhulikhel is about 30 km East from the main Kathmandu city on the Arniko (Kathmandu-Kodari) highway. There are many places to stay there for spectacular views of mountain ranges and lower valley. If you plan to stay there ahead of the hike you will be mesmerized by the Himalayan range that extends endlessly from the east to the west. The hiking trek starts from Dhulikhel from where we will walk towards Namo Buddha, one of the revered places of Buddhist pilgrims. We will walk past divverent settlements and will have a chance to interact with them on the way. We will also be stopping by for some local snacks on the way before we reach Namo Buddha. Mythological pundits say that Lord Buddha, in one of his incarnations, came here and fed his flesh to a hungry tigress so that she could feed her cubs. You will be acclimatizing with the local Buddhist culture as the place contains several stupas and colorful prayer flags that you will see fluttering.
We will then descend towards Panauti which is an old settlement of Newar people. Here you will get a chance to be face to face with the ancient style of craftsmanship that are placed in the temples. We will take a tour of the 14th century old Indreshwar Mahadev temple along with Brahmayani that was built in the 17th century. We will take a ride from Panauti to Banepa and back to Kathmandu. Or if you are interested to stay there, you will find good budgeted hotels in Dhulikhel.
Phulchowki (2759m) – day hike
On this hike we will drive towards Godavari which is approximately 18 km outside Kathmandu. We will stroll in the botanical garden and take a walk uphill. We will be ascending through gravel roads that will eventually lead us to the top of Phulchauki. Phulchauki is the higest hill that sorrounds Kathmandu valley. Throughout the hiking trail we will come across thick bushes of rhododendron forest and beautiful orchid flowers which will be blooming during the spring season. For snowfall, you can always hike the trail during the winter season preferably in December. The top of Phulchauki also provides an unobstructed scenic view of Himalaya range that stretches from Everest to Annapurna. We will also visit a a Buddhist stupa decorated with colorful prayer flags. After a stay there we will descend back t Godavari from where we will return back to Kathmandu.
Changunarayan to Nagarkot (2175m) – day hike
After a 22 km or a 45-minutes drive from Kathmandu, we reach the temple of Changunarayan which was built in 323 AD and has a historical and cultural value to it. It is a four hour steep uphill drive from the historic city of Bhaktapur before we reach Changunarayan. Built by King Hari Dutta Varma the temple is decorated with unmatched sculptures and carvings. The temple, built during the rule of Lichhavi dynasty, is also believed to be the temple in the Kathmandu valley. It is revered place of worship as it offers in-depth notion of the culture that has been there since ages. We will walk towards Nagarkot, which is situated at an altitude of 2200m, through various villages where we will make our time to interact and know the people and their culture. We will also take local lunch where you can indulge yourself in the local cuisine. We will stay overnight there to see the sun set in the evening and the beautiful sunrise on the background of a stretched Himalayan range.
Hike Guide
- Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
- Trekking transportation
- Accommodation
- Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
- Trekking transportation
- Accommodation
- Private Transportation
- Drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Tips
- Any untoward incidents, natural or manmade
- Drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Tips
- Any untoward incidents, natural or manmade
Trip Facts
| Days : | 1Day |
| Destination : | All seasons |
| Activities : | Kathmandu |
| End Point : | Kathmandu |
| Mode of Travel : | hiking |
| No. of Pax : | Minimum 2person |
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