One day hiking around Kathmandu
Duration
Max Altitude
Difficulty
Group Size
Meals
- 1 Breakfast
- 1 Lunch
- 1 Dinner
Accommodation
- Hotel
Transportation
Activities
- Hiking and sightseeing


Introduction of One day hiking around Kathmandu
A one day hiking around Kathmandu is an ideal combination of nature, culture, and history, just near the capital city, Nagarkot to Changu Narayan. Early on, you will drive through beautiful green hills on the way to Nagarkot and experience one of the most beautiful sunrises in the Himalaya with a view of Mount Everest on clear mornings.
The One day hiking around Kathmandu is a gradual descent on foot alongside pine forests and traditional Tamang villages that cut through landscapes of terraced farmlands, offering spectacular views of the Kathmandu valley. It is a non-difficult to moderate trail that can be considered suitable for any fitness level, with numerous photography and relaxing opportunities.
Our one day hiking around Kathmandu ends at Changu Narayan Temple, which happens to be the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Learn more about its rich history, lovely architecture, and then be coupled with a traditional Nepali lunch in the village.
At lunch, you can comfortably get back to Kathmandu after visiting the best of Nepal’s natural beauty and cultural heritage all in one day. The hike suits tourists who desire to make a purposeful outdoor experience besides exploring the culture near the capital. The hike between Nagarkot and Changu Narayan is about 12-15 kilometers (7.5-9 miles), depending on the path that is taken.
Trip Highlights
- Sunrise at Nagarkot with panoramic Himalayan views.
- Easy ridge walk through scenic villages and farmland.
- Visit to Changu Narayan Temple with rich history and architecture.
Detail Itinerary of One day hiking around Kathmandu
Day 01: Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Nagarkot, and hike 4-5 hrs from Telkot to Nagar Changu Narayan Temple
Early Morning Kathmandu to Nagarkot
Time: 5:30 am 7- 00 am
You start your day early, and we take you to the Kathmandu hotel as our vehicle picks you up. You start the drive to Nagarkot, slowly waking up the silent streets of the city.
The bus ride takes 1.5 hours with a breath of lush and green hillsides, quaint villages, and the countryside winding into the mountains.
The clear and fresh air of the mountains and a peaceful picture create an ideal time to take pictures or just enjoy the scenery.
Morning- Nagarkot point to Telkot
Time: 7:15 am -10:00 am
The journey gets more fun as the adventurers experience the sunrise and carry on with the hike in a downward fashion over the Telkot. The path goes along the peaceful pine woods, and the smell of fresh mountain air will fill the air after each step. Amid this journey, you will traverse through typical Tamang villages, which give glimpses of the rural life in Nepal.
Farmland is laid out in terraces on hill sides with seasonal crops to provide pink and green color to the scenic spot. The treetops are filled with chirping birds, and the sights of rolling hills keep the part of the journey calm but still very naturally charming.
Midday-Telkot to Nagar Changu Narayan Temple
Time: 10:15 am- 12:30 pm
On our one day hiking around Kathmandu, starting at Telkot, you will head up toward the mountains on a scenic ridge trail which provides wide views of Kathmandu Valley and the greater Himalayas. This route is completely easy, and therefore it is fun for all fitness levels. The destination of your hike is the “Changu Narayan Temple,” which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal.
It is made of stones with the gorgeous carving of the temple. The design of this temple is pagoda-style, which is also peaceful, with a nice courtyard. The temple grounds are akin to time travel as ancient tales are depicted on the walls of the temple.
Lunch and Return To Kathmandu
Time: 12.30 pm 1 pm
Post your temple visit, you will get a comfortable traditional Nepali lunch at Changu Narayan village. Common local specialties can be dal bhat (lentils and rice), vegetables, and home-style pickles, which can make a great lunch to finish off a morning trip. After lunch, you will drive back to Kathmandu and arrive there in the afternoon.
On the way back, this is a relaxing journey that gives leisure to think of what was experienced on this day during this sunrise over the mountains, heritage walks, and serene countryside tracks.
Return and Drive Back to Kathmandu
Time: Around 3 pm
Once you have lunch in Changu Narayan, you will have a beautiful half-hour drive back to Kathmandu with a view of how people live in the village and the green mountains. Evening free to relax or explore, arrive at your hotel at 3:00 pm with the rest of the afternoon free to relax or explore.
Activity: 4-5 hrs hike
Max. Altitude: 2,195m/7,201ft. Nagarkot
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Note:
If you have a private group and prefer a personalized experience, we can organize a custom trip tailored to your requirements and group size, running it any day you choose.
Detail Information about One day hiking around Kathmandu
Sunrise View and Scenic Beauty
Nagarkot Changunarayan natural day hike and the Sunrise view of the whole Nagarkot with all its white peaks. It is possible to see Mount Everest at a distance of 8848 M through Nagarkot, the view tower. During this fantastic single-day hike, you will observe the beautiful hilltops as well as the beautiful Tamang villages around Nagarkot.
The Nagarkot top 2197 meters spot where one can see the majestic white mountains of the world. The one day hiking round Kathmandu, take a drive towards Nagarkot in the morning, and hiking down to the Changunarayan temples, is no less astonishing!
Breathtaking views of the Himalaya, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, and Everest
At a cool mountain top Nagarkot view top, one can see along the side the Himalayan Dhaulagiri (8167 meters/26,795 feet) and Kanchanjunga (8586 meters/28,169 feet) of the Himalaya in the west On most clear days Nagarkot is the best location to get a spectacular view of Mount Everest as well as the other mountains that are a part of the Himalaya range. Best Season to Hike around Kathmandu
Best Season for Hiking Around Kathmandu
You may be able to hike throughout the year around Kathmandu. Nevertheless, the most appropriate season concerning day hiking tours in Kathmandu comes during the Autumn and Spring. Between September and December are the Autumn Season months, which are marked by stability of weather conditions and moderate temperatures.
You will have an opportunity to see the snow-capped mountains on a clear, blue sky. In addition to that, most of the festivals, such as Dashain, Tihar, and others as well, take place during the Autumn. Another perfect season to go on the hike is during the Spring Season. March-May would be scenic months with green vegetation covering everywhere in the trails.
There is also quite a variety of similar animals to be found as they leave their winter dens. The best thing about one day hiking around Kathmandu in spring. Because it is a favorable day, time temperatures and clear skies, other than that, the region experiences monsoon season from June to August, which features a heavy downpour.
This causes the area to be slippery and with leeches along the trails. It is bitterly cold in the higher elevations in winter. On the whole, day hiking tours are best during the seasons of Autumn and Spring in Kathmandu.
Meals during the hike
During One day hiking around Kathmandu, your nutrition during the hiking should be carefully arranged as your meals will energize and satisfy your journey. An early breakfast, either at your hotel in Kathmandu before departure or at a local destination in Nagarkot, is followed by bread, eggs, porridge or pancakes, and tea or coffee.
You will then have a traditional, freshly prepared Nepali lunch in the village at midday after having explored Changu Narayan Temple. This is usually dal bhat (rice, lentil soup, and seasonal vegetables) with pickles and sometimes meat, so it can be a hearty, balanced meal. Using fresh and locally grown ingredients, which in many cases come directly or close to the farm, gives the dishes not only flavor but also authenticity.
Although this hike does not include snacks, you can bring a light pack lunch consisting of snack food like energy bars, nuts, or fruit, which you can take on short breaks.
The nutrition and flavor of all meals served are of hygienically cooked food, and you can afford to concentrate on the hike and the beautiful surroundings without worrying about food safety.
Most Popular Things and Places that You Can See During Hike
Our One day hiking around Kathmandu is an engaging hike with a combination of stunning landscape, cultural richness, as well as rural simplicity, and therefore, the most memorable one-day hike out of Kathmandu. In between you will find:
• Mountain Views of Panoramas Nagarkot: Nagarkot’s ridge offers panoramic views of the Himalayan range, consisting of Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Gaurishankar, and even Mount Everest, under clear weather conditions.
• Terraced Farmlands: The trail goes through lush, layered paddy fields and mustard plantations and provides a peek into the traditional Nepalese agriculture.
• Traditional Villages: Stroll through the small Tamang and Newar villages where you can see the early ways of people, the architecture, and the cordiality shown.
• Changu Narayan Temple: UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest Hindu temples in Nepal, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, has carved intricate carvings in wood and stone dating back to the 5th century.
• Cultural Artifacts and Crafts: Go around Changu Narayan with local handicraft stalls and check out wood carvings, thangka paintings, and souvenirs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is One day hiking around kathmandu supposed to be?
Approximately between 4-5 hours or more, depending on your speed and breaks.
Is that hard?
It is a moderate grade hike but accessible to new as well as experienced families.
Whether I have a guide?
It is not compulsory, but one would add a guide who can help make the experience through local knowledge.
How about clothes?
Shoes in which to walk comfortably, light layers, and a hat to protect against the Sun.
Does food show up along the line?
Yes, you will see small tea houses and local eateries along the way on the hike.
When is best time for one day hiking around Kathmandu?
Spring (Mar-May) and autumn (Sept-Nov) to get clear skies and fine weather.
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