Nagarkot Day Hike via Sakhu to Changu Narayan

Overview

This classic day hike combines the best mountain viewpoint near Kathmandu with two of the valley’s most atmospheric old places. Drive up to Nagarkot (2,175 m) on the eastern rim of the valley for a panorama of the Himalaya, then walk down through pine forest and terraced farmland to the old Newar town of Sakhu (Sankhu), and on along the ridge to the hilltop temple of Changu Narayan – the oldest temple in Nepal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – before driving back to Kathmandu.

Along the way you pass Tamang and Brahmin villages, rice and millet terraces, small shrines and tea shops, and see traditional rural life just an hour from the city. Most of the walking is downhill or on gentle ridges, with one climb up to Changu Narayan. A private vehicle and an English-speaking guide are included.

The route at a glance

Drive Kathmandu – Nagarkot (about 1.5 hours) and enjoy the mountain view, hike down to Sakhu (about 2.5 hours), continue to Changu Narayan (about 2 hours), visit the temple and drive back to Kathmandu (about 1 hour).

Why choose this hike?

Himalayan views from Nagarkot without an overnight stay.
Old Newar town of Sakhu and the World Heritage temple of Changu Narayan.
Mostly downhill walking through villages and farmland.
Easily combined with a visit to Bhaktapur.

Who is it for?

Families, culture lovers and anyone with reasonable fitness who wants a full day out with views, villages and heritage. Best from October to May.

ITINERARY IN BRIEF WITH LOCATION MAP

Trip Facts

Tour Code: PTT-NP-HK-05
Duration: 1 Day
Program Type: Day Hike
Maximum Altitude: 2175m
Minimum Pax: 1
Mode of Travel: Land Transport
Start Trip: Kathmandu Hotel
End Trip: Kathmandu Hotel
Program Grading: Easy

Trip at a Glance

Day 01: Drive Kathmandu – Nagarkot, hike via Sakhu to Changu Narayan and drive back to Kathmandu

Trip Highlights

Himalayan panorama from Nagarkot (2,175 m)
Forest and village trails down to the old Newar town of Sakhu
Changu Narayan, the oldest temple in Nepal (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Terraced farmland and rural life on the edge of the valley
Private transport and an English-speaking guide

Itinerary in Details

Day 01Drive Kathmandu – Nagarkot, hike via Sakhu to Changu Narayan and drive back to Kathmandu
Drive about 1.5 hours to Nagarkot and 1 hour back, hike 4–5 hours | Highest point: Nagarkot 2,175 m | End of day in Kathmandu

Leave your hotel early and drive east past Bhaktapur and up the winding road to Nagarkot (2,175 m). From the viewpoint, enjoy the Himalayan panorama – on clear days from Ganesh Himal and Langtang to Dorje Lakpa, Gauri Shankar and, far to the east, Everest. After a tea break, start walking down through pine forest and Tamang villages, with views across the valley, to the old Newar town of Sakhu. Explore its brick lanes and courtyards, and stop for lunch.

In the afternoon follow the trail across the valley floor and through terraced fields, then climb to the ridge-top village of Changu Narayan. The temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and first built in the 4th century, is the oldest in Nepal and is decorated with some of the finest stone, wood and metal carvings in the country. After your visit, drive back to Kathmandu.
- CountryNepal
- Highest PointNagarkot
- Altitude2,175m / 7,136ft
- Travel ModeDrive: 32 km / 1 hr / 30 min · Trek: 14 km / 4 hr / 30 min · Drive: 22 km / 1 hr
- Places VisitedKathmandu, Nagarkot, Sakhu, Changunarayan Temple, Kathmandu

Altitude Chart of Nagarkot Day Hike via Sakhu to Changu Narayan

Total Hiking Time: 4h 30m

Highest point: 7,136 ft / 2,175 m — Day 01 · Drive Kathmandu – Nagarkot, hike via Sakhu to Changu Narayan and drive back to Kathmandu

Services Included

Hotel pick-up and drop by private vehicle
English-speaking guide
Drinking water during the hike
All taxes, fuel surcharges and service fees

Services Excluded

Extra Personal Expenses.
Lunch
Travel insurance
Extra Transport services
Tips & Gratuities

Trip Notes

Notes for this hike

Grade: easy to moderate – about 4–5 hours of walking, mostly downhill, with one climb of about 1 hour to Changu Narayan.
Entrance fee: the Changu Narayan entrance fee is payable on the spot unless included in your quote.
Food: lunch is at a local restaurant on the way (own cost).
Views: mountain views are clearest in the morning from October to April.
Option: start before dawn to catch the sunrise at Nagarkot, or extend to Bhaktapur on the way back.

Equipment List

Trekking boots
Warm layers and a down jacket
Waterproof outer shell
Trekking poles
Headlamp with spare batteries
Sleeping bag (seasonal)
Sunglasses and sun hat
Basic first-aid kit
Water bottle / purification tablets
Basic toiletries

FAQ

About 8–9 hours from your hotel: 1.5 hours’ drive to Nagarkot, 4–5 hours of walking with breaks and lunch, time at Changu Narayan and about 1 hour’s drive back.

Easy to moderate. Most of the trail is downhill from Nagarkot to Sakhu, followed by about 1 hour of climbing to Changu Narayan. Good walking shoes and reasonable fitness are enough.

On clear days, yes – Nagarkot has one of the best Himalayan views near Kathmandu. Views are best in the morning from October to April and often cloudy in the monsoon.

A Hindu temple to Lord Vishnu on a hilltop above the valley, first built in the 4th century – the oldest temple in Nepal and part of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lunch is at a local restaurant on the way, at your own cost. Drinking water is included.

The Changu Narayan entrance fee is payable on the spot unless your quote says it is included.

Yes, we can start before dawn for the sunrise, or arrange an overnight stay in Nagarkot the night before.

Yes, active children usually enjoy it; the route can be shortened by driving part of the way.

Walking shoes, a day pack, water bottle, sun hat, sunscreen, a light jacket and some cash for lunch and entrance fees.

Yes, private for your group with your own guide and vehicle, on any date.

Cancellation Policy

If cancel 72 hour before , 100 % will be refund
If cancel 48 hour before, 75 % will be refund
If cancel 24 hour before, 50 % will be refund
If cancel in less than 24 hour before, no refund

Booking Policy

Booking your Nepal tour with Pigeon Travel & Tours is easy:

Book online with the Book Now button when it is active, or send us the enquiry form / email with your dates, number of travellers and hotel preference.
A deposit of 20–30% of the total tour cost is required to confirm your booking.
The remaining balance is payable on arrival in Kathmandu, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Domestic flight tickets, permits and other non-refundable items included in the package are paid at the time of confirmation.
Please send a copy of your passport and your arrival/departure flight details so that we can arrange pick-up, hotels and tickets.
Your booking is confirmed once the deposit and the completed booking details are received and we send you a written confirmation.

Child Policy

We welcome families, and children are very welcome on our Nepal tours.

Under 5 years: free of charge when sharing their parents' room and bed (no extra bed).
5 to 12 years: discounted child rate – please ask us for the exact price for your dates and hotel.
Above 12 years: charged the full adult rate.
An extra bed or a separate room for children is charged as per the hotel's policy; domestic flights are charged at the airline's child fare.
Children under 10 years receive a free (gratis) Nepal tourist visa on arrival.

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Nagarkot Day Hike via Sakhu to Changu Narayan