Trekking Around Kathmandu

mountain-view-from-chisapani-sindhupalchowk1

mountain-view-from-chisapani-sindhupalchowk

Overview

Short on time but want a real taste of trekking in Nepal? The 4 Days Trekking Around Kathmandu (3 nights / 4 days) follows the green hills on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley – the classic Kathmandu Valley Rim Trek – from Sundarijal through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park to Chisapani, on to the famous sunrise viewpoint of Nagarkot, through Tamang villages to Dhulikhel, and finally to the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namobuddha, the farming village of Balthali and the old Newar town of Panauti. A licensed trekking guide, porters (one porter for two trekkers), all meals on the trek, lodge or hotel nights, national park fees and private transfers at the start and end are included.

The walking is easy to moderate – four to six hours a day on village trails and forest paths between about 1,500 m and 2,300 m – so it suits families, first-time trekkers and anyone with only a few days. Along the way you climb through oak, pine and rhododendron forest (red with blooms in March and April), pass terraced fields, small tea shops and Tamang, Brahmin and Newar villages, and on clear days see a panorama of the Himalaya from Langtang and Ganesh Himal to Gauri Shankar and Dorje Lakpa – and from Nagarkot, sometimes Everest itself.

Why choose this trek?

Real trekking and mountain views without flights or high altitude.
Sunrise over the Himalaya from Chisapani and Nagarkot.
Culture all the way – Tamang villages, Namobuddha monastery and medieval Panauti.
Starts and ends in Kathmandu; possible all year.

Who is it for?

Families, beginners, short-stay travellers and anyone wanting to stretch their legs before or after a longer tour. No previous trekking experience is needed. Best from October to May; it also runs in the monsoon, with greener hills but muddier trails.

ITINERARY IN BRIEF WITH LOCATION MAP

Trip Facts

Tour Code: PTT-NPL-TREK-001
Duration: 4 Days
Program Type: Hiking
Maximum Altitude: 2300m
Minimum Pax: 1
Mode of Travel: Drive/Trek
Start Trip: Kathmandu
End Trip: Kathmandu
Program Grading: Easy

Trip at a Glance

Day 01: Drive Kathmandu – Sundarijal (about 1 hour) – trek through Shivapuri National Park to Chisapani (about 4 hours)
Day 02: Trek Chisapani – Chauki Bhanjyang – Nagarkot (about 6 hours)
Day 03: Nagarkot sunrise – trek via Rohini Bhanjyang and Tanchok to Dhulikhel (about 5 hours)
Day 04: Drive to Namobuddha – trek to Balthali and Khopasi – Panauti – drive back to Kathmandu

Trip Highlights

Classic Kathmandu Valley Rim trek in 4 days
Forest trail through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
Sunset and sunrise over Langtang and Ganesh Himal from Chisapani
Himalayan sunrise at Nagarkot
Tamang villages between Nagarkot and Dhulikhel
Namobuddha stupa and monastery
Balthali village and the old Newar town of Panauti

Itinerary in Details

Day 01Drive Kathmandu – Sundarijal (about 1 hour) – trek through Shivapuri National Park to Chisapani (about 4 hours)
Drive about 1 hour, trek about 4 hours | Altitude: Chisapani, about 2,215 m | Overnight: Chisapani (lodge)

After breakfast drive to Sundarijal on the north-east edge of the valley. The trail climbs stone steps beside the reservoir and up through oak and pine forest in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, a good area for birdwatching, to the ridge at Borlang Bhanjyang and on to the hill village of Chisapani. In the evening, and again at sunrise, enjoy views of the Langtang, Ganesh Himal and Jugal ranges.
- OvernightChisapani
- CountryNepal
- Highest PointChisapani
- Altitude2,171m / 7,123ft
- Travel ModeDrive: 15 km / 1 hr · Trek: 12 km / 4 hr
- Places VisitedKathmandu, Sundarijal, Shivapuri National Park, Chisapani
- MealsLunch, Dinner
Day 02Trek Chisapani – Chauki Bhanjyang – Nagarkot (about 6 hours)
Trek about 6 hours | Altitude: Nagarkot, about 2,175 m | Overnight: Nagarkot (hotel)

Watch the sunrise over the Himalaya, then follow the ridge through forest and farmland to Chauki Bhanjyang for lunch (about 3 hours). The afternoon trail continues through Tamang villages and terraced hillsides to Nagarkot, famous for its view of the Himalaya stretching from Dhaulagiri in the west, past Everest, to Kanchenjunga in the east on the clearest days.
- OvernightNagarkot
- CountryNepal
- Highest PointNagarkot
- Altitude2,175m / 7,136ft
- Travel ModeTrek: 18 km / 6 hr
- Places VisitedChisapani, Chauki Bhanjyang, Nagarkot
- MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 03Nagarkot sunrise – trek via Rohini Bhanjyang and Tanchok to Dhulikhel (about 5 hours)
Trek about 5 hours | Altitude: Dhulikhel, about 1,550 m | Overnight: Dhulikhel (hotel)

Rise early for sunrise at Nagarkot. After breakfast descend through pine forest and along quiet country roads, past Rohini Bhanjyang, Kankre and Tanchok – Tamang villages, small tea shops and farmland – with views of Gauri Shankar and Dorje Lakpa, to the hill town of Dhulikhel.
- OvernightDhulikhel
- CountryNepal
- Highest PointNagarkot
- Altitude2,175m / 7,136ft
- Travel ModeTrek: 16 km / 5 hr
- Places VisitedNagarkot, Dhulikhel
- MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04Drive to Namobuddha – trek to Balthali and Khopasi – Panauti – drive back to Kathmandu
Drive 40 minutes, trek about 4 hours, drive about 2 hours | Altitude: Namobuddha, about 1,750 m | End of trek

Drive to Namobuddha, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal, where the Buddha in a former life is said to have offered his body to a starving tigress; visit the stupa and the hilltop Thrangu Tashi Yangtse monastery. Walk down through terraced fields to the farming village of Balthali for lunch and on to Khopasi, then drive a short way to the Newar town of Panauti, with its 13th-century Indreshwar Mahadev temple, before driving back to Kathmandu.
- CountryNepal
- Highest PointNamobuddha
- Altitude1,750m / 5,741ft
- Travel ModeDrive: 15 km / 40 min · Trek: 10 km / 4 hr · Drive: 35 km / 2 hr
- Places VisitedDhulikhel, Namobuddha, Balthali, Khopasi, Panauti, Kathmandu
- MealsBreakfast, Lunch

Altitude Chart of Trekking Around Kathmandu

Total Hiking Time: 19h

Highest point: 7,136 ft / 2,175 m — Day 02 · Trek Chisapani – Chauki Bhanjyang – Nagarkot (about 6 hours)

Services Included

Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek
Private vehicle for Kathmandu to Sundarijal
Private vehicle for Panauti to Kathmandu
Hotel on twin sharing room as per package standard
Applicable all tax
Shivapuri National Park entry fee
Guide and Porters (one porter per two persons is provided to carry the clients personal bag/ limit 20kg in total)

Services Excluded

Personal trekking equipment
Your travel and medical insurance
Costs arising from unforeseen events beyond our control.
Personal expenses such as alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, mineral water, , laundry, video camera charge etc.
Tipping
All other services not included in the “cost includes” section above.

Trip Notes

Notes for this trek

Grade: easy to moderate – 4 to 6 hours of walking a day on village trails, stone steps and forest paths, with some steep ups and downs; no previous trekking experience is needed.
Accommodation: simple lodge or guesthouse at Chisapani; standard hotels at Nagarkot and Dhulikhel (upgrades possible in Nagarkot and Dhulikhel).
Season: the trek runs all year. October–November and March–May have the clearest views (rhododendrons bloom in March–April); December–February is clear but cold at night; June–September is green but trails can be muddy and leeches appear in the forest.
Luggage: one porter for every two trekkers carries up to 20 kg in total; leave the rest of your luggage at your Kathmandu hotel.
Permits: the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry fee is included; carry your passport or ID for the park check post.
Flexibility: it can be shortened to 2 or 3 days (for example finishing at Nagarkot) or combined with Kathmandu sightseeing.

Possible to operate round the year

Equipment List

Comfortable trekking shoes or boots, and sandals for the evening
Light fleece or down jacket (mornings and evenings are cool, cold in winter)
Rain jacket or poncho (essential from June to September)
Trekking trousers, T-shirts and a warm hat and gloves in winter
Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
Water bottle or hydration bladder, and water-purification tablets
Small day pack (25–30 litres) for your daily items
Torch or head-lamp, personal medicines, toiletries and a small towel
Trekking poles (optional, useful on stone steps)

Everything can be bought or rented in Kathmandu (Thamel).

FAQ

It is a 4-day, 3-night trek that starts and ends in Kathmandu. You drive to Sundarijal, trek via Chisapani, Nagarkot and Dhulikhel to Namobuddha, Balthali and Panauti, then drive back to Kathmandu.

It is easy to moderate, with 4 to 6 hours of walking a day between about 1,500 m and 2,300 m – well below any altitude problems. There are stone steps and some steep sections, so reasonable fitness and good walking shoes are needed, but no trekking experience. Children from about 8 years and active seniors manage it well.

October to November and March to May are best, with clear Himalayan views; spring also brings rhododendron blooms. December to February is dry and sunny but cold at night at Chisapani and Nagarkot. The trek runs in the monsoon (June to September) too, with green hills but cloudier views and muddy trails.

On clear days you see Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Jugal, Gauri Shankar and Dorje Lakpa, and from Nagarkot the panorama can stretch from Dhaulagiri to Everest and Kanchenjunga. Views are best early in the morning.

Chisapani has simple lodges with shared or basic attached bathrooms; Nagarkot and Dhulikhel have comfortable standard hotels. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included during the trek – mostly Nepali dal bhat, noodles, soups and simple Western dishes.

Only the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry fee, which is included. Please carry your passport (or citizenship card for Nepali and Indian travellers) for the check post at Sundarijal.

Comfortable trekking shoes, a light fleece or down jacket for mornings and evenings, a rain jacket, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle, personal medicines and a small day pack. Porters carry your main bag (up to 20 kg for two trekkers).

Yes. It runs privately for your group with your own guide and porters on any date. We can shorten it, add a night in Nagarkot or Dhulikhel, upgrade hotels or combine it with Kathmandu sightseeing.

Private transfers Kathmandu–Sundarijal and Panauti–Kathmandu, three nights in lodges/hotels on twin sharing, breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek, a licensed trekking guide, porters (one for two trekkers), the national park fee and all taxes.

Personal trekking equipment, travel and medical insurance, drinks, bottled water, laundry, tips, and costs from events beyond our control such as weather or road closures.

Cancellation Policy

Policy Regarding Cancellation / NO SHOW / EARLY DEPARTURE
In the event of cancellation of tour / travel/Trekking services – due to any avoidable / unavoidable reason, you must be informed in writing. Cancellation charges would be effective from the date we receive advice in writing and cancellation charges would be as follows:-

Before 60 days – No cancellation charge.
From 60 days to 45 days – 5% of the total tour / service cost
From 45 days to 15 days – 10% of the total tour / service cost
From 15 days to 07 days – 15% of the total tour / service cost
From 07 days to 02 days (48 hrs) – 30% of the total tour / service cost
From 48 hours to arrival or NO SHOW – NO REFUND

In case you cancel the trip after commencement, refund would be restricted to a limited amount, which too would depend on the amount that we would be able to recover from the hoteliers/contractors we patronize. For unused hotel accommodation, chartered transportation & missed meals etc. we do not bear any responsibility to 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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Based on 30 reviews

Pigeon Travel is easily one of the best travel companies I have dealt with! I don’t know how busy Mr Min Katri is, but i think he has many clients on the go, but he made me feel like I was his only customer. He was so conscientious. The guides he organised for my travels in Nepal: Pokhara, Kathmandu, and the Everest flight, Lumbini and then in India at Kushinara for a few days, was well organised with excellent guides, good drivers and cars and a good choice of hotels. They accommodated me with the places I wanted to visit and were very flexible and everything went smoothly, including navigating across the Sunoli border to India, which is chaos at another level. These guys are really excellent. Totally recommend Pigeon Travel. 👍👍

Amal Karunaratna

We spent 4 days in Nepal, visiting different places with the Pingeon Travel Agency, Mr. Min Khatri was very friendly, helpful and was attentive to us at all times, with 24-hour service. for anything we needed and was attentive to us via WhatsApp every day. We booked everything from Spain, they picked us up at the airport and at the end they took us, including a driver, guide in Spanish, visits and hotels, and we had no problem, they complied with everything agreed and we were able to visit everything. The driver (Mr. Pawan) is a very good driver, friendly and kind, and the guide (Mr. Giri) is friendly and helpful. Punctual, helpful and attentive. We were in 2 different hotels, and both were very good, highlighting the one in Kathmandu, Hotel Hyatt Place Kathmandu, a new hotel, excellent service and very friendly. The Pingeon Travel agency is highly recommended and they have everything from tours to complete packages. We were happy with the services.

Maite Sanchez

Fantastic

JagdishMan Rajbhandari

Pigeon Travel has been an exceptional ressource for me in both travel support to and from Nepal, India, and Bhutan. Min Katri is simply always there onnecway or another, checking fright and other arrangements, hotel schedules and in Bhutan excellent ( required) tour guides. As well, he and Pigeon Travel are exceptional in meeting last minute changes to my plans and really are “there” 24/7. I thinking now about next trips and highly recommend Min and Pigeon travel for your trips— as in planning my next trip to India and Nepal and am using Pigeon Travel the whole way. Highly recommend!

Jay Luboff

Wonderful tour with brilliant and knowledgeable guide. Highly recommended!

Frances Wingate

Min is very trustworthy and very easy to speak to. Tour guide and drivers are great and finally arrangement for Everest flight and Nagarkot Mountain View stay didn’t disappoint and we had wonderful time

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It was a well organised trip. The guides were very hospitable and cooperative.Overall it was a wonderful and memorable trip.

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It was a memorable trip to Nepal. Thanks to pigeon travels. The hospitality is great and they took good care of us. I would highly recommend this to my mates.

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Trekking Around Kathmandu

Overview

Why choose this trek?

Who is it for?

Trip Highlights

Itinerary in Details

Altitude Chart of Trekking Around Kathmandu

Services Included

Services Excluded

Trip Notes

Equipment List

FAQ

Cancellation Policy

Booking Policy

Child Policy

Hotel We Use

Vehicle We Use

Sedan Car

Sedan Car

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Jeep

Toyota Hiace

Hier

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Trekking Around Kathmandu

Overview

Why choose this trek?

Who is it for?

Trip Highlights

Itinerary in Details

Altitude Chart of Trekking Around Kathmandu

Services Included

Services Excluded

Trip Notes

Equipment List

FAQ

1. How long is the Trekking Around Kathmandu and where does it start and end?

2. How difficult is this trek?

3. When is the best time for this trek?

4. Which mountains can I see?

5. Where do we stay and what do we eat?

6. Do I need a permit?

7. What should I pack?

8. Is this a private trek? Can I change it?

9. What is included in the price?

10. What is not included?

Cancellation Policy

Booking Policy

Child Policy

Hotel We Use

Vehicle We Use

Sedan Car

Sedan Car

Jeep

Jeep

Toyota Hiace

Hier

Coaster

Coaster

Bus

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