Are you looking for a taste of Himalayan trekking with limited time? If so, you don’t need to worry! The place around Kathmandu can easily fulfill your hiking hunger and you can see unspoiled Nepali village life with wonderful views of Himalayas.
(Compiled from different travel sites.)
1. Sundarijal – Chisapani – Nagarkot (3 Days)
The trek starts at Sundarijal and climbs steadily to the reservoir which supplies most of Kathmandu. This is also a popular location for picnic. The path continues through Tamang village and dense forest. The journey continues to Nagarkot, a favourite destination for many visitors to Nepal. On a clear day, excellent views of Himalayan snow peaks can be seen from the ridge top.
Suggested Itinerary: Day 01: Kathmandu to Sundarijal to Chisapani (Drive and Trek). Day 02: Chisapani to Nagarkot (Trek). Day 03: Nagarkot to Changunarayan to Kathmandu (Trek and drive)
2. Kakani-Nagarkot -Dhulikhel (4 Days)
This route is a must for people looking for an easy hike around Kathmandu Valley. The high point of the ridge, at 2732m, provides a stunning view of the city and its outskirts. Much of the trek is made through unspoiled old growth forests of oak, rhododendron and beech. Spot deers, monkeys and jackals along the trail. The trek goes through many beautiful villages.
Suggested Itinerary: Day 01: Kathmandu to Kakani to Aale Danda: (Drive and trek). Day 02: Aale Danda to Shivapuri (Trek) Day 02: Shivapuri to Dhap (Trek) Day 03: Dhap to Nagarkot (Trek) Day 04: Nagarkot to Dhulikhel / Namo Buddha and Kathmandu: (Trek and drive)
3. Champadevi (One day):
Champadevi is located at an elevation of 2285m southwest of Kathmandu. It is a pilgrimage site having a Buddhist Stupa and a Hindu shrine. Early in the morning drive from Kathmandu about an hour to Pharping which is 16 kilometers south of Kathmandu and lies on the way to Dakshinkali Temple. As you commence to hike the trail heads north along the pine forested ridge about half an hour, then the trail makes round bound towards south and takes another 3-hour’s walk to reach Champadevi. The views of central and western Himalayan ranges are magnificent. Walking through the lush pine forest on well develop trail is really wonderful experience. Superb view of Langtang, Gauri Shankar, Jugal, Dorge Lakpa Himalayas are the major attraction of the hiking. Apart from it, we can observe the bustling Kathmandu city and spectacular village settlements from the top. After enjoying the splendid views, you can come down following the same path to Pharping or take another path down to Kirtipur. You can choose either way to reach there too.
4. Pulchowki (One day):
Phulchowki (2782m) is the highest hill situated in the south of Kathmandu valley. This is one of the most beautiful hiking destination, Drive 14 kms south of Kathmandu for about 30 minutes to a place called Godavari (Royal Botanical Garden). From Godavari, hike gradually uphill all the way through sub – Tropical thick forest for couple of hours. The magnificent view from eastern part of Annapurna range to Gaurishanker in the east can be seen from here on a clear day apart from the Breathtaking view of Kathmandu valley. After lunch and strolling around from sometime, hike down following the same trail to Godavari and drive back to Kathmandu.
5. Namobuddha (One day):
Namo Buddha is beautiful tiny hill top about 45 Km. east of Kathmandu after Dhulikhel. Namo Buddha means “Greetings to the Lord Buddha”. There is an interesting story associated with child prince behind this place. It is also a great symbol of human sacrifice at its highest level.
A little prince saw a weak & hungry tigress laying on the ground with small cubs on his hunting tour in to the area. Scrutinize the pitiable situation of tigress; the prince has nothing to offer immediately. Eventually he cut and feed his own flesh & blood to this striving tiger family. That young prince was off course little Buddha. Commemorating that great story, there is a famous shrine and stone slab featuring the history on the top of hill with great panorama of Himalaya and downhill villages.
After an hour and half drive passing Dhulikhel; we warm up for Namo Buddha Hiking. This 1 day hiking tour commence from the place called Kavrethok with nice villages and peoples on its way. Looking the rural activities and lifestyle, we reach on top of ridge which offers wonderful views of downhill terrain and skyline in about an hour. Just after crossing the ridge we can see Namo Buddha shrine covered with sacred flags on top of a small hill. About half an hour of pleasant walking, we reach Namo Buddha.
The place is very nice not just the story carrying behind it but also the superb views on 360’ around Kavre valley. Spending few moment with photography or bit of rest; we walk downhill towards Panauti passing wonderful paddy fields, observing the villagers collecting their harvest, grazing cattles and student returning home after their study. Walking through the narrow paddy edge way is really different sense of journey.
6. Shivapuri(One Day)
Shivapuri situated at an elevation of 2563m north of Kathmandu is the second highest hill around Kathmandu valley. Bagdwar, source of holy river Bagmati, is located near Shivapuri.
Early in the morning, drive from Kathmandu to Muhan Pokhari for about 30 minutes. After checking the formalities at the Shivapuri entrance gate, you enter Shivapuri watershed and wildlife area. You commence your hike from the southern boundary of the area where the army check-post is located. The trail goes along the rugged motor-able road through pine and cherry forest up to Nangi Gompa within one and half hours, where a nunnery monastery is located. Beyond the monastery, the trail goes steep uphill through the oak, rhododendron and bamboo forest for another three hours.
From here one can enjoy the beauty of snowy Himalayas such as Ganesh Himal, Langtang-Lirung, Dorji Lhakpa and you take a shortcut downhill to Budhanilkantha in about two and half hours and drive back to Kathmandu.
7. Kakani to Bhanjyang hike (One day)
This is an interesting hike through oak, rhododendron and pine forest. Early in the morning, you drive from Kathmandu to Kakani (2073m), 32km north of Kathmandu. From here the trail leads to the east along graveled motor-able road. The entire trail goes almost on a level path. You hike about three hours to Bhanjyang including about 20 minutes steep climb before you reach there.
After detouring sometimes here, you retrace the same way back to Kakani in about two and half hours and drive back to Kathmandu.
8. Newari Village (Kirtipur – BungMati – Khokana)
Kirtipur is a magnificent exception to the usual Newari settlements. Perched on twin hillocks and clinging to the saddle about 5 kms from Kathmandu. Kirtipur has two satellite hamlets to the south, Panga and Nagaon. The history of the village dates back to the 12th century when it was an outpost of the Patan but later on became a separate kingdom. The kingdom was so strong then it was defeated the Most powerful king of the Nepalese history three times when he tried to unify it with the Nepal. Remains of the fortified walls and part of the original 12 gates can still be seen.
Even though most of the people in the village are Newars, the differences in the culture and the daily ways of life can be seen during the tour as most of the people are farmers and have unique culture and tradition. Beside the village visit there are also some interesting temples such as Bag Bhairav, Chlanchu Vihar etc. A visit to Kirtipur can be combined with the visit to Chovar and Panga as well. Khokana and Bungamati are the ancient Newari village (of the 16th century) alike Kirtipur but a visit to Khokana and Bungamati is a bit different to the visit to Kirtipur. The people in Khokana are involved in the traditional oil making which is the main attraction of the village and the people in Bungamati are involved more in traditional wood carving which one can see in the historic places in and around Kathmandu valley. This is the perfect “day hiking” trip in Kathmandu.
9. Sankhu (One Day)
Sankhu is a village development committee in Kathmandu District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. Sankhu is the site of the month long worship to the Goddess Swasthani. The Swasthani Purnima is a tribute to the Goddess through fasting, meditation and ritual bathing, mainly by women. It begins on the full moon of the Nepali month of Magh and ends on the full moon of the Nepali month of Phagun.
You can easily find the way to Sankhu that passes through Bouddha and Gokarna to the East. Public transport leaving the old bus park, New Baneswor, Koteswor, Chabahil, Bouddha can also be used to reach Sankhu. It will take 40 minutes to reach Sankhu from Kathmandu though may take longer if traffic is heavy or disrupted.
10. Lankuri-Bhanjyang (One or Two Day)
Lankuri-Bhanjyang is a paradise located 13 Kilometer up from the Gwarkho (Lalitpur). It is one of the most scenic spot in Lalitpur district and is renowned for its spectacular sunrise view and the himalaya ranges when the weather is clear. The visitors often travel to spend the night so that they can be there for the breath taking sunrise.The views of cities i.e Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur can be seen by sitting at Lankuri-Bhanjyang. The environment i.e. fresh air, cool water, forest, views and the cooperative local people which makes the visitor to stay whole life. It is just 13 km from busy Kathmandu but there you feel like you are miles and miles away from dense human civilization.
Enjoy the HIKE! Cheers!
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