Around Kathmandu Valley – Hiking
The hills surrounding Kathmandu valley offers an excellent opportunity for easy hiking and to observe village life, plus superb mountain views without having to go too far or climb too high. Beautiful verdant hills and traditional Newari villages encircle the valley of Kathmandu. Despite the city’s urban life being just a drive away, the villages remain untouched by modernity and have retained their old world charm. We hike around hills and villages covered by terraced farms, verdant forests and shrines dedicated to Hindu & Buddhist deities. This hike is for every group and for all seasons.!
Outline Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu (1400m)
- Day 2 Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu & Patan
- Day 3 Drive to Sundarijal (1460m); Hike to Chisapani (2340m)
- Day 4 Hike Chisapani to Nagarkot (2175m)
- Day 5 Trek Nagarkot – Dhulikhel
- Day 6 Hike Dhulikhel to Balthali via Namobuddha
- Day 7 Hike Balthali to Panauti via Khopasi & drive to Kathmandu
- Day 8 Depart Kathmandu
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrive Kathmandu (1400m)
It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. A representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel. At the hotel you will be briefed about your daily activities. .
- Day 2
Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu & Patan
Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, its two major neighboring cities bear immense historical, cultural and religious significances. There will be a guided tour to the famous and biggest Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal Boudhanath, the Monkey Temple or Swoyambhunath and Patan Durbar Square..
- Day 3
Drive to Sundarijal (1460m) & trek to Chisopani (2340m)
After breakfast at the hotel, we take drive to 15 kms north- east from Kathmandu to Sundarijal. En route we stop by Budhanilkantha or the temple of the ‘Reclining Vishnu’ that lies at the bottom of the Shivpuri Hill. The temple has a fifth century stone sculpture of Lord Vishnu, reclining amidst coiled serpents in the middle of a pond. Nepalese royalty were barred from entering the temple because of an oracle of 17th century Malla king , Pratap Malla. According to the oracle any member of the royal clan would die if he/she gazed on the face of the reclining Vishnu. We continue driving uphill through a dense forest of oak, pine and rhododendron till we reach the Sundarijal. We get down at Sundarijal and trek to the village of Chisopani or cold water. During the trek you get panoramic views of the surrounding hills and undulating Himalayan ranges like the Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, Dorje Lhakpa and Annapurna. We stay overnight at a lodge. .
- Day 4
Trek Chisopani to Nagarkot
After a hearty breakfast, we continue with our trekking adventure. From Chisapani we trek downhill to Nagarkot. Nagarkot, at 2100m is a hill resort located thirty kilometers away from Kathmandu. From here we get breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Manaslu and Gauri Shankar. We stay overnight at a resort..
- Day 5
Trek Nagarkot – Dhulikhel
After witnessing a magical sun rise from Nagarkot , we have our breakfast and get ready for the day’s trek. Today we hike to to Dhulikhel. Dhulikhel is a small Newari village which has become quite popular as a resort town. The mountain views from the village are breath taking. The streets lined with bare-brick houses,sloping tiled roofs, sacred statues, pagoda temples and carved wooden windows are the feature of the Dhulikel. Overnight at lodge. .
- Day 6
Hike Dhulikhel to Balthali via Namobuddha
After hiking for about 3 hours passing through forests, farms and terraced fields we arrive at the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namo Buddha, where Lord Buddha in his previous birth is believed to have saved a tigress and her cub from starvation by offering his own flesh. There are wonderful views from the hill top shrine. From here another 3 hours of easy hike will take you to Balthali village (2400m). Balthali is a sleepy Newari village which rests on a plateau at the junction of Roshi and Ladku Khola River. If the weather is clear you can enjoy panoramic mountain views of the Himalayan range : Manaslu, Mt. Everest, Ganesh Himal, & Jugal Himal & the Mahabharat range. Overnight at a local resort..
- Day 7
Hike Balthali to Panauti via Khopasi & drive to Kathmandu
From Balthali we continue trekking though Khopasi village to the Newari town of Panauti. Panauti is home to one of the oldest temples in Nepal, the Indreshwar Mahahdev temple which dates back to the 13th century. After exploring the bazaar and the ancient streets, we have our lunch and drive back to Kathmandu..
- Day 8
Depart Kathmandu
Our support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. (Or stay longer for other tours & treks, game drive at National parks, rafting etc. - ask us).
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