Kathmandu Day Hike

1. Tarevir Hike

• Hiking duration: 3 – 4 hours
• Drive: 35 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy

Tarevir hike in Kathmandu takes you away from the dust and bustling urban lifestyles at least a day. It has become popular not only for hiking, but also for camping and mountain biking as well. As the hiking destination is so close to Kathmandu, you can easily connect the trail on the desired dates.

At first, the steps in the park welcome you, which is remarkably picturesque. Walk further to the road and continue walking for 25-30 minutes. The real adventure to Tarevir begins from there.

The magnificent route in the wilderness, the fluttering of the Buddhist prayer flags, the fantastic trail and the landscape, the combination of these diversity offers you a great experience.

How to Reach Tarevir hike?

Well, you have to drive from your place to the hiking gateway at Jagdol (Gokarneshor). For example, if you’re driving from Thamel, it’s about 30 minutes driving via Chabahil, Chuchhepati and drive straightly to Jagdol. Driving can be a bit tougher, but the real fun starts from Jagdol.

2. Champadevi Hike

• Hike Duration: 2 to 3 hours
• Drive: 30 Minutes
• Difficulty: Easy

Champadevi is located in the southeast corner of Kathmandu Valley. There are several routes to reach the summit, but one that takes you along the Dollu Valley through pine forests and the grassy ridge top is the most popular and most easily accessible route.

This route begins at the Hattiban Resort and the trail is easy to follow and well-trodden. The trip from the resort will take about 3 hours, back and forth. Parking is available at the bottom of the steep gravel road to the resort (for larger vehicles or if you want extra walking time) or at the resort itself.

As mentioned, there are several routes and some others starting from the north side of the Pharping Valley (starting from the village of Pharping) and taking you north to the Champadevi Summit. It is more difficult to identify these routes. Bring a map and do your homework before you get begin!

How to reach Champadevi hike?

Busses leave from the old Bus park every day (15 minutes’ walk from Thamel). Just go along to Dakshinkali and ask for a bus.

Getting off at the Haatiban Resort is more difficult, because the driver may not know the name of the resort. If you heading to Pharping or Dakshinkali, just listen to him shouting the name of the stop.

3. Chisapani Hike

• Hike Duration: 4 hours
• Drive: 1 hour
• Difficulty: Easy

Chisapani is a small village with fantastic views and a good walk around the people of Tamang, Brahmin and Chetri. The hike begins at Sundarijal about an hour from central Kathmandu, passes through Kathmandu’s main water source and continues through Shivapuri National Park until you reach the Chisapani village.

As you move ahead, you’ll come across a dense forest. The forest looks beautiful and dense with the sounds of birds chirping around. The route is well defined. As you reach Chisapani, you can see the Langtang Mountains range standing over.

Chisapani Hike and Night Stay

This hike is best if it’s turned into a night stay trip. The hike from Sundarijal to Chisapani takes around 4 – 5 hours, so it’s tiring to get back on the same day. So, if you’re planning to go to Chisapani, stay there the night, and go back the next day, it is ideal!

You can enjoy the beautiful sunrise from there on the next day. There are lots of hotels and lodges so there won’t be any issue to stay there. You can also camp there and enjoy in your own way.

How to reach Chisapani?

Take a bus from Jamal to Chabhil (Jamal is about 10 minutes by foot from Thamel) and then change to Sundarijal at Chabhil for a bus. Or you can use a taxi to reach Sundarijal. Start your hiking!

4. Nagarkot Hike

• Hike Duration: 3 to 4 hours
• Drive: 1 hour
• Difficulty: Easy

Nagarkot itself is located 32 km east of Kathmandu and can be visited for a day, but to admire the beauty of the area and the views of the mountains, it is a good idea to walk around the area and stay overnight if possible.

To start your walk, drive about an hour to Sakhu, the old town of Newari on the Southwest edge of Kathmandu Valley. It takes about four hours to walk through the pine forest.

You can visit around the area when you reach Nagarkot and watch the sunset over the Himalayas. Then bring a cab back to Kathmandu (pre-booked) or stay overnight and walk down or catch a local bus. And don’t miss the sunrise, which is even more impressive!

How to reach Nagarkot?

Buses leave from the old bus park every 30 minutes (15 minutes’ walk from Thamel). Take a bus from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur and a bus stop from Bhaktapur to Sakhu.