Overview
This 3-day Chisapani Nagarkot hike walks the northern and eastern rim of the Kathmandu Valley and, unlike the shorter version, lets you stay the night at the end of it. Day one climbs from Sundarijal through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park to the ridge village of Chisapani at 2,215 m. Day two is the long one, east along the ridge through farming villages to Nagarkot at 2,175 m. Instead of driving straight back to the city, you sleep in Nagarkot and get up for sunrise over the Himalaya, then drive back to Kathmandu on the third morning. It suits reasonably fit walkers who want a real taste of trekking close to the capital, without rushing the best part.
The itinerary
- Pickup from your hotel and drive to Sundarijal on the north-east edge of the valley
- Enter Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and climb through forest past the village of Mulkharka
- Cross the forested pass at Borlang Bhanjyang, then drop to Chisapani at 2,215 m, 4 to 6 hours in all
- Sunset over the Langtang and Ganesh Himal ranges on a clear evening, overnight in Chisapani
- Early look at the mountains from the Chisapani ridge before breakfast
- Walk east for about seven hours along the rim through villages and terraced fields
- Lunch on the trail around Chauki Bhanjyang or Jhule
- Reach Nagarkot at 2,175 m in the late afternoon and stay the night, which the 2-day version skips
- Up before dawn for sunrise over the Himalaya from Nagarkot
- On a clear morning the view runs from the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges east to the Everest range
- Unhurried breakfast after two days of walking
- Drive back down to your hotel in Kathmandu, 32 km away
Things to carry
- Broken-in walking shoes or light boots
- Small daypack with rain cover
- Warm fleece or down jacket for the early mornings
- Head torch for the sunrise walks
- Refillable water bottle
Good to know
Complete guide
The 3-day Chisapani Nagarkot hike is the classic walk along the rim of the Kathmandu Valley, with one change that makes a real difference: you sleep in Nagarkot at the end instead of driving away from it. That gives you two proper trail days and a sunrise over the Himalaya, all within easy reach of the city.
What the 3-day Chisapani Nagarkot hike covers
You start at Sundarijal, on the north-east edge of the valley, and walk up through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. The trail climbs steadily through forest, passes the village of Mulkharka and crosses a wooded pass at Borlang Bhanjyang before dropping to Chisapani, a ridge village at 2,215 m. Most people take four to six hours. On day two you walk east for about seven hours along the rim, through farming villages and patches of forest, with lunch near Chauki Bhanjyang or Jhule, and arrive in Nagarkot at 2,175 m in the late afternoon. On day three you watch sunrise, have a slow breakfast and drive the 32 km back to Kathmandu.
How this differs from the 2-day hike
Our 2-day Chisapani to Nagarkot hike walks the same route but drives you back to Kathmandu on the evening of day two. That works if you are short of time, but it means you arrive at Nagarkot tired, see it in afternoon haze and leave before the thing it is known for. The extra night fixes that. You finish the long walking day with a bed, and you are already in place for sunrise. If even two days of walking is more than you want, the Sundarijal to Chisapani overnight hike gives you the forest and the Chisapani night on its own.
The views, and what to expect of them
From Chisapani, on a clear evening or morning, you look north to the Langtang and Ganesh Himal ranges and Dorje Lakpa. From Nagarkot the panorama is wider. On a good morning it runs from the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges in the west, past Ganesh Himal, Langtang and Jugal, to the Everest range far to the east. Everest is a small point at that distance, and your guide will show you where to look.
We will be straight about the weather. Mountain views depend on clear air, and even in the good months a hazy morning happens. October and November are the most reliable. In spring the forest is at its best but the afternoons often cloud over. In the monsoon the mountains are usually hidden.
How hard it is and who it suits
This is a moderate hike. There is no altitude concern, since the highest ground is only a little above Chisapani, but the first day climbs steadily and the second is a full day on your feet. It suits people who walk regularly and want a taste of multi-day trekking close to Kathmandu. It is a good warm-up before a longer trek, and a good choice for anyone who has a few spare days in the city. Families with older children who like walking do well; younger children usually find day two too long.
If the long day turns out to be too much, your guide can arrange a vehicle for part of it. The trail is well used, and you walk with a licensed guide throughout.
Permits, season and practical notes
The first day runs through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, which charges an entry ticket at the gate; we arrange it. No other permit is needed. The walking season runs from September to May. June to August is the monsoon: heavy rain, slippery stone steps and few views. Mornings at Chisapani and Nagarkot are cold for much of the year, so pack a warm layer even if Kathmandu feels mild.
Tell us your dates and how much walking you are used to, and we will tell you honestly whether this, the 2-day version or the one-night Chisapani hike fits you better.
