Chisapani – Nagarkot HikingChisapani – Nagarkot Hiking

Chisapani – Nagarkot Hiking

Trip Summary
  • Trip Duration3 Days
  • Difficulty Level Easy
Highlights
  • Have a trekking experience in Nepal without going far from the capital in a brief time.
  • Get away quickly from Kathmandu’s crowd and enjoy nature for three days.
  • Walk through the wood-dotted Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park.
  • Explore the enriched flora and fauna of the closest national park from Kathmandu.
  • Watch glorious sunrise and sunset views from Chisapani and Nagarkot, the best getaways in Kathmandu.
  • Experience a breathtaking panorama of the Himalayas that includes Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, Jugal Himal, and many more.
  • Trek through villages, terraced fields, and houses of various local ethnic groups.
  • Pay an insightful visit to Changunarayan Temple, a UNESCO-listed heritage site and one of the oldest shrines in Nepal.

Want Nepal’s trekking experience in just three days? If that resonates, “yes,” Chisapani Nagarkot Hike is for you. In three days of the hike, you will hike, see, learn, and experience Nepal.

This hike connects two prominent hilltops by Kathmandu, Nagarkot(2,175m) and Chisapani(2,085m). In two days, you will get to walk from Chisapani to Nagarkot through the scenic hills.

Beginning from Sundarijal, the entrance to Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, we will hike up to Chisapani on the first day. En route, we will have the lush greenery, rich flora, and fauna of the park around us. It will be a day in the woods, breathing the freshest air.

When we reach Chisapani, we’ll have a mesmerizing view of the tall snowy peaks and the valley. A sunset and sunrise in Chisapani hill station will make us awe-struck.

On the second day, we get to walk through hills and forests toward Nagarkot. We will have breathtaking mountains and terrains along the day and the trail. Due to the beauty, the walk of 6-7 hours will not feel like a long walk.

This way, we will reach Nagarkot, the go-to hill station near Kathmandu. The top will give us an unworldly panorama of various mountain ranges. Not to forget and miss, the sunrise view from Nagarkot is just enticing.

When we finish all the walks and mountain watching, we will come down to Changunarayan Temple, a historical and UNESCO-cited site. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple area offers spiritual and time-traveling experiences.

And in this way, we come to the end of the three-day Chisapani Nagarkot Hike. This three-day hike is a complete package from forests to cliffs, from people to terraced fields, from mountains to valleys, and from temples to history.

Itinerary
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After breakfast, we’ll leave our hotel in Kathmandu for Sundarijal. The time will be around 7:00 AM when we head out. It will be a drive of 1 hour to Sundarijal, the beginning point of the hike.

Upon reaching Sundarijal, we will enter the woods of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. As we begin to do steep walks in the park, we will come across a wide range of vegetation. We will also pass the source of the Bagmati River, a holy river that winds through the valley. It is also a good place for bird lovers.

The walk will get slowly a bit steep. But we will take it slow by enjoying the greenery. In the process, we will cross several villages after the national park. Mulkharka village is one of them. By walking around 6 hours through sheer nature, we will reach Chisapani. The place will greet us with a fantastic panorama. Overnight in Chisapani.

    Chisapani(2,175m) is one of the best view stations near Kathmandu. So we cannot miss a sunrise view from the place. We will wake up early and find a good spot for the fantastic sight. Gaurishankar, Dorje Lakpa, Gaurishankar, and other peaks are visible from the place.

    After the beautiful sunrise and mountain view, we will come to our hotel for breakfast. Then, we will move toward Nagarkot, our next destination. The Chisapani Nagarkot Hike is around 6-7 hours long. In this stretch, we will come across many forests, terraced fields, local hamlets, and more. We will also catch amazing views of the dotted valley and the Himalayas. We will take a lunch break at Chauki Bhanjyang, the midpoint of today’s walk.  

    Upon arriving in Nagarkot, another famous hill station, we will have a good evening panoramic view. We will reach the view tower of the place to watch a mesmerizing sunset. Overnight in Nagarkot.

      We should not miss Nagarkot’s sunrise view either. Thus, we will leave our bed early today as well. Nagarkot is a vantage point to watch eight different Himalayan Ranges. If looked carefully, we can even see Mt Everest from here. A sunrise view amid a majestic mountain panorama will make our morning memorable.

      Following the sunrise, we’ll take breakfast and leave for Changunaryan. We will use a car drive this time as our walking part finishes here. Changunarayan is just in the foothills of Nagarkot. So we will quickly drop by the UNESCO heritage site, Changunaryan Temple.

      The temple dedicated to Lord Bishnu is one of the oldest temples in Nepal. We will spend some exploration time around the area. We will return to Kathmandu, our hotel, when we unfold all the places. It will be a quick drive. Overnight in Kathmandu.

        Essential Information

        Best Time

        If you want to do Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking, you can do it all year round. Yes, you read it accurately. We can do this hike any time we want. Unlike Nepal’s high-altitude treks, the weather impacts this hike less. Chisapani(2085m) and Nagarkot(2,175m) are the two hills by Kathmandu. We can climb these hills all year round.

        However, if you do not like rainy or cold weather, Autumn and Spring are the two best times. Autumn(September-November) is the peak time to visit Nepal. The weather is at its best in this season. With clear skies, warm temperatures, and a stable climate, autumn makes everything more beautiful. That is the same case for Spring(March-May). The season of blossoms has perfect weather conditions. In both windows, we can get continuous clear mountain views.

        Winter(December-February) is also a good time for Chisapani and Nagarkot Hiking. The snowy season inspires snowfall in the peaks. We can see amazing pictures while hiking. Yes, the weather is a bit colder than usual. Likewise, we can do the hike in Monsoon too. This time is on if you have no problem with rainy days and clouds blocking views regularly. When clouds open up, we see a crystal-clear picture for you.

        In sum, Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking is doable any month of the year. The easy and short hiking plan of three days will happen as planned. In case you are looking for perfection, Autumn and Spring are two seasons to consider.  

        What to expect on Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking?

        You should expect peaceful trails, vegetation, flora & fauna, mountains, water springs, traditional homes, people, culture, architecture, history, and more. Simply put, you will experience Nepal, a place for lifetime experiences.

        This hike will happen via Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and its lush greenery. That will provide you with nature, flora & fauna, and more. Likewise, we will visit Chispani and Nagarkot, Nepal's two excellent places for mountain watching. The places will offer us a fantastic panorama of the Himalayas.

        While hiking ahead, we will pass through remote villages and the busy streets of Kathmandu. Collectively, it will inform you about Nepal, its culture, heritage, lifestyle, art, and people.

        Overall, this hike offers a trekking experience in Nepal in a short time. What you can gain in doing a weeks-long trek, you can undergo it in three days. This is what Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking is best at. You will hike like you are trekking in just three days.        

        Things to Pack

        Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking is a three day itinerary. In these three days, you will hike on the hills and spend nights out. To complete this hike, you need specific essential things. You can even walk without certain gear, but having them makes it more accessible.

        So if you want your hike easier, here are the things that you must pack for Chisapani Nagarkot Hike:

        • A trekking bag(50L)
        • Warm Hiking T-shirts
        • Windproof or waterproof down jacket
        • Fleece jacket
        • Quick drying t-shirts
        • Trekking pants or shorts
        • Inner layers(optional)
        • Comfortable hiking shoes
        • Loafers or sandals
        • Trekking pole
        • Hiking socks
        • Face towel
        • Toiletries
        • Hand gloves
        • Sun hat or cap
        • UV protected sunglasses
        • Sanitizers
        • Water bottle
        • Wet wipes
        • Sunscreen

        The above list contains the essentials. You can add or subtract at your convenience.

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