Kathmandu day hikes are perfect for those who looking for a taste of hiking or trekking in Nepal

The hiking around Kathmandu offers some excellent short treks in nepal, fine walks which can be a great introduction to Nepal hiking. Once outside the urban sprawl of the city, it is possible to experience traditional rural activities with in sight of the metropolis.The organic rhythm of foot travel is a wonderful way to explore and make meaningful contact with the country and it's friendly people.The objective of hiking is not just the particular destination, but the journey itself. You travel at a modest pace, observing nature, rural communities, and spectacular mountain panoramas.
Kathmandu day hike provides a rich cultural experience along with the excellent mountain Panoramic views.
Kathmandu valley is always sarrounded by high Himalaya mountains such as Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Gauri Shanker, Everest mountain ange and Droje Lakpa all above 7000 to 8000 mtrs high.
Kathmandu day hikes offers 180 -degree panoramic mountain views stretching from far west Annapurna range to Mt. Everest in the east of Nepal. The Kathmandu valley hike offers a rich insight in to the lives, history, culture and religion together with the picturesque daily toil in the fields of its inhabitant. The valley rim lies between 1800m and 2800m and in spring offers early flowering rhododendrons. In autumn and winter there are wonderful mountains vistas, which can, from certain viewpoints ( Chisapani, Shiva Puri, Nagarjun, Phulchoki, Champa Devi, Jhule, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Balthali), stretch from Everest in the east to Annapurna in the west.

Options for Kathmandu day Hiking in Nepal :
You can do 1 day hike, 2 days or 3 days around Kathmandu valley. You can visit Chisapani, Jhule, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Balthali, Panuti or Namobuddha, Shivapuri, Phulchoki, Najarjun,Changu Narayan, Champadevi. Also can go to Lakuri Bhanjhyang, Kakani. All Valley rim hikes provide wonderful village life view, mountain Panorama and real Nepal. We can also do some cycling around Kathmandu valley ( down hill mountain biking). The Kathmandu valley rim hike also can do in winter time or summer time with children or senior citizens.

The Kathmandu valley hike can be combined with the 2 night 3 days Chitwan Jungle Safari where you will track the rare Royal Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceroses, slot bear, crocodile and many other species of birds and animals, which will enchant as you explore this pristine Jungle area.

Here are 6 itinerares for Kathmandu Valley day hiking trips for you to choose!
Please let us know which day hike around Kathmandu suits you and we can arrange accordingly.

The Kathmandu valley hike can go any day, just call us 1 day in advance, we can pick up you from your hotel. Our job is to ensure your comfort and safety as we take you where you want to go, at your own pace.
We show you what you have come to see, and help you discover things you had no idea exists there!

Kathmandu Day hiking - Option 1: Nagarkot to Dhulikhel Hiking :
Nagarkot to Dhulikhel hiking (Around 16 km) Approx 5 to 6 hrs - Nagarkot provide excellent mountain Panorama in a clear day.
The hike from nagarkot to Dhulikhel is mostly down hill.
In Nagarkot to Dhulikhel walk, there are very few options for food and water, so we recommend that you carry enough of both with you for the trek. Can drive from Kathmadnu to Nagarkot in the morniong and head towards Club Himalaya. Below this hotel you will find a small walking trail which cuts across the hillside and takes you towards Rhonnie Bhangyang. The views of the Panckhal valley to your left are very good, and given clear weather you should again get memorable views of the mid Himalaya,
included Everest. Follow the rugged little used jeep track until you come to a flat spot of land and couple of farm houses. This is Rhonnie Bhangyang.
Follow the road straight, do not take the left or right turnings. Climb up a short sharp hill and arrive at an intersection with another jeep track . Take the left turn and follow this road along the ridge. After about a kilometer, a small trail on the right takes you down into the next valley. follow the main jeep track back down into the valley below Nagarkot, you want to keep Nagarkot over your left shoulder. Follow the track steely downhill through the hillside which dotted with villages. You are aiming for a vague ridge between two valleys. You will pass through the villages of Kankre and Tanchok.
If you are unsure of the way just ask some locals for directions. From Tanchok, you will meet another main jeep track that you need to follow to your right and uphill for aound a kilometer to Tusal. Here you need to head again right to the larsish town of Opi where you cross the main jeep track and head directly to Dhulikhel. The trail meets the Arniko Highway 1 km from the main town of Dhulikhel, at Himalayan Horizons Hotel. To get into town you need to turn right and head uphill. Then having lunch can come back to Kathmandu. You can also end Nagarkot day hike at Nala or Banepa to make it 1 hour shorter. The trail follow to Ghimire Geoun and it is a wonderful hike to see landscape, mountain views and village life.
Our representative will meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel and help you check into your hotel. We will arrange a meeting with you at hotel to brief you about your daily activities etc.
Kathmandu day hiking Option no. 2 :
A Day hiking to NAMOBOUDHA – The place where Buddha cut his own flesh to feed Tigress.

Namoboudha situated at the hill top of Panauti is very important Buddhist pilgrimage located in Kavre District about 38 km. east of Kathmandu. The stupa and shrines build up in this lovely little hill has significantly enough mark a very ancient holy site where a legendary prince named Mahasttva offered himself to starving Tigress with its several underfed cubs. This legendary episode is depicted in a very nice stone slab and placed right next to a holy stupa. After breakfast at the Hotel, we drive 35 km east of Kathmandu for about one and half hours to a place called Dhapasi via an ancient Newar town Panuti with packed lunch box. From Dhapasi we follow the uphill trail forward north - east direction and the trail narrows. We cross a suspension bridge and pass through many small villages to a huge rice field which gives you chance to see How Nepali People plant and harvest the crop. From here we hike steep uphill for about an hour to reach Namoboudha. After lunch continue walk in easy trails to Dhulikhel. Drive back to Kathmandu or overnight at resort in Dhulikhel. Day hiking to NAMOBOUDHA Contact Us

Kathmandu day hike tour Option no. 03 :
A Day hiking to PHULCHOWKI (2782 m.) , Kathmandu – a perfect place to see Vegetation ( Botanical Garden) and also famous for bird watching :
Phulchowki (2782m) is the highest hill situated in the south of Kathmandu valley. This is one of the most beautiful hiking in terms of vegetation in Kathmandu valley. After breakfast at the Hotel, drive 14 kms south of Kathmandu for about 30 minutes to a place called Godavari ( Royal Botanical Garden ) with packed lunch box. From Godavari we start our hiking gradually uphill all the way through sub - Tropical thick forest for about four 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, we hike down following the same trail to Godavari for about 2 hours and drive back to Kathmandu.

Kathmandu day hiking Option no. 04 :
A Day hiking to CHAMPADEVI (2285 m.) Kathmandu – good view of the city and mountains - valley vista

Champadevi, situated at an altitude of 2285 m south - west of Kathmandu, is a pilgrimage site having a Buddhist stupa and a Hindu shrine commands many pilgrims visit this place on full moon day. After breakfast at Hotel, we drive 16 kms south of Kathmandu for about an hour to a place called Pharping (on the way to Dakshinkali Temple) with packed lunch box. From Pharping we start our hiking gradually up for about half an hour along trail toward the north ridge and through pine forested area. From here we continue hiking gradually up following the trail for about another 3 hours to CHAMPADEVI. The view of central and western Himalayan Range are magnificent. After lunch and strolling around from sometime, continue hike down to Hattiban for about 2 hours and Drive back to Kathmandu.

Kathmandu day hiking trip Option no. 05 :
A Day hiking to NAGARJUNA - close hill of Kathmandu from where legendry Manjushree saw Kathmandu valley 1st time

Located north-west of Kathmandu it takes 15 minutes by car than 2 and half hours up to the Nagarjuna hill, which is also called historical Jamacho Peak (6,300 feet) The mountain is called Nagarjuna hill because Nagarjuna's cave-residence is found there, where he performed meditation. Besides Nagarjuna cave there are some other cave of Buddha, Mahasiddhas.

One of the famous story of the Buffalo Buddha: A long time ago when Acharya Nagarjuna was living in his cave, an idiot buffalo herdsman from Kathmandu became possessed by faith in the Master, and came to him frequently offering curd and milk, etc. Once when he asked Nagarjuna to come to town, the Master refused, saying, 'If you are able to meditate upon perfect reality, sit down here'. So he did as he was told, but obsessed by his work of guarding buffaloes he could think of nothing but buffaloes. 'Visualize yourself as a buffalo.' Instructed the Acharya. So he meditated in what today is called the Cave of the Buffalo Buddha, and after a while he actually became a buffalo. His horns struck the rock above him and the holes, which today are known as his horn-prints appeared. Then Nagarjuna told him to contemplate his body in its natural state of total relaxation. Meditating according, his body became as before and his senses became sharp and alert, so he was given initiation and precepts. After he had accomplished the aim of his mediation, it is said that he shot through the roof of the cave and went straight to the Dakini's Paradise

Kathmandu valley day hiking trip Option no. 6 :
A Day hiking to SHIVAPURI - (2563 m.) – the world’s closet National park from the Capital – worth a visit

Shivapuri situated at an altitude of 2563m north of Kathmandu is second highest hill around Kathmandu valley. Baghdwar, Shivapuri locates near source of holy river Bagmati. After breakfast at the hotel, we drive for about 20 minutes to Budhanikantha Temple, 8 kms north of Kathmandu. From Budhanilkantha we walk through Shivapuri conservation area. This is the Government protected forest where over 500 species are found. We start our hike from the southern boundary of the area where the army check post is located. Nagi Gumpa situated at an altitude of 2330 m north of Kathmandu and above Budhanilkantha Temple is only Monastery for the Nuns practice Buddhism and foreigners often come there for meditation. It is a steep uphill hike through narrow and dusty trail for about half an hour and two hours gradual uphill trial to Shivapuri. After lunch and strolling around from sometime , we take a short cut down hill trail to Kopan for about two hours and drive back to Kathmandu.

Kathmandu vallely day hike, option no. 7 :
Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Hike - a popular day hiking around Kathmandu valley

Nagarkot - 7200 ft from sea level is the most popular hill station in around Kathmandu valley of Nepal for viewing the himalyas.
Nagarkot is located 32 km East of Kathamndu, just 1 hour of scenic drive away. The major Himalayan peaks seen from Nagarkot are Ganesh Himal (7405m), Shisha Pangma (8013m), Gang Chenpo (6397m), Dome Blanc (6830m), Dorje Lakpa (6990m), Lonpo Gang (7083m) and Purbi Chyachu (6658m), Langtang, Gauri Shankar and Everest.
The view of Sunrise over the Himalayas from Nagarkot is simply Magnificient.

The hike from Nagarkot to Bhaktapur ( Ancient town) via Changu Narayan is pleasant. Changunarayan is the oldest Temple of Kathamndu valley dated back to 7th century and listed ine the UNESCO world Heritage sites.
The walk is mostly downhill and offers grand views of the mountains, hills, villages, temples and Kathmandu valley. The trail is wide and easy to walk on as long as one is geared with hiking shoes. In totality, the trip introduces Nepal's natural and cultural heritages. It is an ideal trip for those with limited time but wish to get a taste of trekking in Nepal.

The hike from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan lasts for approximately 4 to 5 hrs depending on one’s pace and covers a distance of about 10 - 12 km. From Changu Narayan one can either catch a bus to or walk through the villages to Bhaktapur.
Mountain View from Nagarkot

You Vaikuntha Vishnu's Statue in Changu Narayan and then drive back to Kathamdnu via Bhaktapur or can spent night at Bhaktapur also.

OR
CAN EXTEND THE TRIP TO CHITWAN, RAFTING, BHUTAN, INDIA, TIBET. Let us know if you need further help.

. Let us know how many days you have and we can customize accordingly the hike , trek for you. .

Photos of the Kathmandu Valley day hikes

Please click on thumbnail to enlarge.