Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking Tour: A 6-Day Short Trek from Kathmandu

Your Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking Tour begins the moment you land — the flight into Kathmandu offers stunning views of the Himalayan range on descent, a preview of the mountains you’ll be hiking toward in just a few days. You’ll touch down at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), at 1,350m altitude. Nepal’s entry visa can be arranged in advance or on arrival at TIA, with on-arrival processing taking up to 45 minutes depending on the queue.

Once you exit the airport, our representative will greet you with a placard and a traditional Tibetan scarf before driving you to your hotel in Thamel — about 30 minutes away, passing sights like Pashupatinath Temple and Kathmandu’s busy streets along the way.

After settling into your hotel, you’ll have time to rest and freshen up before a trip briefing that walks you through the days ahead — Kathmandu sightseeing, the Chisapani-Nagarkot hike, and the Bhaktapur finale. The day closes with a welcome dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel, ready to start exploring in the morning.

Day 2 of your Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking Tour is a full day of Kathmandu sightseeing — your last day of city comforts before heading into the hills.

You’ll visit four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Swayambhunath, the hilltop “Monkey Temple” with panoramic valley views; Pashupatinath Temple, one of the world’s most sacred Hindu sites on the banks of the Bagmati River; Boudhanath Stupa, a hub for Tibetan Buddhism and one of the largest stupas anywhere; and Patan Durbar Square, showcasing Malla-era art and architecture. See our full Kathmandu sightseeing guide!

After breakfast, your Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking Tour truly begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Sundarijal — about 15km, taking 35–40 minutes. Along the way, you’ll pass the Sundarijal waterfall and watershed, the source that supplies water to the entire Kathmandu Valley.

From Sundarijal, the trail leads toward Chisapani via Mulkharka, passing through a Tamang village along the way. At Mulkharka, the route enters dense forest, and a 4–5 hour hike through the trees brings you to Chisapani — meaning “cold water” — where you’ll spend the night.

Today’s leg of the Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking Tour continues through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, where the forest occasionally reveals bigger wildlife like the Himalayan black bear or Indian leopard — though you’re far more likely to spot smaller residents such as mongoose, porcupine, jungle cat, and pangolin, along with birdlife including the yellow-throated marten for keen birdwatchers.

Lunch is taken along the way in either Chauki Bhanjyang or Jhule, before the trail continues on to Nagarkot in time for sunset over the Himalayas. A watchtower and several other viewpoints offer prime spots to take it in, followed by dinner at one of Nagarkot’s many hotels, ranging from budget to luxury.

The final morning of your Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking Tour delivers its signature moment: sunrise over 8 of Nepal’s 13 Himalayan ranges. Clouds part and reveal the peaks in stages, and a hot breakfast in the crisp mountain air makes for a fitting way to take it all in.

From Nagarkot, the trail descends for about 4 hours toward Changu Narayan Temple — dedicated to Lord Vishnu and believed to be the oldest temple in Nepal. Though the site was damaged in the 2015 earthquake and restoration work continues with UNESCO’s support, a nearby living museum survived intact, offering insight into Nepali and Newari art, culture, and history.

From Changu Narayan, you’ll drive to Bhaktapur to explore the historic Bhaktapur Durbar Square before heading back to Kathmandu, where a Nepalese cultural farewell dinner closes out the trip.

One of our office representatives will accompany you to the airport for your departure. It’s time to bid farewell, and we look forward to the possibility of seeing you again in the future.