Hiking
Hiking and walking around Kathmandu and pokhara valley for visitors who stay for short duration in Nepal and wants to explore on walking or hiking around Kathmandu and Pokhara Valley enjoying the Local villages and natural green hills. Kathmandu and Pokhara are the valley decorated by shining range of mountains,green hills ,traditional and cultural villages residing 4 castes,36 sub-castes in an harmonious environment.
You will be seeing the stunning mountains views without climbing big hills and without taking long adventures. A few day hiking around Kathmandu ,Pokhara and the places like Nagarkot, Chisapani, Kakani, Champadevi, Phulchoki, Bhaktapur Dhampus,Phanchase, Sarangkot etc gives you a chance to view a panoramic mountain instead of trekking for long period.
Godawari
Start / End: Kathmandu / Bajrabarahi- Godawari / Kathmandu
Hike Duration: 3 Hours
Max. Altitude: 1550 m
Highlights:
Paddy Fields
3 famous peaks langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal and Manaslu.
Pine forests, Rhododendron trees and various wild flowers.
Botanical garden
Bird watching
This is a day hike starting from the Chapagaun V.D.C in Patan. It’s a 3 hours walk through paddy fields and suburban villages. The Highest point reached is 1550 m from sea level and offers the complete view of the Kathmandu valley and 3 famous peaks langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal and Manaslu. This trail goes through the Tamang village where the people still have a traditional way of life. 70% of the walk goes through the pine forest with lots of Rhododendron trees and various wild flowers. The walk ends at the Botanical garden of Godavari where you can observe various species of rare plants and flowers found in Nepal. The forest above the botanical garden is famous for watching birds and it’s migratory passage of coming in and out of the Kathmandu valley. Altogether more than 350 species of birds are recorded in the area. You can spend a whole day exploring the botanical garden combined with the hike.
Champadevi
Start / End: Kathmandu / Pharping
Max. Elevation: 2300 m.
Hike Duration: Max. 5 hrs.
Trip Highlights:
Buddhist Stupa
Magnificent view of the Himalayan ranges, especially Langtang and Annapurna.
Pine forests.
A 2300 meters high peak, Champadevi acts as the border in the southeastern corner of the valley separating it from the Makwanpur district. Besides the hiking experience this hill has a Buddhist stupa and people visit this place especially on the day of full moon to pay homage to the lord.
This day hike starts from a place called Pharping which lies 16 Km south of the Kathmandu From here we hike up following the trail, covered by pine forest for about another 3 hours to Champadevi. The hilltop offers magnificent view of the Himalayan ranges, especially Langtang and Annapurna. After Lunch and strolling around from sometime, we hike down following the same trail for about 1 and half hours.
Phulchoki
Start / End: Kathmandu / Godawari
Hike Duration: 3 Hours
Max. Altitude: 2750 m
Highlights:
Botanical Garden
Superb panoramic mountain views
Landscape, birds and historical places
Phulchoki is the highest hill surrounding Kathmandu valley with an altitude of 2750m from Sea level. This is one of the beautiful hiking in terms of vegetation in Kathmandu valley. After breakfast at the hotel, we drive 14kms for about 45minutes to place called Godavari (Botanical Garden) with packed lunch Box. A perfect place to see vegetation (Botanical Garden) and also famous for watching birds: A great day hike to escape the city life for few hours an hour drive leads to the south east of Kathmandu Valley and Lalitpur and only away from the capital, from Godavari hike for few hours to the top ridge of Phulchowki the highest elevation around Kathmandu valley rim at 2,750 meters the small hill region is recommended for its quiet surroundings and skyline views of the surrounding landscapes and snow capped mountain views in the distance to the far north west, it’s beauty is augmented by presence of a botanical garden, here you can observe rich display of hundreds of different species of flower, plants, trees and herbs, observe the wide angle panoramic views from near Mt.Everest, Cho –Oyu, Gaurishanker Himal, Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal, Mt. Manaslu all the way to Annapurna range towards far west, the place is rich in vegetation in spring and summer exotic flowers various flowers from rhododendrons, magnolia, orchids and wild flowers can be observed, from hike downhill towards botanical garden and visit the garden with varieties of flowers, plants and herbs after marvelous day drive back to Kathmandu.
Kakani to Bhanjayang Hike
Start / End: Kathmandu / Kakani
Maximum Altitude: 2073 m.
Hike Duration: 5 Hours.
Trip Highlights:
Oak, rhododendron and pine forest.
This is an interesting hike through oak, rhododendron and pine forest.
The hike starts with a drive to kakani (2073m).it is an hour’s drive 32 kms north of Kathmandu. From Kakani the trail leads towards the east with graveled motorable road. The trail is almost flat and there are numerous picnic spots and small village en route. We hike for about three hours to Bhanjyang with about 20 minutes steep climb before we reach Bhanjyang.
After lunch and strolling around for sometime, we hike down to kakani for about two and half hours and drive back to Kathmandu.
Namobuddha
Trip Start / End: Kathmandu
Maximum Altitude: 1800 m.
Hike Duration: Minimum 5 hours.
Trip Highlights:
Holy site for the Buddhist.
Stupas and shrines.
Ancient Newar town Panauti.
Suspension bridge.
Namobuddha is a holy site for the Buddhist and lies in the kavre district at an altitude of 1800m, about 38 kms east of Kathmandu. The stupa and shrines build up in this lovely little hill significantly enough mark a very ancient holy site where a legendary prince named Mahasattva offered him to starving Tigress with its several underfed cubs. This legendary episode is depicted in a very nice stone slab and place right next to a holy stupa.
Hike starts after we drive 35 kms east of Kathmandu for about one and half hours to a place called Dhapasi via an ancient Newar town Panauti with packed lunch Box. From Dhapasi we follow the uphill trail towards north-east direction and the trail narrows.We cross a suspension bridge and pass Through many small village to huge rice field which gives you a chance to see how Nepali people plant and harvest the crop (during appropriate season).from here we hike steep uphill for about an hour to reach Namobuddha and the total hiking hours in % hours.
After lunch and strolling around from sometime, we drive down to Dhulikhel from about 30 minutes and one hour.
Shivapuri Hiking from Budhanilkantha via Nagi Gumpa
Trip Start / End: Kathmandu.
Maximum Altitude: 2563 m.
Hike Duration: 5 Hours
Trip Highlights:
Budhanilkantha Temple.
Shivapuri conservation area.
Monastery.
More than 500 species of vegetation.
Shivapuri situated at an altitude of 2563m north of Kathmandu is second highest hill around Kathmandu valley, after the famous Phulchowki hill. In this hill is located the Bagdwar, source of Holy River Bagmati and is the biggest water supply to the Kathmandu valleys increasing population. We drive for about 45 minutes to Budhanilkantha Temple, one of the temples with biggest statue of Lord Vishnu sleeping in the ocean bed which lies 8 kms north of Kathmandu. From Budhanilkantha we walk through Shivapuri conservation area. This is the Government protected forest where over 500 species of vegetation 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 2330m north of Kathmandu and above Budhanilkantha Temple is only Monastery for the Nuns where about 200 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 trail to Shivapuri.
After lunch and strolling around from sometimes, we take a short cut downhill trail to Budhanilkantha for about and half hours and drive back to Kathmandu.
Nagarjuna
Nagarjuna hill another view points close to the Kathmandu city located West of Kathmandu, the place is famous for rock climbing and bird watch tour and hikes, it is also popular spot for the local Kathmandu people to escape the city life for few hours, morning a short drive of 40 minutes leads to the west of Kathmandu through the Balaju water garden and then to the thick forested area of Nagarjuna from the gate which is guarded by the Nepal Army at the entrance after obtaining the park ticket hike uphill for near two hours in the midst of beautiful forest overlooking panoramic scenery of Kathmandu valley and distant peaks from Manaslu, Ganesh, Lanagtang, Jugal Himal to Gaurishanker towards east. Nagarjuna a view point hidden by the thick woods of rhododendron, oaks and pines with a small buddhist monastery dedicated to Lord Guru Rinboche also known as Padmasambava and a view tower. This is the spot where great legendry Manjushree back in 4,000 years observed the lake which is a valley now chopped the southern rim of the lake and made a fertile valley for the people to settle. From here descend back to the exit gate for a short drive back to the hotel.
Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Hike
A popular day hiking around Kathmandu valley, includes Bhaktapur on the way back to Kathmandu. An ideal walk and a scenic cultural hike with grand view of Himalayan range overlooking the Kathmandu valley and the city, with breathtaking close scenery of Langtang and Ganesh Himal range of mountains with sunrise and sunset, near two hours of drive from Kathmandu leads to the suburb of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur area, from Bhaktapur past the farm fields and villages and then a drive leads uphill to the famed Nagarkot mountain resorts. Nagarkot, at a height of 2,100 meters above sea-level, this hill top is visited for viewing beautiful sunrises and sunsets and visitors take delight in the layout of the Kathmandu Valley below, on a clear day Mt. Manaslu, Ganesh Himal. Gauri Shanker and Everest can be seen from this very spot. From Nagarkot, a slow easy hike downhill to the ancient Changu Narayan temple area, the walk follows through the farm villages and terraces fields overlooking grand view of the Kathmandu Valley, the walk takes about two hours to reach the destination at Changu Narayan situated on the top of the mid hills of Bhaktapur area. At Changu Narayan visit the temple premises, one of the oldest temples that date back to Licchavis era nearly 3,000 yrs old, after the good de-tour board on the bus for an hour drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Kulekhani
Kulekhani is a beautiful and panoramic landscape situated in Makwanpur district. Kulekhani is mainly famous for fishing, hiking, trekking and boating. Hence, Kulekhani has a great prospect of adventure tourism. Kulekhani can be reached from Kathmandu in few ways but two of the ways are usually used. First, by driving on a vehicle through the Dakshinkali- Hetauda highway and second one is by hiking about 19-20 km from Naubise. A vehicle can also be taken from Naubise to Kulekhani but since the Dakshinkali-Hetauda highway is much more time saver than the Naubise- Hetauda route travelers rarely use that route. But, this route is most famous and most used for hiking.
It is better to start hiking from Naubise early in the morning around 8 A.M. After a climb of steep slopes and few hills the Chitlang Pass begins. This pass is very steep and is surrounded by trees and shrubs on. As the ascent begins the temperature drops gradually and is a boon for the hikers who have been soaked under the sweltering heat. Many hikers become exhausted in the ascent and take sporadic rests in the middle. It takes around 3-4 hours to reach the summit of Chitlang pass depending on the speed of the hikers and the breaks in between. The top of Chitlang hill gives a magnificent view of the Kathmandu Valley. After reaching the top of Chitlang hill it is a better idea to take rest for a while and have lunch. From Chitlang it is mainly downhill and plains. On the way we can see fish ponds where locals have done fish farming. After a few hours hike a place called Markhu is reached. It is a better idea to spend the night at Markhu but those who want to visit Kulekhani Dam that day only can continue the hike. From Markhu the Kulekhani reservoir can be seen and walking on the road above of the reservoir it takes around 2-3 hours to reach a place called Indrasarowar. This place is very famous for fishes and it is a crime not to eat fish at Indrasarowar if we make a trip to Kulekhani. The fish there is to die for and is a must. From here, it takes a walk of around 15-20 mins to reach the Dam site of Kulekhani. There, we can see the end of the dam and we can also look at the turbines. This reservoir plays a very vital role in supplying electricity to our country. Boating and fishing can be done at many places along the reservoir but it is forbidden at this place (unless there are some acquaintances with the army officer in charge of security) as this is a sensitive zone. After a look around the dam the route back to Kathmandu can be done in many ways. Some take local transport along the Hetauda-Dakshinkali highway to Pharping, some hike back the same way they came and some hike the Hetauda-Dakshinkali highway for 5-7 hours. Whichever method they use to return it does not really matter as many of them would have already had once in a lifetime moment on their way to Kulekhani and the tour of the Kulekhani Hydro Power.
Dhampus Hiking
Dhampus Hiking route is also a gateway to Annapurna Conservation Area. The place also serves as one of the main entry points to Annapurna Base camp and to other trekking trails of Annapurna Region. The village ranges from an altitude of 800 m at the base to 1600 m.
The journey to Dhampus village, one of the paradises of Nepal, begins from Phedi village, nearly about 15 minutes drive from beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara.
From here one treks alongside beautiful views of golden rice terraces the vast expanse of the Annapurna Mountain range. This 2 hours climb to Dhampus continues through magnificent rhododendron forest nesting various species of birds to the village of Chandrakot, inhabited by the warm-hearted and hospitable Gurung People.
In terms of climbing technicalities, it is an easy mountain to ascend. The overwhelming altitude differences between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges make Dhampus peak a very vantage spot to observe the mountains with Tukuche Peak (6920 m.) and Dhaulagiri (8167 m.) spectacularly close to you.
When you emerge from the forest and reach Dhampus, you will be able to marvel at exceptional view of massive Mt. Machhapuchhare. Popularly known as Fishtail mountain (6900m) for its peak resemble the shape of fish’s tail. From Dhampus one can also grab the exceptional view of Pokhara and the scenery gets even better as the sun goes down.
The small village comprise of enormous beauty of mountains, friendly Gurung People, a small lake from where one can get the reflection of fishtail, temples, flowers, mustard fields, birds, and many more.
The hiking starts from Pokhara. Clients carry daypack only and walk at their own pace. Hiking hours is about 5-6 per day.
Pokhara Panchase Hiking
Pokhara Panchase hiking is relatively easy, beginning in the tropical climate of west Nepal of Pokhara. The trek offers breath-taking views of the mountains from a gentler height, placid green countryside and hospitable country folk. Forests are tropical at first, but give way to rhodedendron, hung with orchid and fern and which are home to myriad species of colourful birds and insects. This quiet and convenient trek takes you to the heights of Panchase at (2432m) (9000) and some magnificent views of the ranges. It starts and ends in the shadow of the lovely Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre..
Sarangkot Hiking
Sarangkot Hiking is one of the shortest, yet most classic treks in Nepal. It passes through country inhabited by a wide diversity of people. It offers spectacular mountain scenery and takes you north of Annapurna & Mt. Machhapuchare (Fishtail) ranges. This region is heavily settled and farmed. Sarankot is an ideal vantage point to view both a sunrise & sunset within the majestic Himalayan range. You will have views of mountains from Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu including the magnificent Mt. Machhapuchare (Fish Tail). Sarankot village is perched on the North West of Pokhara with enchanting views of Pokhara Valley and the Phewa Lake. This is not only a remarkable trek, but one of the most popular treks in Nepal. It passes through beautiful countryside inhabited by highly diversified communities of people. This region is heavily settled by the mid hills tribe "Gurungs." Gurungs are the famous Gurkha soldiers in the British, Indian, and Nepalese Army, yet back home in the high hills, they are Shepards and farmers. This trek offers excellent scenery encompassing the Himalayan Range to give an encompassing taste to the trekking in Nepal.