Kathmandu Valley Trek

Namaste! Welcome to Nepal.

If you arrive on Day 1 of the tour you will need to be at Himalayan Encounters office (listed in yourEssential Trip Information) at 08:30 a.m. ready to leave for the hike.

If you have arrived at any time before departure day please make your way to the Himalayan Encounters office by 17:00 the evening prior to Day 1 so that we can register that you have arrived and answer any questions you have about the trip.

We will drive to the outskirts of Kathmandu to Sundarijal (aprrox 1 hour). Our walk starts with a long flight of steps - bound to get the heart rate up quickly and you will need good fitness to complete it comfortably! At the end of the steps we follow the water pipeline to the entrance of the Shivapuri National Park. Passing the water reservoir, continue on more stairs to the strung-out village of Mulkharka. After a simple lunch at one of the wayside shops, we go past an abandoned school and into the woods. The shade will bring some welcome relief as will the easing of the gradient! Soon, with weather Gods on your side, we'll get our first glimpse of the mountains. Emerging out of the woods, we find ourselves in the village of Chisapani.

Total trekking time is approximately 5 hours, depending on weather conditions and fitness.

Experience typical "teahouse" culture, spending the night in one of the basic guesthouses in Chisapani.

Hike through sporadic settlements, lush vegetation, dirt tracks and uphill and downhills to the favourite escapade of Kathmandu denizens, Nagarkot (7 hrs approx). Enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Himalayas.

Its a long walking day today through beautiful countryside including Shivapuri National Park. The park is home to over 300 species of birds as well as rarely sighted bears, leopards and several species of deer.

Relish the sunrise view over the distant Himalayas for which Nagarkot has built up its reputation. After breakfast we hike down hill to visit the oldest temple in Nepal, Changu Narayan. Legend suggests a temple has been on this spot since 325AD. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is revered by Hindu's all over Nepal.

Continue along the scenic route through terraced paddy fields, villages and pine forests (5.5 hrs approx) to the medieval town of Bhaktapur. Its another big walking day, but there is time this afternoon to wander the cobble stone streets of this 'city of devotees'. Try a delicious bowl of home made yoghurt, a local specialty before relaxing and watching the comings and goings in ancient Durbar Square. A great place to end the day.

You have a free morning for further exploration of Bhaktapur before returning to Kathmandu (approx. 45mins). Your Inside-Out Kathmandu adventure ends in Kathmandu at approximately 1:00 pm. No accommodation is included tonight.

Be sure to check out an Urban Adventure in Kathmandu if you have time at the end of your trip.