Nagarkot Changunarayan Day Hike:
Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city:
Pick up at 7:30 am from hotel – drive to Nagarkot and explore – 3 hrs hiking from Nagarkot to Changunarayan – back to Kathmandu.
Nagarkot Changunarayan day hike is a fantastic walking tour on the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, perfect for those looking for an easy adventure activity during a short visit to the city. This hike offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, while allowing visitors to explore the countryside and witness traditional village life. The local villages along the trail remain relatively unchanged despite being so close to the city, and their traditional lifestyle is an interesting sight to behold.
Our team will pick you up from your hotel for an hour-long drive through green fields and terraced landscapes to Nagarkot, a hill station at 2100m. The drive is scenic, with views of the green valley and the stunning Himalayas. Nagarkot is a popular destination to capture the panoramic view of the snowy Himalayan peaks and marks the starting point of the day hike.
The hiking trail from Nagarkot to Changunarayan gradually descends through terraced fields, passing through the quaint Tamang Village with its unique thatched houses built with local stone by skilled craftsmen. These 3-story houses have a kitchen on the ground floor, a bedroom on the second floor, and a store on the top floor, with a courtyard in front and an adjoining shed for animals. The garden next to the house supplies seasonal vegetables and fruit for the household. In spring, the village is bursting with color from blooming flowers and playful young animals. Wine-making is a common sight throughout the year during this day hike.
The first part of the hike follows a ridge with a rich deciduous forest, while the second part offers a fascinating cultural encounter. The Himalayas appear in the distance, undisturbed and remote. The hiking is easy with gradual downhill and fairly level paths, taking about 3 hours to reach Changunarayan, the oldest pagoda-style Hindu temple in Nepal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting the temple and having lunch, we will drive you back to Kathmandu.
