Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Day Hike
Sunrise views from Nagarkot, then a mostly downhill ridge walk through villages to the ancient temple of Changu Narayan.
- Duration
- About 4 hours
- Start
- 6:30 AM from your hotel
- Group
- Private, up to 12
- Grade
- Moderate
Nagarkot sits on the valley's eastern rim at about 2,175 m, and on a clear morning the view is simply spectacular: the Himalaya stretches right across the northern horizon, from Langtang and Ganesh Himal to the peaks around Everest. Once you've had your fill, you'll walk down the ridge on village trails and forest paths, past terraced fields and Tamang and Newar houses, all the way to Changu Narayan.
Changu Narayan is a UNESCO-listed Vishnu temple with the finest stone and wood carving in the valley, plus a pillar inscription from 464 AD. Best of all, the car meets you there, so there's no walking back! You'll drive home via Bhaktapur.
Highlights
- Himalayan views from Nagarkot
- A ridge trail through farming villages
- Changu Narayan, a World Heritage temple
- Mostly downhill, about 4 hours of walking
How the day runs
Nagarkot to Changu Narayan
- 6:30 AM pickup and drive to Nagarkot (about 1.5 hours).
- Breakfast stop with the mountain view (not included).
- Walk the ridge to Telkot and down through the villages to Changu Narayan.
- Visit the temple, then drive back to Kathmandu, arriving at about 3 PM.
Tour facts
- Walking
- About 4 hours, 12 km, mostly downhill
- Highest point
- Nagarkot, about 2,175 m
- Start
- 6:30 AM from your hotel
- Grade
- Moderate
What the price includes
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Kathmandu, Patan or Bhaktapur
- Private car to the trailhead and back
- A licensed, English-speaking hiking guide
- Drinking water
- Government taxes and our service charge
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Entrance or park fees on the route
- Tips for your guide and driver
Good to know
- Meeting point
- Your hotel lobby in Kathmandu
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. If you cancel later or don't show up, the tour price is not refunded.
- Notes
- Changu Narayan entrance fee for foreign visitors: NPR 300.
- Tour code
- KCT-HIKE-01
Questions about this tour
How fit do I need to be?
If you can walk for three or four hours with a few uphill sections, you'll be fine. Your guide sets the pace to suit the slowest walker, so nobody gets left behind.
What should I bring?
Walking shoes with good grip, a light jacket, a sun hat, sunscreen and a small day pack. We'll bring the water.
What happens if it rains?
A little rain won't stop us, but in heavy monsoon rain we'll offer you another date or a shorter route.
Want to change something?
Every tour is private, so we can easily change the start time, add a stop or even join two tours into one day. Just tell us what you have in mind!
Ask about this tourfrom $35 per person
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