Chisapani Nagarkot Trek is not just a trek but a thrilling adventure, a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. Located just on the city's outskirts, it's a three-day program that transports trekkers into a world of unexplored forests, beautiful villages, and verdant hills.
Chisapani Nagarkot Hike is a popular walking route in the hills surrounding Kathmandu, Nepal. It's a trek that's as convenient as it is breathtaking, offering a serene escape from the city's chaos.
Chisapani Nagarkot Trek offers stunning views of the Himalayan mountain range, including Mount Everest (on a clear day). It is suitable for trekkers of all levels of experience. It is a short 3-day trek via Shivapuri National Park.
Chisapani Nagarkot Trekking begins in Sundarijal village, about two hours from Kathmandu. From here, trekkers follow a well-marked trail through oak and rhododendron forests to Chisapani. The trail is relatively easy, with only a few steep sections, and offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
As trekkers make their way up the trail, they will pass through several small villages and have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture. Chisapani Nagarkot is not just a trek; it's a cultural immersion experience where you can learn about their culture and way of life.
You'll also have the chance to see various wildlife, including birds and monkeys. You can even see the elusive red panda on the Chisapani Nagarkot trail if you're lucky.
On the second day of the walk, you will reach the village of Nagarkot at an altitude of 2,175 meters (7,136 feet). Nagarkot is famous for its stunning views of the Himalayas, and many trekkers choose to stay here for a day or two to take in the scenery and watch the sunrise over the mountains.
From Nagarkot, you can continue on the trail to other destinations, such as Dhulikhel and Namo Buddha, or return to Kathmandu.
Chisapani Nagarkot trek is about 60 kilometres (37 miles) long and can be completed in three to seven days, depending on your fitness level and itinerary. The trek ends at Changu Narayan temple, one of the oldest temples in Nepal.
Overall, the Chisapani Nagarkot trek is a great way to enjoy the undisturbed beauty of Nepal's countryside and the culture of Nepali people.
The walk through dense forests, terraced fields, waterfalls, and villages is a nature lover's dream. Chisapani Nagarkot trekking is a must-do if you are looking for a short and relatively easy trek that immerses you in the serene natural beauty of Nepal. From Nagarkot, trekkers can see the peaks of Annapurna (8,091 m), Manaslu (8,163 m), Ganesh Himal (7,422 m), Langtang Lirung (7,234 m), and Dorje Lhakpa (6,966 m), among others.
The views of the mountains are stunning at sunrise and sunset. In addition to the mountains, trekkers will also have the opportunity to see various wildlife and beautiful forests along the trail.
There are many attractions during the Chisapani Nagarkot trekking in Nepal and we have highlighted some of them below.
Shivapuri National Park is a protected area on the northern fringe of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The park covers an area of 159 square kilometers (61 square miles) and was established in 2002 to conserve the region's natural habitats and biodiversity. During the Chisapani Nagarkot trek, we'll walk through the forests of this national park.
Shivapuri National Park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including over 500 species of plants, 300 species of birds, and many different mammals such as leopards, deer, and wild boar.
The park is also an essential water source for Kathmandu, as it is the headwaters of the Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers. The park offers a variety of activities for visitors, including trekking, birdwatching, and nature photography.
Several well-marked trails wind through the park, offering stunning Himalayas and surrounding countryside views.
Nagarkot is a popular hill station located at the rim of Kathmandu Valley, 32 km west of the city. The town is at an altitude of 2,175 meters (7,163 feet). It is famous for its stunning views of the Himalayan mountain range, including Mount Everest.
Nagarkot is a popular destination for a quick gateway. Travelers can spend a day or two in Nagarkot to enjoy the beautiful views and watch the sunrise over the mountains.
In addition to trekking, Nagarkot offers other outdoor activities like mountain biking.
Nagarkot is small and quiet, with a few guesthouses and restaurants catering to tourists. In addition to the natural beauty, Nagarkot is home to several important cultural and religious sites, including the Nagarkot Bhagwati Temple and the Nagarkot Danda, a sacred hill with panoramic views of the Himalayas.
Changu Narayan Temple is an ancient Hindu temple in Changu Narayan, in Bhaktapur District, Nepal. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and is one of Nepal's oldest and most important temples.
The temple was built in the 4th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its beautiful architecture, with intricately carved wood and stone sculptures depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
Changu Narayan Temple is on a hilltop, surrounded by beautiful gardens and forests. Visitors can climb the temple's stairs and admire the views of the surrounding countryside. The temple is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists and is an important cultural and religious site in Nepal.
In addition to its religious significance, the Changu Narayan Temple is also an important historical site. The temple has several inscriptions and artifacts that provide valuable insights into Nepal's history and culture.
Get the detailed itinerary for the 3-day Chisapani Nagarkot Trek. The itinerary is from Kathmandu to Kathmandu and does not include any accommodations in Kathmandu for pre- and post-trek. So, let us know if you want to add accommodation in Kathmandu or if you have any tours in Nepal before or after the trek.
We will have breakfast early today and load our luggage in a private vehicle to drive to Sundarijal. From Kathmandu, it is a two-hour drive to Sundarijal. Once a drive begins, we pass the busy markets and soon drive along the countryside. The views of hills and waterfalls on the way will be fantastic.
Sundarijal supplies water to Kathmandu via a century-old water pipe alongside the road and down the stone steps. The area became protected in 1978 as a watershed and later as a national park in 2022. From Sundarijal, we'll begin hiking to Chisapani. The trail goes through forested paths and hillsides.
The day begins early. We leave Chisapani after having a warm breakfast. The trail continues today through the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. It is a forest walk. The vegetation and wildlife along the way are enchanting. The park has many animals, including the Himalayan black bear and Indian leopard.
Well, it is less likely we'll encounter animals like this on our hiking trail. Still, we may see other animals, such as jungle cats, mongooses, pangolins, porcupines, etc., and many species of birds. The trail gradually ascends to Chauki Bhanjyan, where we stop for lunch. From here, we keep walking, enjoying magical views of the Himalayan range in the distance (stretching from Dhaulagiri in the west to Everest & Kanchenjunga in the east).
Once we reach Nagarkot, we will rest for a couple of hours and later go out to see a gorgeous sunset. The rest of the day is free to unwind.
Today is another exciting day ahead of us. We wake up early to witness a jaw-dropping sunrise over 8 Himalayan ranges. It will be a magical moment. Later, we will return to our hotel and have breakfast. Now, it is time to continue our trek to Changunarayan temple. It is one of Nepal's oldest temples, and it has many historical events and stories. We'll reach the temple in a couple of hours.
We will explore the temple and its premises. Then, we will have lunch and hop in our vehicle to return to Kathmandu. The guide will drop you off at your hotel. Remember to give us your feedback. Let us know if you want to join any other short hike or trek; we have plenty of options.
We suggest you to hire a porter to carry your bag pack while on trek, trekking with a light day pack is much easier and you enjoy your trekking holidays to the fullest. A trekking porter carries about 20-22 Kg (about 10-11 Kg from each of you), and we suggest to hire a porter in between of two trekkers.
Chisapani Nagarkot trek is considered moderate and suitable for trekkers of all experience levels and ages. The trail is well-marked and relatively easy, with only a few steep sections.
However, trekkers should be in good physical condition and able to hike for several hours daily. Altitude can also be a factor, as the highest point on the trek is 2,175 meters (7,163 feet) at Nagarkot. The trail has ample tourist infrastructure so that you will have no issue spending the night and getting decent meals.
The Chisapani Nagarkot trek is an excellent option for those looking for an adventurous but doable trek in Kathmandu's beautiful hills.
Altitude sickness is a condition that can occur when people ascend to high altitudes too quickly, causing symptoms such as headache, nausea, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.
The risk of altitude sickness on the Chisapani Nagarkot trek is very low, as the highest point is only 2,175 meters (7,163 feet) at Nagarkot.
Here are some tips for preparing for the Chisapani Nagarkot Trek:
Get in shape: Chisapani Nagarkot trek is moderate and requires a good fitness level. To prepare for the trek, you should start a regular exercise routine a few weeks before your Trip, focusing on hiking, running, or cycling.
Pack wisely: Make sure to pack light and bring only the essentials. You must carry all your gear on the trek, so pack wisely and avoid getting unnecessary items.
Some essential items are reusable water bottles, a first aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellent, and warm clothing.
The best time to go on the Chisapani Nagarkot trek is from March to May and September to December. You can also go on this hike from winter to December to February. Still, the views may not be apparent because of unclear weather. Likewise, you can make this small trek during the monsoon season.
You stay overnight in a guesthouse or hotel in Chisapani Nagarkot Trek. As it is not remote, it has almost all the modern facilities. The guesthouse is moderate, but essential services like a hot shower, wifi, charging facility, and network are available. The rooms usually come on a shared basis with a private or common washroom.
We provide seven meals (2 breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners) on this Chisapani Nagarkot Trek, provided in the lodges/guesthouse. The menu includes cuisines like Nepali, Tibetan, Continental, and Indian. Dishes like rice, curries, soup, veggies, meat, eggs, toast, sandwiches, pasta, Momo, Noodles, Thukpa, Pudding, Porridge, etc, are available on this trail.
Chisapani Nagarkot trek is the best trek for children and school students. It does not go to a high altitude but still offers excellent views.
I had less than a week to do trek in Nepal and I reached out to several trekking companies in Nepal, and only Outfitter Himalaya responded to my inquiries. Arjun...
