Drive from Kathmandu to Sundarijal, about 15 km and 30 to 60 minutes. Show your park ticket at the gate and start the walk beside the water works, past waterfalls and through Mulkharka village into oak and rhododendron forest. The trail climbs about 8 km and 780 m to Chisapani, five to six hours according to the operators we read. Chisapani is a ridge settlement of lodges at about 2,170 m, with views to the Langtang and Jugal peaks in clear weather. Arrive in time for the sunset, then enjoy dal bhat and an early night.
Chisapani Nagarkot Trek
A three-day ridge trek around the north-east rim of the Kathmandu Valley: Sundarijal to Chisapani, then the long ridge to Nagarkot and a walk down to Changu Narayan.
- Days3
- Max altitude2,175 m
- Distance42.1 km
- Ascent1,536 m
- Difficultyeasy-moderate
- Best monthsOct–Nov, Mar–Apr
- Permits2
Photo: Sunil kawan · CC BY-SA 4.0
This itinerary is a draft and hasn't been verified yet. Always confirm stages with your guide.
Written by FindTrekkingPartner teamReviewed by FindTrekkingPartner teamHow we reviewFindTrekkingPartner
Chisapani Nagarkot Trek is a 3-day trek in the Kathmandu Valley region of Nepal that climbs to 2,175 m. Foreign trekkers can find a partner for it on FindTrekkingPartner by posting a trip with their dates, budget and pace. Matches stay private until both trekkers agree, and the service is free. At mid-range rates a licensed guide costs about USD 28 per person over 3 days when four trekkers share, against USD 112 for one trekker alone. The best seasons are Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr. The Nepal Tourism Board April 2023 rule requires a licensed guide in national parks and conservation areas. Local practice differs (checked 19 October 2026): the Khumbu municipality opted out and issues its own trek card, and day hikes are rarely checked, but follow the rule and hire a guide; confirm with your agency. Last verified: October 19, 2026. Sources: Nepal Tourism Board, DNPWC, Department of Immigration.
Sources:Department of Immigration, NepalNepal Tourism BoardDepartment of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation
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Overview
Starts from Kathmandu3 days · max 2,175 m
Best seasons: Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr · Permits: Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry permit (NPR 1,000 for foreigners), No restricted-area permit
The Chisapani Nagarkot trek is a three-day ridge walk around the north-east rim of the Kathmandu Valley, with two nights in lodges and a start and finish by road. A short drive from Kathmandu reaches Sundarijal, the walk climbs through Mulkharka and forest to Chisapani at about 2,170 m, a long second day follows the ridge to Nagarkot, and the third morning walks down to the temple town of Changu Narayan before a drive back. On our map the three days cover about 42 km, with 1,540 m of climbing, and most of the way follows a marked trail. The walk enters Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park at Sundarijal, so the park fee of NPR 1,000 applies. October to November and March to April have the clearest views. No flight is needed, and the walk can be cut short by taxi at any road crossing.
The plan follows three operator itineraries that agree on five to six hours to Chisapani and seven to eight hours to Nagarkot, with a lunch stop at Chauki Bhanjyang. The first day is the steeper one; the second day is long but mostly level, and the ridge track shares some stretches with a forest road. It suits first-time trekkers, families with older children and anyone who wants a short walk with Himalayan views.
What the trek is like
The trail leaves the Sundarijal water works, climbs beside waterfalls and through Mulkharka village and then through oak and rhododendron forest to Chisapani, a ridge settlement of lodges. From there the way follows the ridge through forest and fields, passes Jhule and Chauki Bhanjyang, and climbs to Nagarkot, which lies at about 2,175 m by operators and 2,195 m by Wikipedia.
Permits and rules
The Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry fee for foreigners is NPR 1,000 per person per entry, and NPR 600 for SAARC nationals, according to the Nepal Tourism Board; children under 10 are free. No restricted-area permit is needed.
Best season
October to November has the clearest skies, and March to April is warm with flowers in the forest. The monsoon brings cloud and leeches.
Getting there and away
Sundarijal is about 15 km from Kathmandu, 30 to 60 minutes by taxi, and the return from Changu Narayan is about an hour by road.
Difficulty and fitness
The trek is easy to moderate. The first day climbs about 780 m in 8 km, the second is long at about 22 km but mostly level, and the third is a descent. Anyone who walks regularly can do it. Children over about eight years old manage it if they like walking, and the road beside the ridge allows a shorter day.
Budget notes
The costs section uses Nepal-wide lodge and meal ranges for low-altitude nights, the park fee of NPR 1,000 and taxi fares for the transfers, shown as lines to check. A guide is optional; a porter is rarely needed for a light pack.
What to pack
A light rain jacket, a warm layer for the ridge nights, water for at least a litre and a half, snacks, sun protection, a head torch for the sunrise and boots with a good grip for the stone steps.
Guide rule
Buy the park entry ticket at the gate; no guide check is reported on this route (checked 19 October 2026). See the guide rule by region.
Highlights
- Sunrise from the Chisapani ridge and from Nagarkot, with up to eight Himalayan ranges in view
- Forest of oak and rhododendron inside Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
- Tamang and Newar villages and terraced hillsides on the long ridge
- Changu Narayan, a fourth-century Vishnu temple and World Heritage Site
- A start and finish by road, within an hour of Kathmandu
Route map
Route data from OpenStreetMap, not yet checked by our team. Use it for planning, not navigation.
Day by day
The longest day. Walk out along the ridge at sunrise, then follow forest tracks and a forest road down to Jhule and Chauki Bhanjyang, where most groups stop for lunch, and on through villages and terraced fields, climbing past Kattike Bhanjyang to Nagarkot. On our map it is about 22 km, with 610 m of climbing and 870 m of descent, in seven to eight hours, and much of it is on a forest road. Keep water and snacks with you. Nagarkot has hotels at every price.
Get up early for sunrise from the Nagarkot viewpoint, where Wikipedia says that eight of Nepal's thirteen Himalayan ranges can be seen on a clear day. After breakfast, walk down the ridge through Telkot to Changu Narayan, about 11.7 km, 150 m up and 535 m down, three to four hours on tracks and village roads. The temple, a fourth-century Vishnu shrine and World Heritage Site, is worth an hour. A taxi or private vehicle takes you back to Kathmandu in about an hour. You can shorten the day by taking the road from Nagarkot.
What it costs
Estimated all-in cost per person: lodge and food by altitude, transport, permits, and the guide and porters. The more trekkers share a guide and porters, the less each person pays. As of October 2026.
| Style | 1 trekker | 2 trekkers sharing | 4 trekkers sharing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $30–$60* | $30–$60* | $30–$60* |
| Mid-range | $170–$270* | $110–$180* | $80–$140* |
| Comfort | $180–$290* | $140–$220* | $120–$190* |
Share a guide, save money
At mid-range, a solo trekker pays about $170–$270; four trekkers sharing one guide and two porters pay about $80–$140 each (48% less at the top of the range).
Breakdown for 2 trekkers sharing
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge and food | $30–$60 | $40–$80 | $50–$100 |
| Permits | $0–$10 | $0–$10 | $0–$10 |
| Guide | — | $40–$70 | $40–$70 |
| Porters | — | $10–$30 | $30–$60 |
Budget uses public transport and no porter; mid-range shares one porter between two trekkers and a private vehicle; comfort gives each trekker a porter. A guide is included where one is required or the style is mid-range or comfort.
Nightly lodge and food (room and a dal bhat meal)
2 nights Below 2,500 m: room $2–$9, dal bhat $4–$7
Permit fees (official sources)
- Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry permit: NPR 1,000 per entry Source
Not included
No published price found for: Kathmandu to Sundarijal by taxi; Changu Narayan to Kathmandu by taxi. Totals marked * leave these out; ask your agency. Park entry ticket at the gate; no guide check reported (checked 19 October 2026).
Cost sources
- PriceNepal: Nepal Travel Cost Guide 2026 (2026-05-14)
- Third Rock Adventures: Nepal trek budget planner (2026-05-09)
- Himalayan Partner: Guide and porter price in Nepal 2026 (2026-02-10)
- Shikhar Adventure: Annapurna Circuit trek cost (2026-02-03)
- Nepal Tourism Board: Trekking Permit (2026-10-18)
Estimates from operator guides, not quotes. Tips, insurance, gear and Kathmandu hotels are not included; USD at the platform exchange rate.
Photos
Frequently asked questions
This plan takes three days and two nights from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. Day one is five to six hours of walking, day two seven to eight hours, and day three three to four hours down to Changu Narayan. Operators also sell two-day and six-day versions.
You need the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry permit, NPR 1,000 per person for foreigners on the Nepal Tourism Board fee table, because the trail enters the park at Sundarijal. No restricted-area permit applies.
Operators give Chisapani as 2,100 to 2,300 m, and the elevation model gives about 2,175 m. Nagarkot is about 2,175 m on operator pages and 2,195 m on Wikipedia, and the viewpoint tower is at about 2,160 m on our model.
October and November give the clearest skies and March and April are warm. In the monsoon the peaks are often hidden and leeches are common on forest trails.
Yes: the park entry ticket is bought at the gate and no guide check is reported (checked 19 October 2026). The trail is marked and busy at weekends, but forest roads cross it in places and mist can hide the way, so carry a map or hire a guide if the weather is poor.
Sources
Along the trail
Stays, medical help, water and sights on each day of the route.
1. Kathmandu → Chisapani
- Sundarijal Swastha Chauki · Medical · 1,686 m
- Hotel Mount D.J. · Stays · 1,709 m
- Hotel Karma and Restaurant · Stays · 1,670 m
- City View Restaurant & Lodge · Stays · 1,973 m
- Shivapuri Jungle View Resort · Stays · 2,134 m
Show all 8 places
- Hotel Mount D.J. · Stays · 1,709 m
- Sundarijal Swastha Chauki · Medical · 1,686 m
- Hotel Karma and Restaurant · Stays · 1,670 m
- City View Restaurant & Lodge · Stays · 1,973 m
- City View Guest House & Restaurant · Stays · 1,972 m
- Safal top rest point, hotel anf lodge · Stays · 2,006 m
- Aman hotel · Stays · 2,011 m
- Shivapuri Jungle View Resort · Stays · 2,134 m
2. Chisapani → Nagarkot
- Viewpoint · Viewpoints · 2,188 m
- Nature trail (finishing point) · Viewpoints · 1,833 m
- Stupa · Stays · 1,923 m
- Hotel Nagarkot Peak · Stays · 1,904 m
- Hotel Himalyan heart · Stays · 1,903 m
- Hotel Himalayan heart · Stays · 1,904 m
Show all 22 places
- Dorje Lakpa Hotel · Stays · 2,163 m
- Hotel Annapurna Mountain View · Stays · 2,174 m
- Hotel B.B.C. · Stays · 2,172 m
- Sunrise Hotel · Stays · 2,168 m
- Viewpoint · Viewpoints · 2,188 m
- Shivapuri Cottage Restaurant and Hotel · Stays · 2,024 m
- Jhule Organic Farm House · Stays · 1,981 m
- Hotel Everest View and Restaurant · Stays · 1,879 m
- Buddha · Stays · 1,833 m
- Hotel Lama · Stays · 1,835 m
- Lapsi Tree Resort · Stays · 1,800 m
- Sherpa Lodge · Stays · 1,749 m
- Nagarkot Farmhouse · Stays · 1,830 m
- Nature trail (finishing point) · Viewpoints · 1,833 m
- Stupa · Stays · 1,923 m
- Hotel Nagarkot Peak · Stays · 1,904 m
- Hotel Himalyan heart · Stays · 1,903 m
- Hotel Himalayan heart · Stays · 1,904 m
- Hotel Nagarkot Holiday Inn · Stays · 1,907 m
- Himalayan guest house · Stays · 1,910 m
- Hotel Sakura Durbar · Stays · 1,903 m
- Nagarkot Food Home · Stays · 1,910 m
3. Nagarkot → Kathmandu
- Club Himalaya · Stays · 1,924 m
- Viewpoint · Viewpoints · 1,662 m
- Narayan Hiti · Practical · 1,467 m
- Chayanath health care · Medical · 1,334 m
- Infirmary · Medical · 1,335 m
- The Nest Guest Gouse · Stays · 1,509 m
- Drinking Water · Practical · 1,538 m
- Gam Dhoka Park · Viewpoints · 1,507 m
Show all 18 places
- Club Himalaya · Stays · 1,924 m
- Langtang View Nagarkot Bed & Breakfast · Stays · 1,917 m
- Hotel Panaroma Inn Restaurant & Bar · Stays · 1,906 m
- Panaroma inn · Stays · 1,905 m
- Silver Mountain · Stays · 1,903 m
- Gaurisankhar · Stays · 1,904 m
- Sister’s homestay · Stays · 1,780 m
- Hotel Sunrise · Stays · 1,790 m
- Viewpoint · Viewpoints · 1,662 m
- Nagarkot Waterfall · Nature · 1,513 m
- Hotel Rudrakshya · Stays · 1,632 m
- Muskan Pharma · Medical · 1,371 m
- Narayan Hiti · Practical · 1,467 m
- Drinking Water · Practical · 1,538 m
- Gam Dhoka Park · Viewpoints · 1,507 m
- Chayanath health care · Medical · 1,334 m
- Infirmary · Medical · 1,335 m
- The Nest Guest Gouse · Stays · 1,509 m