Drive from Kathmandu to Nagarkot, about 1.5 hours, ideally for sunrise, and have tea before you start. The trail leaves the ridge and descends through pine and rhododendron forest and terraced fields, passing Tamang and Newar villages. About two and a half hours on, you reach Telkot, the midway rest stop, where you can visit a small monastery. The way continues downhill with a few gentle ascents to Changu Narayan, a hilltop temple on the UNESCO World Heritage list, where lunch and sightseeing end the day. On our map it is 11.7 km with 150 m of climbing and 535 m of descent, mostly on village roads and tracks. A vehicle back to Kathmandu takes about an hour.
Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Day Hike
A one-day downhill walk from the ridge village of Nagarkot through Telkot and Newar and Tamang villages to Changu Narayan temple, 11.7 km on our map, mostly downhill.
- Days1
- Max altitude2,175 m
- Distance11.7 km
- Ascent149 m
- DifficultyEasy
- Best monthsMar–May, Oct–Nov
Plan a trip with this itineraryFind partners for Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Day HikeSee departures by week
Photo: Alexey Komarov · 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
Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Day Hike is a 1-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 9 per person over 1 days when four trekkers share, against USD 37 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
Find a partner for Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Day Hike
- Find a partner for Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Day HikeNo open trips yet
- Find a partner for Shivapuri Peak Day HikeNo open trips yet
- Find a partner for Chisapani Nagarkot TrekNo open trips yet
- Find a partner for Champadevi Day HikeNo open trips yet
- Find a partner for Phulchowki Day HikeNo open trips yet
- Find a partner for Namo Buddha Day HikeNo open trips yet
Overview
Starts from Nagarkot1 day · max 2,175 m
Best seasons: Mar–May, Oct–Nov
The Nagarkot to Changu Narayan hike is a one-day downhill walk from the ridge village of Nagarkot, about 2,150 m, through Telkot and a string of Tamang and Newar villages to the temple hill of Changu Narayan. On our map the walk is about 11.7 km with 150 m of climbing and 535 m of descent, on village roads, tracks and forest paths. Operators give about 14 km and four to five hours, with a rest stop at Telkot, so our shorter map line looks a little brisk. You drive about 1.5 hours from Kathmandu to Nagarkot, ideally in time for the sunrise view, and take about an hour back from Changu Narayan, or a short bus ride to Bhaktapur. The Nagarkot viewpoint and the Changu Narayan temple charge entrance fees. Carry water and lunch.
The plan follows two operator itineraries that agree on Nagarkot, Telkot and the temple, and on the timing of about four and a half hours with a break. Heights differ: sources give Nagarkot at 2,100 to 2,195 m, and Wikivoyage gives 2,163 m. The same descent is the last day of our Chisapani Nagarkot trek.
What the hike is like
The trail leaves Nagarkot's ridge and descends through pine and rhododendron forest and terraced fields, passing small Tamang and Newar villages. Telkot is the midway rest stop, with an optional monastery visit. The path is wide and easy as long as you wear hiking shoes, with a few gentle ascents. Changu Narayan sits on a hilltop. According to Wikipedia it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and stands about 12 km east of Kathmandu, and a pillar there dates to 464 AD.
Permits and rules
None of our sources lists a park permit for this route. Two entrance fees apply: the Nagarkot viewpoint and the Changu Narayan temple, which operators include in their prices without giving amounts. Dress modestly at the temple and keep to the marked path.
Best season
October to November and March to May, according to operators, who also say it can be walked all year. Autumn and spring have the clearest mountain views; Nagarkot sunrise views are best before cloud builds.
Getting there and away
A taxi from Kathmandu to Nagarkot costs NPR 2,000 to 3,000 one way and takes 1.5 to 2 hours, according to Wikivoyage. Public buses via Bhaktapur cost under NPR 100 and take about two hours. From Changu Narayan a private vehicle takes about one hour to Kathmandu, or a short bus ride reaches Bhaktapur.
Difficulty and fitness
The route is easy: it descends 535 m over 11.7 km, on wide paths and quiet roads. Wear shoes with grip, carry two litres of water, and start by 9 am.
Budget notes
The main cost is the taxi to Nagarkot, NPR 2,000 to 3,000 one way, plus the two entrance fees and lunch. The return from Changu Narayan is shown as a line to check.
Highlights
- Nagarkot at about 2,150 m, a classic Himalayan viewpoint
- Telkot, the midway rest stop, with an optional monastery visit
- Pine and rhododendron forest, terraced fields and Tamang and Newar villages
- Changu Narayan, a hilltop temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Mostly downhill, so easy on the legs
Route map
Route data from OpenStreetMap, not yet checked by our team. Use it for planning, not navigation.
Day by day
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 | $10–$30* | $0–$20* | $0–$10* |
| Mid-range | $60–$100* | $30–$50* | $10–$30* |
| Comfort | $60–$100* | $30–$60* | $20–$50* |
Share a guide, save money
At mid-range, a solo trekker pays about $60–$100; four trekkers sharing one guide and two porters pay about $10–$30 each (68% less at the top of the range).
Breakdown for 2 trekkers sharing
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | $0–$20 | $0–$20 | $0–$20 |
| Guide | — | $10–$30 | $10–$30 |
| Porters | — | $0–$20 | $10–$30 |
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.
Not included
No published price found for: Changu Narayan to Kathmandu by taxi. Totals marked * leave these out; ask your agency. A day hike: no lodging and no permit; viewpoint and temple entrance fees apply but no amounts are published in our sources.
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
Operators give four to five hours and about 14 km. Our map shows 11.7 km with 150 m of climbing and 535 m of descent.
Mostly. Operators describe it as relatively easy downhill with a few gentle ascents, from about 2,150 m at Nagarkot down to the temple hill.
Wikivoyage gives NPR 2,000 to 3,000 one way, taking 1.5 to 2 hours. Public buses via Bhaktapur cost under NPR 100 and take about two hours.
None of our sources lists a park permit. The Nagarkot viewpoint and Changu Narayan temple charge entrance fees; operators include them without giving the amounts.
Yes. Operators drive from Kathmandu about 1.5 hours to Nagarkot for tea and the view before starting the walk.
Sources
Along the trail
Stays, medical help, water and sights on each day of the route.
1. Nagarkot → Changu Narayan
- 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 25 places
- Club Himalaya · Stays · 1,924 m
- Himalayan guest house · Stays · 1,910 m
- Hotel Nagarkot Peak · Stays · 1,904 m
- Hotel Nagarkot Holiday Inn · Stays · 1,907 m
- Hotel Himalayan heart · Stays · 1,904 m
- Hotel Himalyan heart · Stays · 1,903 m
- Hotel Sakura Durbar · Stays · 1,903 m
- Nagarkot Food Home · Stays · 1,910 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