Kathmandu-Nagarkot-Dhulikhel-Panauti Hike

duration 7 days
from usd 960 All inclusive
difficulty Easy
best season Aug-May
max altitude From 4,600 feet at Kathmandu to 7,201 feet at Nagarkot

trip overview

Trek through forests and hills, walk in the countryside, and visit ancient temples and monuments in this short but comprehensive trip around Kathmandu.

After walking in a Himalayan subtropical forest on the first day of the trip, we move towards the highest point in our travel on the second day to see the view from up top. Then we walk downhill passing through towns, villages, farmlands and ancient monuments back to Kathmandu. You will see why Kathmandu is such a popular tourist destination after getting a taste of the valley in this comprehensive trip.

Detailed itinerary

day 01
Arrival.

We will pick you up from Tribhuvan International Airport as you land into Kathmandu (4,600 feet) and take you to your hotel.
- Accommodation: Hotel
day 02
Drive to Sundarijal. Then trek to Chisapani (6,939ft).

A private vehicle will take you to Sundarijal which is approximately nine miles northeast from Kathmandu. Sundarijal, with its waterfalls and rivers, is a holy site for Hindus. It lies in the bottom of Shivapuri National Park and this is where we begin our trek. After entering through the gate of the national park, we will hike uphill through the forest. There are villages and shops at regular intervals where we could rest or drink tea.Plenty of rivulets cross our path on our way up and if you are lucky you could see a wild animal or bird like monkeys, squirrels, deer and leopards. We reach Chisapani in five hours. You will be treated with magnificent views of the Himalayas from Chisapani.
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 03
Trek to Nagarkot (7,201ft).

With the Himalayas in the backdrop, we embark for Nagarkot after breakfast. The trail passes through forests like the previous day but the landscape in different as you will be trekking on top of hills not toward the top. After about three hours, we will stop for lunch at either Jhule or Chauki Bhanjyang. Then we leave for Nagarkot which takes about four hours more. We walk past several villages on our way till we finally reach Nagarkot. This hill station is one of the most popular destinations around Kathmandu and is renowned for beautiful scenes of sunrise and sunset.
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
day 04
Trek to Dhulikhel (5,085ft).

You might want to wake up early to view the sunrise. We will do six hours of trekking today so we begin after breakfast. With the Himalayas in the backdrop, we walk in the countryside for hours till we reach Dhulikhel in the evening. At Dhulikhel, you can visit temples or local markets to spend your evening.
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
day 05
Trek to Namobuddha (5,741ft).

We begin our day with an uphill climb to the Kali Temple and then downhill towards the village of Kavre. We walk in the hills for some more till we reach Phulbari. Further ahead on the top of a hill is the Buddhist monastery of Namobuddha. The entire hike takes about six hours.
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
day 06
Trek to Panauti (4,931ft). The drive to Kathmandu.

It takes not more than three hours to reach Panauti from Namobuddha. We begin by walking down to the old agricultural village of Sankhu. We walk through the fields in the relatively flat land till Panauti. This ancient town located at the confluence of the Roshi River and the Punyamati River is rich in culture and you can visit the ancient temples and building here.We will drive you back to Kathmandu in the evening in a private vehicle. It takes less than two hours to reach your hotel.
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
day 07
Departure.

We will drop you to the airport and bid you goodbye.
- Meal: Breakfast

What's Included

Receive you from and drop you to the airport or hotel in our company vehicle.
Stay at a three-star hotel in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis. Breakfast is on us.
Sightseeing around Kathmandu in a private vehicle with our guide. All entrance fees will be paid.
Stay at guesthouses and hotels during the trek on a twin-sharing basis. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners will also be taken care of.
Local government-licensed guides.
Porters (one each for a pair of travellers) and local support staff to help you trek.
Fees for Shivapuri National Park entering permit and Trekkers’ Information Management System card
We will lend you a down jacket and a sleeping bag for throughout the trek.
A duffel bag, a sun hat and a t-shirt as a souvenir from us.
A traditional Nepali feast with cultural shows as a farewell dinner.
All tourist fees, government charges and other official expenses throughout the trip.

What's Not Included

Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
Additional stay before, during or after the set itinerary.
Charges at airports or other areas for excess luggage.
Alcohol, hot or cold drinks, bottled water, and other snacks.
Phone calls, internet, laundry, additional porters, and other personal expenses.
Travel insurance. (It is compulsory and covers emergency rescue and evacuation.)
International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
Visa fees for entering Nepal.
Trekking equipment.
Other expenses not mentioned in “Included in cost” list.

Accommodation during the Trip

In Kathmandu, you will stay in a three-star hotel while you will be staying at standard guesthouses during your travel. There will be electricity, internet, laundry and hot showers in all of the places you stay. You will have to share your room with a fellow traveller in our typical package. Single supplement will be served on request and will cost an additional USD 50.Also note that single rooms is easily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower elevation but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will I be staying during the trip?

In Kathmandu, you will stay in a three-star hotel while you will be staying at standard guesthouses during your travel. There will be electricity, internet, laundry and hot showers in all of the places you stay. You will have to share your room with a fellow traveller in our typical package. At some destinations, especially in the Himalayas, you will have to stay in a tented camp. If you want to make separate living arrangements, talk to us beforehand and we can arrange single rooms for additional $250. Some guesthouses at very high altitudes and remote places may not have attached washrooms or single rooms.
And food?

All your major meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included in your trekking package except in Kathmandu (where only breakfast is provided for). You will be served local food at all places we dine but you can order anything you like on the menu which you will have to pay for yourself. You will have a range of options so there won’t be a problem if you are a vegetarian or vegan. We make sure you get healthy and hygienic food throughout your travel.
How much help do I get during the trek?

Our guides and porters always put your safety and comfort first. We have English-speaking guides who take you to all major attractions throughout the travel and are happy to answer all your queries. We have one porter assigned each for two travellers and you will have to pay separately if you want to hire extra porters. We have local support staff in all villages and camps you reach to assist you in any way possible.
What happens in case of injuries and emergencies?

The guides always carry a professional first aid kit with them to treat with minor injuries. We also have health professionals at villages and camps along the journey. The travel insurance you take (which is compulsory) covers any and all emergency rescue and evacuation.
What if I want to do something beyond the itinerary?

We are always happy to accommodate your wishes during the travel so far as they do not conflict with schedules and other travellers. If you have special plans, you can talk to us beforehand so that we can arrange a customised trip for you.
What equipment do I bring?

You have to bring all travel equipment yourself. Please see the equipment section for a standard list of required equipment prepared by our guides. Most of the items are easily available in Kathmandu in case if you miss any and we also lend you some of the gears for the duration of the trip for a small fee.
Will I get to communicate with the outer world?

There is internet and telephone connection in all of our stops for the day throughout the journey. You will be able to call back home or post your pictures on Facebook everyday.
What travel documents do I need?

As soon as you land into Kathmandu, we take care of all your travel documents required during your trip. You just need to bring your passport and a copy of your travel insurance. Tourist fees and permits to enter certain areas will be arranged for by Mountain Kick.
Which is best time of the year to travel?

Most of the trekking routes are open throughout the year but September through to December and March to May are the best months to travel.
How much money do I need to carry during the trip?

Around $50 will be enough to buy you lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. During your travel, you can get by with around $25 a day. But it depends on how much you want to spend. Due to the exchange rate and predominantly rural economy of Nepal, things are pretty cheap in Nepal.
Can I use my credit cards?

Almost all international credit cards are accepted in Nepal. However, not all places, especially during your travel, accept them. There may be a fee involved in processing your card.
Where will I get a visa to come to Nepal?

You can obtain a visa at your home country through Nepal’s embassy or consular office. But you can easily get a visa upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. You just need two passport-size photographs. A tourist visa with multiple entry for 30 days costs $40 while the same for 90 days costs $100.
How do I book a tour?

Click Book Now to enter your details and we shall contact you. You can contact us directly for any further information or to prepare a customized itinerary for you. For payment information, see our Terms and Conditions.

Essential Trip Information

The trek should not trouble a normal healthy person. But that does not mean it is a cake walk. A little bit of stamina and determination should do the trick.
Please make sure you take a travel insurance at home before arriving here. It is mandatory and you cannot take it in Nepal. Your insurance agent will know which insurance plan suits your travel.
It is advisable that you free up a few days before and after your trip schedule. For reasons beyond our control like flight delays, accidents and natural hazards, the itinerary may have to be altered.
Please inform us and our guides if you have any medical condition that might affect your trip. Please consult your doctor beforehand for any precautions you need to take and always carry medicines if you need them. However, our guides and local support staff have been trained in basic medical intervention and your travel insurance covers any emergency rescue or evacuation.
You may decide to alter your itinerary to some degree as long as there are no time constraints and everyone consents, if you are travelling in a group. Talk to us before embarking on the trip or you may also talk to our guides to see if we can arrange something. One thing we have learned from mountaineering all these years is however good you plan your journey, there are bound to be some improvisations to make our experience richer.

Packing Checklist

Warm Jacket
Waterproof jacket or poncho
Mid-weight fleece or sweater
2-3 Hiking shirts -1-2 pair Hiking pants
2-3 Non-hiking shirts
1 Long-sleeve shirt
1-2 Pairs non-hiking pants, shorts or skirts
2-3 Pairs warm socks
Warm hat
Sun hat
Towel (preferably quick dry)
Day pack
Hiking shoes
Sandals
Sunglasses
Water bladder or bottle
Headlamp or flashlight
Sun screen
Lip balm
Personal medications
Camera

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As one of the core guiding principles for Mountain Kick, we always give back to the mountain community in any way we can as a means of gratitude. The people who live in the Himalayas and share their homes with us deserve to have all their little problems fixed which seem very basic for outsiders but are commonplace in rural Nepal. The people lack proper access to healthcare, sanitation and education but a little effort from travellers goes on a long way to solve these issues. Mountain Kick has made it its corporate social responsibility to help improve the living standards of the local community. We make donations to their cause, organize social campaigns and programs and also have a few trips designed to mix a little volunteer work in your holiday.