The Chisapani Nagarkot hike is a two- or three-day walk along the north-eastern rim of the Kathmandu Valley. It starts at Sundarijal, about an hour from Kathmandu, and climbs through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park to Chisapani. The next day follows the ridge to Nagarkot. The highest point is Borlang Bhanjyang, at about 2,430m, so altitude is not a concern.
This guide covers each stage, the park permit, when to go, where to stay and whether you need a guide. It is for anyone looking for a real hike close to Kathmandu, before or after a longer trek.
What’s Inside This Guide
- Chisapani Nagarkot Hike at a Glance
- Route, Stage by Stage
- Two Days or Three?
- Permits and Entry Fees
- Best Time for the Chisapani Nagarkot Hike
- Where to Stay
- Do You Need a Guide?
- Getting to Sundarijal and Back
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Planning Guides
Chisapani Nagarkot Hike at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Start | Sundarijal, about 1,350m, north-east of Kathmandu |
| Overnight stops | Chisapani (about 2,165m) and Nagarkot (about 2,175m) |
| Highest point | Borlang Bhanjyang, about 2,430m |
| Duration | 2 days of walking; 3 days with a sunrise morning and an easy return |
| Distance | Roughly 25–30 km over the two main walking days |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate; Day 1 climbs about 1,000m |
| Permit | Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry, NPR 1,000 for foreign visitors |
| Best months | October to April; clearest views October to December |
Altitudes on this route vary between sources by 50–100m, because villages spread across slopes. We give rounded figures.
Route, Stage by Stage
Day 1: Sundarijal to Chisapani
This is the hard day: roughly 12–16 km and four to six hours. The trail starts beside the large water pipe and waterfall above Sundarijal, on concrete and stone steps. At the army checkpoint, you enter Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and show your permit.
The climb continues to Mulkharka, a Tamang village at about 1,895m with tea shops and views back over the valley. Above it, the trail climbs through oak, pine and rhododendron forest to Borlang Bhanjyang, at about 2,430m. From the pass, a short descent of about 30–45 minutes brings you to Chisapani.
Day 2: Chisapani to Nagarkot
Day 2 is longer but easier underfoot. The ridge route covers roughly 11–12 km in six to seven hours, through farmland, forest and small villages. A longer variant via Jhule runs to 20 km or more. On a clear morning, Chisapani looks north to Langtang and Ganesh Himal before you set off.
Nagarkot sits about 32 km east of Kathmandu. Its hotels and homestays are spread along the ridge, so the exact end point depends on where you stay.
Day 3: sunrise and the way back
Most people stay a second night for the Nagarkot sunrise. Afterwards, you can drive straight back to Kathmandu, or walk down to Changu Narayan in about three hours. Changu Narayan is a UNESCO-listed temple with a small entry fee.
Two easy stops are also possible on the drive back. Rani Jhula is a 250m suspension bridge, about 20 minutes’ walk downhill from the road. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is on the way to Kathmandu.
Two Days or Three?
Fit hikers can finish in two days, with a night in Chisapani and a drive back from Nagarkot in the evening. You miss the Nagarkot sunrise, though, which is the main reason many people come.
Three days is more relaxed. You arrive in Nagarkot with time for sunset, see the sunrise the next morning, and still reach Kathmandu by mid-afternoon. For most visitors, the third day is worth it.
Permits and Entry Fees
- Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park: NPR 1,000 for foreign visitors, checked at the army post above Sundarijal
- After Chisapani: no further permit needed for the ridge to Nagarkot
- Changu Narayan (optional): a small entry fee, around NPR 300–350 for foreigners
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square (optional): NPR 1,800 (about $15) for foreigners
- Rani Jhula bridge (optional): a small fee of about NPR 20
The NPR 1,000 park fee comes from recent operator and travel-guide sources, while one official tourism page still lists a lower figure. Carry some extra cash in case it changes.
Best Time for the Chisapani Nagarkot Hike
- October to December: the clearest mountain views, with dry trails and cool nights
- December to February: still clear on many days, but mornings and nights are cold
- March to May: rhododendrons in flower, though haze often hides the peaks
- June to September: monsoon rain, cloud and leeches; possible, but views are rare
Where to Stay
Chisapani is small, with simple lodges and homestays. Rooms are basic, usually with shared bathrooms. Nagarkot has far more choice, from family homestays to larger hotels along the ridge.
Book ahead on autumn weekends, when Kathmandu residents come up for the sunrise. Bring warm layers for the evenings, because rooms are rarely heated.
Do You Need a Guide?
Many hikers walk this route on their own, using offline maps. The main trails are clear, but there are many junctions on Day 2, and paths can be confusing in fog.
A guide removes the route-finding, handles the park checkpoint and books your rooms. It also helps if you want the quieter variants or a walk down to Changu Narayan.
Getting to Sundarijal and Back
Sundarijal is about an hour from central Kathmandu, depending on traffic. Local buses and microbuses run from Ratna Park, or you can take a taxi or private car.
From Nagarkot, the drive back to Kathmandu takes around one and a half hours. Buses run via Bhaktapur, but a private vehicle makes stops at Rani Jhula or Bhaktapur much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you walk regularly. Day 1 is a steady climb of about 1,000m on steps, which feels hard if you rarely hike. After that, the walking is easier. There is no technical terrain and no altitude risk.
Sometimes, but only as a distant peak far to the east on very clear days. Langtang, Ganesh Himal and Gaurishankar are much easier to see. Don’t plan the trip around an Everest view.
Not the full route. Sundarijal to Chisapani alone takes four to six hours, then you would need a long drive back on rough roads. The usual minimum is one night in Chisapani.
Don’t count on one between Sundarijal and Nagarkot. Bring enough Nepali rupees for the park fee, meals, drinks and any optional entry fees.
The route is busy on weekends and generally safe, but parts of the forest are quiet. Tell someone your plan, avoid walking late in the day, and consider a guide if you are unsure of the route.
Plan the Hike With Us
Our Sundarijal Chisapani Nagarkot 3-Day Hiking Tour costs $199 to $319 per person. It includes private transport, two nights in local homestays, meals, park entry for you and your guide, and a licensed guide. Message us on WhatsApp with your dates, and we typically reply within 12 hours.
Related Planning Guides
- Sundarijal Chisapani Nagarkot 3-Day Hiking Tour — our guided version with transport and homestays
- Chitwan National Park Safari Guide — another easy add-on to a Nepal trip
- Things to Do in Nepal Without Trekking — more ideas for spare days in Kathmandu