The Sundarijal Chisapani Nagarkot 3-Day Hiking Tour is a 3-day, 2-night guided hike on the Kathmandu Valley rim, priced from $199 to $319 per person. You walk from Sundarijal (about 1,350m) through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park to Chisapani, and then along the ridge to Nagarkot. Before Chisapani, you cross Borlang Bhanjyang, the highest point at about 2,430m.
Day one is the hardest, because it climbs steep stone steps through oak, pine and rhododendron forest. After that, the trail follows farmland and Tamang villages along the ridge. Then, on clear mornings, both Chisapani and Nagarkot look north to Langtang, Ganesh Himal and Gaurishankar.
Since the hike stays below 2,500m, altitude sickness is not a concern. As a result, it suits first-time hikers, or anyone with a few spare days in Kathmandu.
We’re a Kathmandu-based company, registered since 2018, and we handle the private transport, homestays, park entry and guide for you. Check the group prices or message us on WhatsApp.
| Trip Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Tour Name | Sundarijal Chisapani Nagarkot Hike |
| Duration | 2 nights / 3 days |
| Start / End | Kathmandu hotel pickup / Thamel drop-off |
| Highest Point | About 2,430m at Borlang Bhanjyang |
| Overnight Stops | Chisapani (about 2,165m) and Nagarkot (about 2,175m) |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate, 4–7 hours a day |
| Accommodation | Local homestays (twin-sharing) |
| Meals | Day 1: lunch, dinner · Day 2: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Day 3: breakfast, lunch |
| Permits | Shivapuri park entry, included for you and your guide |
| Transport | Private vehicle both ways; optional Rani Jhula and Bhaktapur stops |
| Mountain Views | Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Dorje Lakpa, Gaurishankar |
| Best Season | October to April |
| Group Size | 1 to 12 |
Kathmandu → Sundarijal → Mulkharka → Borlang Bhanjyang → Chisapani → Nagarkot → Rani Jhula Bridge → Bhaktapur (optional stop) → Kathmandu
This is the most complete short hike from Kathmandu. In three days you get national park forest, a ridge walk and a mountain sunrise, with optional stops at Rani Jhula and Bhaktapur. There are no flights and no long bus rides.
The first day climbs about 1,000m from Sundarijal to Borlang Bhanjyang, then drops to Chisapani. The second day is longer but gentler, following the ridge through farmland to Nagarkot. On the last morning, you can stop at the 250m Rani Jhula suspension bridge on the drive back.
Unlike a day trip to Nagarkot, you watch the mountains from two viewpoints and walk the ridge between them. It is also a good warm-up before a longer trek.
The hike is easy to moderate, but Day 1 is a steady climb of about 1,000m, much of it on stone steps. Day 2 means six to seven hours on your feet. Homestays are simple family homes, often with shared bathrooms. Mountain views depend on the weather and are often hazy from April to September.
Transport
A private vehicle picks you up from your Kathmandu hotel at around 8am. The drive to Sundarijal takes about an hour, depending on traffic. On Day 3, the vehicle picks you up in Nagarkot after breakfast. You reach Kathmandu at around 2 or 3pm, depending on stops and traffic.
Permits and entry fees
The trail enters Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park at the army checkpoint above Sundarijal. The park entry fee is included for you and your guide, and your guide handles it at the gate. No permit is needed after Chisapani.
Optional stops on Day 3
If time allows and you’d like to, the car stops on the way back at no extra vehicle cost. Entry fees for these stops are paid by you:
Best season
October to April is the best time for this hike, and October to December usually brings the clearest mountain views. In winter, from December to February, mornings and nights in Chisapani and Nagarkot are cold, so bring warm layers. Spring brings rhododendrons in flower, although haze often hides the peaks. During the monsoon, from June to September, rain, cloud and leeches are common, but the hike is still possible.
per person
Recommended
per person
per person
Best Value
per person
Altitude: 2,165m | Drive: About 1 hr | Hike: 4–6 hrs | Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Homestay, Chisapani
We pick you up from your hotel at around 8am and drive to Sundarijal, at about 1,350m. From here, the trail climbs concrete and stone steps beside the water pipe and waterfall to the park checkpoint. Your guide handles the park entry here. The climb continues to Mulkharka, a Tamang village at about 1,895m, then through forest to Borlang Bhanjyang, at about 2,430m. From the pass, it is a short walk down to Chisapani.
Altitude: 2,175m | Hike: 6–7 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Homestay, Nagarkot
On a clear morning, start with the view north to Langtang and Ganesh Himal from Chisapani. The trail then follows the ridge east through forest, terraced fields and small villages, with gentle ups and downs. It is the longest day, but not steep. You reach Nagarkot in the late afternoon, in time for sunset if the sky is clear.
Altitude: 2,175m | Walk: Short sunrise walk | Drive: About 1.5 hrs plus stops | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Depending on the season, your guide takes you on an early walk to watch the sunrise over the Himalaya. After breakfast at your homestay, you check out and start the drive back. Lunch is on the way. On the way, the car can stop at Rani Jhula, a 250m suspension bridge 20 minutes’ walk downhill from the road. If time allows, you can also stop at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, paying the entry fee yourself. You reach Kathmandu at around 2 or 3pm, with drop-off in Thamel or at your Thamel hotel.
Planning the details? Read our Chisapani Nagarkot hike guide, covering the route stage by stage, permits, seasons and where to stay. For more ideas, see things to do in Nepal without trekking.
It is a 3-day, 2-night guided hike from Sundarijal through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park to Chisapani and Nagarkot. The highest point is about 2,430m. It includes private transport, homestays, meals, park entry and a guide, from $199 to $319 per person.
Easy to moderate. Day 1 climbs about 1,000m, mostly on steps, over four to six hours. Day 2 is six to seven hours along the ridge, with gentle ups and downs. Anyone who walks regularly can do it.
Very unlikely. The highest point is about 2,430m, and you sleep at around 2,165m and 2,175m. Altitude sickness usually starts higher, above about 2,500m.
Only on very clear days, and only as a distant peak far to the east. Langtang, Ganesh Himal and Gaurishankar are much easier to see. October to December gives the best chance of clear views.
No. Most hikers carry a light daypack, since you only need clothes for two nights. If you’d like a porter, we can arrange one at extra cost.
Simple family homes with twin rooms and home-cooked meals. Bathrooms are often shared, and hot showers or charging may cost a little extra. Nights at Chisapani and Nagarkot can be cold from November to February.
Yes, if time allows and you’d like to. The car stops at no extra cost, but you pay the Durbar Square entry fee yourself, NPR 1,800 (about $15) for foreign visitors. You can also stop at the Rani Jhula suspension bridge, a 20-minute walk from the road.
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip, a light daypack, a warm jacket and layers for cold mornings, a rain jacket, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. A headtorch helps for the sunrise walk. Bring some cash for drinks, snacks and the optional entry fees.
Yes. After Bhaktapur, we can add other Kathmandu Valley sites, such as Boudhanath or Pashupatinath, if time allows. We can also connect the hike to a longer trek.
