This 3-day hiking route is the most accessible mountain walk from Kathmandu — no permit required, no long drive to a remote trailhead. The circuit runs northeast from Sundarijal through Shivapuri National Park to Chisapani (2,215m), then east to Nagarkot (2,195m), and south to Dhulikhel before looping back to Kathmandu. Total walking distance: approximately 35 km over three days.
Day 1 begins with a one-hour drive to Sundarijal, where the trail enters Shivapuri National Park through dense oak and rhododendron forest. The climb to Chisapani — roughly 800m of elevation gain over five hours — is steady rather than steep. The ridge-top village rewards the effort with a 180-degree Himalayan panorama at sunset, including Ganesh Himal (7,422m) and Langtang Lirung (7,227m) to the north.
Day 2 follows the ridge eastward to Nagarkot — roughly six hours of walking through forest and terraced farmland. Nagarkot sits at 2,195m on the eastern rim of the valley, renowned for sunrise over the Himalayas with a view stretching from Dhaulagiri in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east on a clear morning.
Day 3 descends the southern ridge to Dhulikhel, a medieval Newar market town at 1,550m, before a one-hour drive back to Kathmandu. A licensed guide and porter are included throughout.
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No trekking permit is required for the Kathmandu Valley circuit. A Shivapuri National Park entry fee applies on Day 1 and is included in the package price.
The trail is graded easy-to-moderate. Day 1 involves 800m of ascent over 5 hours; Day 2 is a long ridge walk (6 hours) with minimal elevation change; Day 3 is a 3-hour descent. Comfortable walking 5–6 hours per day on uneven paths is sufficient. No technical skills required.
Night 1 is in a local teahouse lodge at Chisapani with private rooms and a set dinner menu. Night 2 is in a hotel in Nagarkot with en-suite rooms and breakfast. Both are included in the package price.
October to December and March to April are ideal — clear skies, stable temperatures and good trail conditions. Monsoon (June–September) brings leeches and cloud cover. January and February are cold at night but offer the sharpest mountain visibility.
Getaway Nepal Adventure (P.) Ltd.
Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 98510 38 908
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