Highlights:
- A fantastic activity to do in Kathmandu if you want to explore nature and go on an adventurous walk\
- Take a quick break from the hustle and bustle of the city and treat yourself to a tranquil gateway
- Witness breathing mountain view from the top of the hill
- If you cannot walk, no worries; opt for the easy and comfortable cable car ride to travel up and down the hill
- Explore an ancient temple called Bhaleshwor Temple at the top of the hill
- No requirement for strong fitness or any hiking experience
- All ages of travelers can do the Chandragiri hiking
- A perfect day activity to do with your friends and family
Chandragiri Day Hiking is one of the fantastic activities to do in Kathmandu if you want to explore nature and go on an adventurous walk. Situated 20 kilometers west of the heart of Kathmandu Valley, Chandragiri is a renowned hill station.
At an elevation of 2,551 meters, it offers a breathtaking mountain panorama, making it a standout destination for hikers. Chandragiri hiking is an easy uphill walk via a forested route. At the top of Chandragiri Hill, there is a temple of Bhaleshwor Mahadev (a Hindu deity).
According to legend, King Prithvi Narayan Shah saw the Kathmandu Valley from here and wished to conquer it, and Bhaleshwor Mahadev granted his wish. Today, this temple holds great importance for the locals
All ages of travelers can do this hike. There is no requirement for strong fitness or any hiking experience. It will be 2 to 3 hours of hiking uphill, so you will definitely get tired and out of breath. So, be ready for that.
If you think you cannot walk uphill, then go for a Chandragiri cable car ride. You can take the ride both ways. The cable car ride allows you to travel up and down the hill easily and comfortably.
What to Expect During the Chandragiri Hike?
The Chandragiri hike offers a wonderful gateway from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. If you want to get away from the city's noise, spend some time in nature, and enjoy tranquility, it is a great option.
The top of the hill offers breathtaking Himalayan mountain views. It will be a distant view, but you can see mountains like Langtang Range (7,234 m/23,734 ft), Gaurishankar (7,134 m/23,405 ft), Ganesh Himal (7,422 m/24,350 ft), Everest (8,849 m/29,032 ft), Kanchenjunga (8,586 m/28,169 ft), and many others.
The Bhaleshwor Temple at the top of the hill is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many locals visit this temple regularly to worship and receive blessings. Foreigners are allowed to explore the temple. Be respectful to locals and open your shoes before entering the temple.
Likewise, there is also a luxury resort situated at the top of the hill with a view tower, swimming pool, children's park, and other amenities. Our Chandragiri hiking package does not include a night stay at the resort, but you can upgrade the package.
Who can do the Chandragiri Hill Day hike?
The Chandragiri hill day hike is ideal for everyone. You can go on this hike alone or with your friends. It is also a great family adventure activity. There is no age limit for Chandragiri hiking. If you love to be in nature, bird chirping, lush forests, fresh air, greenery, etc, you will love this one-day hike near Kathmandu. Not only that but as Kathmandu is a valley, the city is also surrounded by many hills.
These are some of our other famous hiking packages from Kathmandu:
Chandragiri Day Hiking Route:
The Chandragiri hiking route is well-established. The trail ascends through lush forests. You will hike for 2 to 3 hours to reach the top of the hill. Check out our Chandragiri day hiking map below to see how the trail goes. Stay on the marked trail, and do not wander alone deep in the jungle. You may get lost.
Chandragiri day hiking difficulty and altitude sickness:
Chandragiri day hiking is not difficult at all and does not have the risk of altitude sickness. It is a hiking program, so obviously, you will follow an uphill and downhill trail. Anyone in good health can hike Chandragiri. There is no steep climbing involved, and the trail mostly follows a rugged, forested hill route. The highest point reached on the Chandragiri day hike is 2,551 meters (8,369 ft). You will start the hike at around 1,200 meters, so the altitude gain is not high.
Likewise, you will not spend a night at Chandragiri. You will be at the top of the hill for 1-2 hours max. Therefore, there is no risk of altitude sickness.
Best Time to do Chandragiri Hike:
The best time to enjoy the Chandragiri hike is March, April, May, late September, October, and November. These months have fantastic weather and climate to enjoy the hike. There is a very low risk of rainfall. The trail is in good condition.
Simillary, the sky remains clear, so you will get to witness breathtaking mountain views from the top of the hill. We also love Chandragiri day hiking in the winter season (December to February).
If the temperature goes below freezing point, snow falls at the top of the hill. Locals love to visit Chandragiri snowfall, so the crowd is huge. However, you can still enjoy a lovely hike.
June to mid-September is the summer/rainy season. The frequent rain ruins the hiking trail, making it slippery and filled with bugs. Likewise, the hot and humid temperatures make hiking difficult. On the good side, the trail is empty, and the biodiversity is thriving.
Transportation
During the hike, we use a private vehicle according to the group size to drive between the trail and your hotel. One of our experienced and professional drivers will drive for you, making sure the ride is comfortable and safe.
It takes around 45 minutes to drive to/from the trail and hotel. The four-wheeler will be a standard vehicle. You can also upgrade the vehicle to a premium four-wheeler if you want.
Guide
You will do the Chandragiri Hiking with an experienced guide who knows the route well. The guide will be with you from the start to the end of the hike. He will pick you up from your hotel and also drop you back.
You will get a professional, licensed guide who can speak your language. Our guides are friendly and reliable, so you can trust their advice during the hike. They will show you the route up to Chandragiri Hill and also share a lot about the locals and the surrounding area.
Likewise, our guides are also trained to provide first aid in case you get hurt during hiking. You will be in safe hands while hiking with our team. He will be equipped with a basic first aid kit.
Personal expenses
Things like food, drinks, souvenirs, etc, are not covered in our Chandragiri day hiking cost. We recommend hikers to budget USD 15 to USD 25 to spend on the above things. We highly suggest carrying Nepali cash and not relying on card payments. Likewise, you will also need money to tip your tour guide and driver.
Chandragiri Day Hiking Packing:
Follow the below list to pack for Chandragiri day hiking:
- Comfortable clothes (dress in layers so that you can remove clothes as needed)
- Comfy hiking shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Daypack
- SPF, lip balm, tissue paper, hand sanitizer
- Reusable water bottle
- Snacks
- Mobile and Camera
- ID Card, permit, and cash
Chandragiri Day Hike Cost 2024/2025:
The Chandragiri day hiking cost starts at USD 125 per person with us. If you do the hike in a group of 2 or more people, you will get a special discount. Check out the table below for more information about group costs:
No. of Participants |
Price Per Person |
| 1 | USD 100 |
| 2-3 | USD 90 |
| 4-5 | USD 80 |
| 6-10 | USD 70 |
Chandragiri Cable Car Ticket Price:
Below, we have shared the Chandragiri cable car ticket price for Nepalese, SAARC countries, and other nationals. The price is subject to change.
Nationality |
One Way Ticket Price |
Round Ticket Price |
| Nepalese | USD 415 | USD 700 |
| SAARC | USD 644 | USD 1120 |
| Chinese | USD 9 | USD 15 |
| Others | USD 15 | USD 22 |
Why do the Chandragiri day hiking with Trekking Guide Team Adventure?
With the Trekking Guide Team Adventure, you can join the Chandragiri day hiking at any time. We specialize in last-minute bookings for hiking programs around Kathmandu and Pokhara, offering you the flexibility you need. If you're already in either of these cities and have the sudden urge to hike, rest assured that our local team will arrange the hike for you promptly.
We are a team of professionals who love to travel and help foreign tourists in Nepal curate their dream trips. Whether it be a one-day hiking program like Chandragiri hiking or a multiple-day trek, we will be there for you. You will get the best service and price with us. We will assign you a personal drive and a friendly, English-speaking hiking guide. They will pick you up from your hotel and drop you back as well after the hike ends.
Get in touch with us if you have any questions related to Chandragiri day hiking.
