Shivapuri Day Hike
Traversing Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, along with Budanilkantha Temple, Nagi Gumba, and Kopan Monasteries, is the major highlight of this hike. The Shivapuri day hike is considered one of the best hikes among the popular hikes in Nepal.
A day hike to Shivapuri starts with an uphill drive to the entrance gate of Shivapuri National Park. Before reaching there, you would pay a short visit to the Budanilkantha temple.
During the hike, you will discover the trail enriched with wild vegetation, supplying a fresh, chilly breeze and the melodious chirping of birds. Beguiling views of the Himalayan ranges, such as Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, and Langtang Himal, will serve you well while you spend time at Shivapuri peak.
Shivapuri Day Hike Highlights:
- Blend into nature with a friendly guide
- Traversing Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
- Find yourself stranded in nature
- Escape from bustling Kathmandu
- Budhanilkantha Temple
- Traversing Nagi Gumba and Kapan Monastery with a nunnery practicing Buddhism
Sundarijal Day Hike
Sundarijal Day Hike also takes you through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Presenting the varieties of flora and fauna of Shivapuri National Park and nearby hilly areas of Kathmandu, Sundarijal Day Hike is the perfect choice to get away from the chaotic city and bathe under the Sundarijal, which stands for Sundari “beautiful” and Jal “water”, the beautiful water.
It takes a short drive to Shivapuri National Park to begin the Sundarijal Day Hike. The epic hike takes the hiker through valleys full of forest and mountain peaks.
Sundarijal Day Hike Highlights:
- Budanilkantha Temple
- Nagi Gumba
- Tarebhir
- Sundarijal Bird’s-eye view of Kathmandu Valley
Jamacho Day Hike
Jamacho Day Hike is one of the most easily accessible popular day hikes from Kathmandu, where you can visit a small Buddhist shrine on the hill. On top of that, you can picture-perfectly view the landscapes, mountains, and Kathmandu Valley.
Jamacho Day Hike starts with a short drive to Phulbari Gate from Balaju Bypass, or you can walk to Phulbari Gate because it is within walking distance from Balaju. Being part of the Shivapuri-Nagarjuna National Park, you will encounter a nature paradise. You will be free from the hustling and bustling of city life. After 2:30 hours of upward hiking, you will reach Jamacho Peak.
Jamacho Day Hike Highlights:
Jamacho Buddhist shrine
- Majestic views of Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Jugal, Dorje Lakpa, and the Langtang massif
- Enjoy the bird's-eye view of Kathmandu Valley
- Feel like walking with Nature
Indradaha Switzerland Park Day Hike
Hiking to the Indradaha Switzerland Park is preferable for hikers who want to experience a culturally and historically rich destination, along with a scenic view of the Kathmandu Valley and the mountain range from the hilltop. You can explore a pond where Lord Indra took a bath to get rid of the curse of Gautam Rishi. This suggests that it is also a holy pilgrimage site for Hindus, as they believe the goddesses of Bindabasini and Manakamana are situated here.
The Indra Daha, Switzerland park day hike begins in Syuchatar. From there, you will be walking on the trail, adorned with a beautiful forest filled with pine and rhododendron trees, which leads you to Switzerland Park. Your hike further takes you to Indra Daha from the Switzerland Park within half an hour.
Indradaha Swiss Park Highlights:
- A scenic walk in nature
- Amazing sight of Kathmandu Valley and the Mountain ranges
- Historic Place View of the Annapurna Mountain Range
Phulchoki Day Hike
The host of various flora and fauna, the rough trail goes through thick forest resonant with birdsong, and blossomed rhododendron flowers in a wide variety- what more could you wish for a day hike?
Phulchoki Day hike contains all the elements to be the number one day hike among the other day hikes near Kathmandu. Phulchoki Day hike near Kathmandu starts with a drive to Godawari. About 2-3 hours of walking will take you to Phulchowki Dada. Even the short detour from the Godawari Park will take you there. The scenery from Phulchowki hilltop is mesmerizing, and the cool breeze and beautiful mountain range will make you ecstatic.
Phulchoki Day Hike Highlights:
- Phulchoki Hill Station (2783)
- Discover various flora and fauna
- The hike starts and ends at Godawari
- Spectacular views of the valley and the mountain
- Bird watching
- En route, enjoy the rhododendron blossoming
Namobuddha Day Hike
Namobuddha is one of the three major Buddhist Pilgrimage sites of Nepal, besides the renowned Boudhanath and Swayambhunath Stupas. Home of the most sacred Thrangu Tashi Yangtse, Namobuddha is a beautiful hill station near Panauti. The rich architecture, prayer wheels, fluttering prayer flags, chanting monks, and serene views of the vast landscape are even more beautiful. Besides that, the Namobuddha Day hike offers visitors a fascinating, beautiful, natural, peaceful surrounding where you can hear your heartbeat while looking at the snow covering the Himalayan range. The sight of looking at the sunrise amidst the mountain peaks from Namobuddha is breathtaking!
Namodhha is 40 km away from Kathmandu city, after a short drive to Dhulikhel, and about 2-3 hours of walking will lead you to Namobuddha.
Namobuddha Day Hike Highlights:
- Namobuddha Hill Station (1750m)
- Explore Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery.
- Touring the temple-dotted Panauti village.
- Exploring the Newari and Buddhist Culture
- Hiking through alleys, fields, and forests
Kakani Suryachaur Day Hike
Kakani Sauryachaur is a hill station that lies in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park -the major draws here are the Langtang Himalayan Range as well as the entire Likhu Valley of Nuwakot District of central Nepal. Traversing Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, one could see the diverse flora and fauna along the route. If you are lucky, you can see a wonderful view of Mt. Manaslu, 8167 meters, Mt.Ganesh Himal, Mt.Langtang Lirung, Mt.Dorje Lakpa, and the holy Gauri Shanker peak.
Kakani Suryachaur Day Hike can be accessed with a scenic drive to Kakani from Kathmandu. Kakani Suryachaur Day Hike presents an absolutely beautiful experience that lets travelers have both flavors of country life and city life.
Kakani Suryachaur Day Hike Highlights:
- Spectacular views of Mt. Manaslu, Mt.Ganesh Himal
- Shivapuri National Park
- Diverse flora and fauna
- Experience country and city life
Champadevi Day Hike
With an eye-catching view of Himalayan Ranges such as Mt. Everest, Ganesh Himal, Annapurna, and Langtang, all set in verdant forest, the Champadevi Day Hike feels like a beaten path experience walking through the local settlement inhabited by Newari ethnic people of an ancient city, Kritipur, and Taudha Lake to the eminent pilgrimage site of Hindu and Buddhist people.
The beautiful, picturesque trail takes hikers from Kritipur to Champadevi, rewarding them with a less-traveled location after a short drive to Kritipur from Kathmandu.
Champa Devi Day Hike Highlights:
- Champa Devi Hill station (2285m)
- Offers a bird’s-eye view of Kathmandu Valley
- Traversing Newari traditional settlements
- Feels like in nature
Nagarkot Day Hike via Changunarayan Temple
Nagarkot Day Hike via Changunarayan Temple is an excellent day hike on the periphery of the Kathmandu Valley, which aims to have a stunning sunrise view from the Nagarkot viewpoint. This hike is a getaway from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu that lets hikers explore the popular Nagarkot hill station with a majestic Himalayan range, which includes the Mahalangur Range (Everest Range), the Ganesh Himal Range, the Annapurna Range, the Manaslu Range, the Langtang Range, the Rolwaling Range, the Numbur Range, and the Jugal Range.
Nagarkot Day Hike via Changunarayan Temple is an absolute trip for those who wish to get a taste of trekking in Nepal and visit Changunarayan, the oldest Temple of the Kathmandu Valley, which is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage sites, introducing rich architecture with embossed work. One can reach Nagarkot within an hour of a scenic drive from Kathmandu. At 4:30 in the morning, you will start your trek so that you don’t miss the beautiful sunrise, and about 4 to 5 hours of hiking from Nagarkot leads you to Changu Narayan Temple.
Nagarkot Day Hike via Changunarayan Temple Highlights:
- View the sunrise from the Nagarkot hill station
- Traverse Changu Narayan, the oldest Temple of Kathmandu
- Grab a view of 8 Himalayan Ranges out of 13 from Nagarkot
- Introducing Natural and cultural heritage
Nagarkot Day Hike via Sakhu to Changu Narayan
This is also another popular Nagarkot Day Hike package via Sakhu to Changu Narayan Temple. This one-day hike is brimming with natural beauty, which not only lets travelers indulge in nature but also lets travelers catch a beguiling view of 8 Himalayan Ranges of Nepal out of 13 Himalayan Ranges, such as Annapurna Range, Manaslu Range, Ganesh Himal Range, Langtang Range, Jugal Range, Rolwaling Range, Mahalangur Range (Everest Range), and Numbur Range. Besides that, Sankhu town rewards you with its authentic Newari culture, along with rich rituals and traditions.
Nagarkot Day hike via Sankhu to Changu Narayan starts with a scenic drive to Sankhu from Kathmandu. After that, your hike officially begins with walking through the humming jungle to Nagarkot. Traversing through the Changu Narayan, you then wrap up your one-day Hike, entering the colorful alley and chaotic streets of Kathmandu.
Nagarkot Day Hike via Sakhu to Changu Narayan highlights:
- Magnificent views of the Himalayan Ranges
- Scout the traditional Newari village of Sakhu
- Catch the sunrise view, Observe Changu Narayan Temple
- Sankhu, the ancient Newari town of Kathmandu
Best Time for a Day Hike
If you choose the right season, which is during fall and spring, you can easily see the mountain peaks from the Kathmandu Valley. It is September-November and March to April. The one-day hike starts with a drive to the trailhead, from where you will start hiking. You can also check out our Day tour and sightseeing, for a wander around the ancient temple and architectural building engraved with magnificent handiwork and erotic woodcarvings.
Things You Need to Carry
Just because you are hiking for a day doesn’t mean you don’t need anything. No matter how long or short your trial may be, you always need a few things.
- Backpack
- A lightweight fleece jacket or top, Hiking boots
- Water bottle (always keep hydrating) and Food
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
Conclusion:
Nepal Adventure Team is offering various Nepal Tours, including the top 10 best one-day hiking places near Kathmandu. Go check it out by clicking the link mentioned above.
Thank you, and good luck with your one-day hike.
