Champadevi Day Hike incorporates hiking through the lush jungle near Kathmandu, seeing Kathmandu from a hilltop, having an eye-pleasing view of the Himalayan ranges, walking through local settlements of Kirtipur, enjoying a warm lunch at Hattiban Himalayan Height Resort, serving fish of Taudaha, and being blessed by the sacred place as Champadevi Temple.
When you are in Kathmandu and have a spare day without proper planning, you can search for hiking options in Nepal. Champadevi Day Hike is one of the options for hiking near Kathmandu. The Nepal Adventure team has been working in the field of travel and trekking. There are many packages related to hiking, touring, trekking, peak climbing, sightseeing, and jungle safaris that can also be customized as per travelers’ requirements.
Champadevi Temple
Champadevi (Devi is goddess Kali) is a pilgrimage site of Hindu and Buddhist people located at a hilltop with an elevation of 2285 m/ 7497 ft. It lies in the southern area of the Kathmandu valley. The area is not well developed or has a stored monument of the Champadevi temple, rather a simple temple established with beliefs and values.
Currently, the temple is open with no roof, with a few statues, and the path is decorated with prayer flags and one shrine. Especially, during the full moon day of Baishakh (Lunar Calendar) around April-May, the Champadevi temple has a festival that is greatly celebrated by locals and devotees.
Kirtipur
Kirtipur is a historic town that has played a vital role in Nepal's history. Besides, Kirtipur is highly inhabited by the Newari ethnic group of Nepal, and the alleys of Kirtipur highly reflect their culture, beliefs, and lifestyle. Usually, people visit Kirtipur to escape the chaos of Kathmandu city and enjoy the view of the valley along with traditional Newari cuisine.
The town is entirely built on a hill that creates a unique charm and attracts people. Being a small town, Kirtipur has delightful monuments, such as Bagh Bhairab, Uma Maheshwar, Chlancho Stupa, and Nagar Mandap Shri Kirti Bihar. It also has Tribhuvan University, which creates laughter and jolliness in the streets among young students.
Taudaha Lake
Taudaha is a small lake on the outskirts of Kathmandu, where Taudaha means “Ta” is a snake, and “Daha” is a lake in the Newari language.
It is believed that Taudaha Lake was formed when the Buddhist character Manjushree cut the hill, drained off the water in the valley, and formed the Kathmandu Valley. When the lake water was drained number of Nagas, mythological creatures of Half-human and half-serpent, were left homeless. To calm the Nagas, locals built underwater places. The King of Nagas also promised to protect locals around Taudaha on the condition that the tranquility of the lake is never disrupted. Locals avoid swimming and fishing, and visitors cherish the water life of life.
Guide for Champadevi Day Hike
A guide will lead you to the Champadevi day hike. The number of guides depends on the number of individuals registered for the Champadevi 1 Day Hike. Each group of 4-5 pax is assigned one guide.
The guide with a Nepal Government-certified license is only assigned to lead the Champadevi 1 Day Hike. Additionally, the guide is also trained in first aid and eco-tourism. Usually, an English-speaking guide is available, but on request, Chinese and other language-speaking guides can be made available. A guide will lead as well as inform you about the locality, culture, rules, and importance. Overall, the guide will have the features of friendliness, leadership, communication expertise, and a jolly nature.
Transportation at Champadevi Day Hike
Early morning, after you have your breakfast, the guide assigned by the Nepal Adventure team will come to pick you up for the hike. You will have a short drive from your pick-up point to Machhegaun, Kirtipur. Similarly, you will be driving back to your station from Chalanakhel. A private vehicle will be used for your transportation, which may be a car or van, as per the group size.
Food and drinks on Champadevi Day Hike
Lunch will be provided during the Champadevi day hike. Lunch includes typical Nepali food: Dhaal(lentil soup), Bhat (Rice), Tarkari (Vegetable/Chicken curry), and pickle.
A Mineral water bottle is handed to you before the hike.
Additionally, around 40 species of birds have been recorded; 17 are residents, 2 are summer migrants, and 21 are winter migrants. Taudaha is a special place for bird watching.
Highlights
- Champadevi Temple- a sacred place in a deserted area
- 180-degree view of the Himalayan Ranges: Langtang, Ganesh, Gauri Shankar
- Kirtipur- a town with ancient monuments and Newari culture
- Taudaha Lake- a clean water lake for bird watching
- Lunch at the amazing Hattiban Himalayan Height resort, 1800m/5906 ft
- Off the beaten trail
- Led by a professional, experienced, and friendly guide
