Kathmandu Valley Trek
Kathmandu Valley Trek
Kathmandu Valley Trek
4 Days Starting and ending in Kathmandu
Visiting: Kathmandu/Sundarijal to Chisapani trek, Nagarkot, Nagarkot to Bhaktapur trek, Bhaktapur - Kathmandu
Tour operator:
Tour code:
HNAK
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
12-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Travel to Nepal and enjoy a four-day adventure through some of the spectacular countryside surrounding Kathmandu. Trek from Shivapuri to Bhaktapur and meet with monks, watch a spectacular sunrise and explore medieval towns - always in view of the vast Himalayas. Along the way, stay in simple yet comfortable teahouses, and get an up close look at Nepalese life.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu/Sundarijal To Chisapani Trek
Location: Kathmandu/Sundarijal to Chisapani trek
Accommodation: Teahouse
Namaste! Welcome to Nepal.
If you arrive on Day 1 of the tour you will need to be at Hotel Marshyangdi (listed in your Essential Trip Information) at 08:30 a.m. ready to leave for the hike.
If you have arrived at any time before departure day please make your way to the Hotel Marshyangdi by 17:00 the evening prior to Day 1 so that we can register that you have arrived and answer any questions you have about the trip.
We will drive to the outskirts of Kathmandu to Sundarijal (aprrox 1 hour). Our walk starts with a long flight of steps - bound to get the heart rate up quickly and you will need good fitness to complete it comfortably! At the end of the steps we follow the water pipeline to the entrance of the Shivapuri National Park. Passing the water reservoir, continue on more stairs to the strung-out village of Mulkharka. After a simple lunch at one of the wayside shops, we go past an abandoned school and into the woods. The shade will bring some welcome relief as will the easing of the gradient! Soon, with weather Gods on your side, we'll get our first glimpse of the mountains. Emerging out of the woods, we find ourselves in the village of Chisapani.
Total trekking time is approximately 5 hours, depending on weather conditions and fitness.
Experience typical "teahouse" culture, spending the night in one of the basic guesthouses in Chisapani.
Trek Distance: 12 km
Approximate Duration: 5 hours
Ascent: 1100 m
Descent: 310 m
Included Activities:
-
Day 2: Nagarkot
Location: Nagarkot
Accommodation: Hotel
Hike through sporadic settlements, lush vegetation, dirt tracks and uphill and downhills to the favourite escapade of Kathmandu denizens, Nagarkot (7 hrs approx). Enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Himalayas.
Its a long walking day today through beautiful countryside including Shivapuri National Park. The park is home to over 300 species of birds as well as rarely sighted bears, leopards and several species of deer.
Trek Distance: 23 km
Approximate Duration: 8 hours
Ascent: 870 m
Descent: 1130 m
Included Activities:
-
Day 3: Nagarkot To Bhaktapur Trek
Location: Nagarkot to Bhaktapur trek
Accommodation: Hotel
Relish the sunrise view over the distant Himalayas for which Nagarkot has built up its reputation. After breakfast we hike down hill to visit the oldest temple in Nepal, Changu Narayan (aprox. 4 hours). Legend suggests a temple has been on this spot since 325AD. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is revered by Hindu's all over Nepal.
Continue by public bus the scenic route through terraced paddy fields, villages and pine forests (approx 30 min) to the medieval town of Bhaktapur. It's another good walking day, but there is time this afternoon to wander the cobble stone streets of this 'city of devotees'. Try a delicious bowl of home made yoghurt, a local specialty before relaxing and watching the comings and goings in ancient Durbar Square. A great place to end the day.
Trek Distance: 14.5 km
Approximate Duration: 4 hours
Ascent: 172 m
Descent: 593 m
Included Activities:
-
-
-
-
-
Day 4: Bhaktapur - Kathmandu
Location: Bhaktapur - Kathmandu
You have a free morning for further exploration of Bhaktapur before returning to Kathmandu (approx. 45mins). Your Inside-Out Kathmandu adventure ends in Kathmandu at approximately 1:00 pm. No accommodation is included tonight.
Be sure to check out an Urban Adventure in Kathmandu if you have time at the end of your trip.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
Guesthouse (1 nightt), Hotel (1 night), Teahouse (1 night) -
Sundarijal to Chisapani trek
-
Shivapuri National Park
-
Bhaktapur - Changu Narayan Temple
-
Bhaktapur - Leader-led walking tour
-
Bhaktapur - Durbar Square
-
Nagarkot to Bhaktapur trek
-
Meals
-
Changunarayan Temple to Bhaktapur by public bus
-
Nagarkot to Changunarayan Temple trek
What's Not Included
-
Tipping and Gratuities
-
International Travel
Included Activities
- Sundarijal to Chisapani trek
- Shivapuri National Park
- Bhaktapur - Changu Narayan Temple
- Bhaktapur - Leader-led walking tour
- Bhaktapur - Durbar Square
- Nagarkot to Bhaktapur trek
Transport
- LUGGAGE LIMITS:
- Domestic flights in Nepal have strict weight limits - 10kg of check-in luggage and 5kg of carry-on hand luggage per person is included with your flight ticket. Excess baggage (up to 5kg per person only) will be charged at your own expense.
- TRAVEL BETWEEN KATHMANDU & POKHARA:
- On itineraries that include road travel between these destinations, past travellers have often decided to fly this route independently to avoid the long overland journey (200km, approx 6+ hours). The flight takes around 35mins. Should you decide to fly, this will be at your own expense with no refunds for road travel available.
- ROAD TRAVEL:
- Roadworks and infrastructure projects can cause significant delays on major roads within cities and highways between destinations. Road travel can also be disrupted due to demonstrations and bandhs (strikes) without warning. Major roadworks are currently ongoing in and around Kathmandu and the roads to Chitwan National Park. Delays, heavy traffic, poor road conditions and dust are a reality of road travel in Nepal.
- MONSOON:
- The monsoon season is from June to September and weather conditions can disrupt travel during this time due to flooding and landslides. Disruption of air travel and airport closures are also possible. Be prepared that the itinerary may need to change at short notice.
Accommodation
- TEAHOUSES:
- Accommodation at local lodges - better known as teahouses - are simple but comfortable. Toilets and washing facilities are shared and rudimentary, and the food is plain and filling. In a teahouse, travellers are provided with small twin share rooms with twin beds, mattresses and pillows. At times, in high seasons, and in places where there are limited number of teahouses, travellers may have to make do with dormitories. In some places, teahouses don't have access to electricity, depending on solar powered lighting instead. In more remote regions, teahouses don't have running water and toilets can mean just a hole in the ground. Hot shower facilities are available in some teahouses for a price but occasionally a hot shower means a bucket of hot water, enough to wash your body. Electricity to charge devices as well as WiFi is usually for an additional fee when available.
Important Information
- 1. This trip starts in Kathmandu on day 1 at approx 8.30am and finishes in Kathmandu on day 4 at approx 1.00pm. Please meet at our Kathmandu office the day prior to the tour start at 5.00pm for a pre-departure meeting.
- 2. This is a join-in trip rather than a scheduled group trip, so if other travellers have booked on the same date you will share included activities.
- 3. If you have booked on this trip by yourself and without other travel companions, then you will be assigned a single room on this trip on Days 2 & 3. Other nights will be in shared accommodation.
- 4. This trip was previously called Inside-Out Kathmandu.
- 5. Please be aware that in the event of an emergency evacuation, Intrepid does not have control over which helicopter service may be used. Some helicopters are not in regular use with Intrepid and have not passed our internal safety auditing.
Mode of Transport
- LUGGAGE LIMITS:
- Domestic flights in Nepal have strict weight limits - 10kg of check-in luggage and 5kg of carry-on hand luggage per person is included with your flight ticket. Excess baggage (up to 5kg per person only) will be charged at your own expense.
- TRAVEL BETWEEN KATHMANDU & POKHARA:
- On itineraries that include road travel between these destinations, past travellers have often decided to fly this route independently to avoid the long overland journey (200km, approx 6+ hours). The flight takes around 35mins. Should you decide to fly, this will be at your own expense with no refunds for road travel available.
- ROAD TRAVEL:
- Roadworks and infrastructure projects can cause significant delays on major roads within cities and highways between destinations. Road travel can also be disrupted due to demonstrations and bandhs (strikes) without warning. Major roadworks are currently ongoing in and around Kathmandu and the roads to Chitwan National Park. Delays, heavy traffic, poor road conditions and dust are a reality of road travel in Nepal.
- MONSOON:
- The monsoon season is from June to September and weather conditions can disrupt travel during this time due to flooding and landslides. Disruption of air travel and airport closures are also possible. Be prepared that the itinerary may need to change at short notice.
Check out our Q&As
-
Is this trip right for you
On Short Breaks, you maintain a good level of independence and freedom, with the added bonus of having the details sorted out for you. You’ll have lots of free time and you won’t be accompanied by a Trip Leader. This means that all included activities and tours will be run by different local Intrepid partners, and these may operate independently from each other. The included activities and transfers will operate on a join-in basis, which means that you could have your Adventure all to yourself, or others may join you along the way. If you would prefer to travel in a group with a dedicated Trip Leader, just get in touch with your booking agent and they will take you through some alternatives.
While no where near as challenging as a multi-day trek at altitude such as Everest Base Camp, you will still need excellent fitness for this trek as you will be trekking 5-7 hours a day on Days 1-3.
Take note of the time of year you are trekking to know what to expect weather wise. While June-August is monsoon, weather conditions can be unpredictable at any time of the year including rain and fog which can make views cloudy and the ground muddy.
A duffel bag is provided on this trip, along with a porter. Your porter can carry up to 8kg per traveller. Other luggage can be left in Kathmandu. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
2024 Dec
2024 Jan
2025 Feb
2025 Mar
2025 Apr
2025 May
2025 Jun
2025 Jul
2025 Aug
2025 Sep
2025 Oct
2025 Nov
2025 Dec
2025
Friday - Monday
Nov 29, 2024 - Dec 02, 2024Monday - Thursday
Dec 02, 2024 - Dec 05, 2024Wednesday - Saturday
Dec 04, 2024 - Dec 07, 2024Friday - Monday
Dec 06, 2024 - Dec 09, 2024Monday - Thursday
Dec 09, 2024 - Dec 12, 2024Wednesday - Saturday
Dec 11, 2024 - Dec 14, 2024Friday - Monday
Dec 13, 2024 - Dec 16, 2024Monday - Thursday
Dec 16, 2024 - Dec 19, 2024Wednesday - Saturday
Dec 18, 2024 - Dec 21, 2024Friday - Monday
Dec 20, 2024 - Dec 23, 2024Monday - Thursday
Dec 23, 2024 - Dec 26, 2024Wednesday - Saturday
Dec 25, 2024 - Dec 28, 2024Friday - Monday
Dec 27, 2024 - Dec 30, 2024Wednesday - Saturday
Jan 01, 2025 - Jan 04, 2025Friday - Monday
Jan 03, 2025 - Jan 06, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jan 06, 2025 - Jan 09, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Jan 08, 2025 - Jan 11, 2025Friday - Monday
Jan 10, 2025 - Jan 13, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jan 13, 2025 - Jan 16, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Jan 15, 2025 - Jan 18, 2025Friday - Monday
Jan 17, 2025 - Jan 20, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jan 20, 2025 - Jan 23, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Jan 22, 2025 - Jan 25, 2025Friday - Monday
Jan 24, 2025 - Jan 27, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jan 27, 2025 - Jan 30, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Jan 29, 2025 - Feb 01, 2025Friday - Monday
Jan 31, 2025 - Feb 03, 2025Monday - Thursday
Feb 03, 2025 - Feb 06, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Feb 05, 2025 - Feb 08, 2025Friday - Monday
Feb 07, 2025 - Feb 10, 2025Monday - Thursday
Feb 10, 2025 - Feb 13, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Feb 12, 2025 - Feb 15, 2025Friday - Monday
Feb 14, 2025 - Feb 17, 2025Monday - Thursday
Feb 17, 2025 - Feb 20, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Feb 19, 2025 - Feb 22, 2025Friday - Monday
Feb 21, 2025 - Feb 24, 2025Monday - Thursday
Feb 24, 2025 - Feb 27, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Feb 26, 2025 - Mar 01, 2025Friday - Monday
Feb 28, 2025 - Mar 03, 2025Monday - Thursday
Mar 03, 2025 - Mar 06, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Mar 05, 2025 - Mar 08, 2025Friday - Monday
Mar 07, 2025 - Mar 10, 2025Monday - Thursday
Mar 10, 2025 - Mar 13, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Mar 12, 2025 - Mar 15, 2025Friday - Monday
Mar 14, 2025 - Mar 17, 2025Monday - Thursday
Mar 17, 2025 - Mar 20, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Mar 19, 2025 - Mar 22, 2025Friday - Monday
Mar 21, 2025 - Mar 24, 2025Monday - Thursday
Mar 24, 2025 - Mar 27, 2025Friday - Monday
Mar 28, 2025 - Mar 31, 2025Monday - Thursday
Mar 31, 2025 - Apr 03, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Apr 02, 2025 - Apr 05, 2025Friday - Monday
Apr 04, 2025 - Apr 07, 2025Monday - Thursday
Apr 07, 2025 - Apr 10, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Apr 09, 2025 - Apr 12, 2025Friday - Monday
Apr 11, 2025 - Apr 14, 2025Monday - Thursday
Apr 14, 2025 - Apr 17, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Apr 16, 2025 - Apr 19, 2025Friday - Monday
Apr 18, 2025 - Apr 21, 2025Monday - Thursday
Apr 21, 2025 - Apr 24, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Apr 23, 2025 - Apr 26, 2025Friday - Monday
Apr 25, 2025 - Apr 28, 2025Monday - Thursday
Apr 28, 2025 - May 01, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Apr 30, 2025 - May 03, 2025Friday - Monday
May 02, 2025 - May 05, 2025Monday - Thursday
May 05, 2025 - May 08, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
May 07, 2025 - May 10, 2025Friday - Monday
May 09, 2025 - May 12, 2025Monday - Thursday
May 12, 2025 - May 15, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
May 14, 2025 - May 17, 2025Friday - Monday
May 16, 2025 - May 19, 2025Monday - Thursday
May 19, 2025 - May 22, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
May 21, 2025 - May 24, 2025Friday - Monday
May 23, 2025 - May 26, 2025Monday - Thursday
May 26, 2025 - May 29, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
May 28, 2025 - May 31, 2025Friday - Monday
May 30, 2025 - Jun 02, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jun 02, 2025 - Jun 05, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Jun 04, 2025 - Jun 07, 2025Friday - Monday
Jun 06, 2025 - Jun 09, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jun 09, 2025 - Jun 12, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Jun 11, 2025 - Jun 14, 2025Friday - Monday
Jun 13, 2025 - Jun 16, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jun 16, 2025 - Jun 19, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Jun 18, 2025 - Jun 21, 2025Friday - Monday
Jun 20, 2025 - Jun 23, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jun 23, 2025 - Jun 26, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Jun 25, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025Friday - Monday
Jun 27, 2025 - Jun 30, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jun 30, 2025 - Jul 03, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Jul 02, 2025 - Jul 05, 2025Friday - Monday
Jul 04, 2025 - Jul 07, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jul 07, 2025 - Jul 10, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Jul 09, 2025 - Jul 12, 2025Friday - Monday
Jul 11, 2025 - Jul 14, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jul 14, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Jul 16, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025Friday - Monday
Jul 18, 2025 - Jul 21, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jul 21, 2025 - Jul 24, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Jul 23, 2025 - Jul 26, 2025Friday - Monday
Jul 25, 2025 - Jul 28, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jul 28, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Jul 30, 2025 - Aug 02, 2025Friday - Monday
Aug 01, 2025 - Aug 04, 2025Monday - Thursday
Aug 04, 2025 - Aug 07, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Aug 06, 2025 - Aug 09, 2025Friday - Monday
Aug 08, 2025 - Aug 11, 2025Monday - Thursday
Aug 11, 2025 - Aug 14, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Aug 13, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025Friday - Monday
Aug 15, 2025 - Aug 18, 2025Monday - Thursday
Aug 18, 2025 - Aug 21, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Aug 20, 2025 - Aug 23, 2025Friday - Monday
Aug 22, 2025 - Aug 25, 2025Monday - Thursday
Aug 25, 2025 - Aug 28, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Aug 27, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025Friday - Monday
Aug 29, 2025 - Sep 01, 2025Monday - Thursday
Sep 01, 2025 - Sep 04, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Sep 03, 2025 - Sep 06, 2025Friday - Monday
Sep 05, 2025 - Sep 08, 2025Monday - Thursday
Sep 08, 2025 - Sep 11, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Sep 10, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025Friday - Monday
Sep 12, 2025 - Sep 15, 2025Monday - Thursday
Sep 15, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025Friday - Monday
Sep 19, 2025 - Sep 22, 2025Monday - Thursday
Sep 22, 2025 - Sep 25, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Sep 24, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025Friday - Monday
Sep 26, 2025 - Sep 29, 2025Monday - Thursday
Sep 29, 2025 - Oct 02, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Oct 01, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025Friday - Monday
Oct 03, 2025 - Oct 06, 2025Monday - Thursday
Oct 06, 2025 - Oct 09, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Oct 08, 2025 - Oct 11, 2025Friday - Monday
Oct 10, 2025 - Oct 13, 2025Monday - Thursday
Oct 13, 2025 - Oct 16, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Oct 15, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025Friday - Monday
Oct 17, 2025 - Oct 20, 2025Monday - Thursday
Oct 20, 2025 - Oct 23, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Oct 22, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025Friday - Monday
Oct 24, 2025 - Oct 27, 2025Monday - Thursday
Oct 27, 2025 - Oct 30, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Oct 29, 2025 - Nov 01, 2025Friday - Monday
Oct 31, 2025 - Nov 03, 2025Monday - Thursday
Nov 03, 2025 - Nov 06, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Nov 05, 2025 - Nov 08, 2025Friday - Monday
Nov 07, 2025 - Nov 10, 2025Monday - Thursday
Nov 10, 2025 - Nov 13, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Nov 12, 2025 - Nov 15, 2025Friday - Monday
Nov 14, 2025 - Nov 17, 2025Monday - Thursday
Nov 17, 2025 - Nov 20, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Nov 19, 2025 - Nov 22, 2025Friday - Monday
Nov 21, 2025 - Nov 24, 2025Monday - Thursday
Nov 24, 2025 - Nov 27, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Nov 26, 2025 - Nov 29, 2025Friday - Monday
Nov 28, 2025 - Dec 01, 2025Monday - Thursday
Dec 01, 2025 - Dec 04, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Dec 03, 2025 - Dec 06, 2025Friday - Monday
Dec 05, 2025 - Dec 08, 2025Monday - Thursday
Dec 08, 2025 - Dec 11, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Dec 10, 2025 - Dec 13, 2025Friday - Monday
Dec 12, 2025 - Dec 15, 2025Monday - Thursday
Dec 15, 2025 - Dec 18, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Dec 17, 2025 - Dec 20, 2025Friday - Monday
Dec 19, 2025 - Dec 22, 2025Monday - Thursday
Dec 22, 2025 - Dec 25, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Dec 24, 2025 - Dec 27, 2025Friday - Monday
Dec 26, 2025 - Dec 29, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Terms and Conditions