Country
Nepal
Duration
2 Days
Maximum altitude
2175m
Activity
Trekking
Difficulty
Easy
Best Season
Accomodation
Meals
Excluded
Start/End Point
The Nagarkot Changunarayan trek is the nearest hill trek in Nepal, located within the Kathmandu Valley. Nagarkot is popular for its stunning sunrise and sunset views and is one of the most popular hill stations. Situated at an altitude of 2,175m above sea level and 32 km from Kathmandu, this small hill station provides spectacular views of the northern mountains, sunrise, and sunset.
Whereas Changu Narayan is the historic temple found to date in Nepal and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is situated at the top of the hill, followed by the Champac tree. Changu Narayan is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. While you will find many ancient statues and pulchritudinous art crafted in the temple. Also, you can view the Sankhu locality through this hill. So, the combination of the Nagarkot and Changunarayan treks will be both natural and historical to visit. Below are some Nagarkot Changunarayan packages, according to your wish.
Day Summary
Depart Kathmandu: 07:00 AM
Total drive distance: 54 km (both ways)
Walking distance: 12–15 km
Walking duration: 3–4 hours
Trail difficulty: Moderate (mostly downhill)
Highest point: Nagarkot, 2,195 m
Lowest point: Changunarayan, 1,500 m
Return to Kathmandu By 3:30 PM
Full-Day Itinerary
07:00 AM — Depart Kathmandu
After breakfast at your Kathmandu hotel, your guide and private vehicle will pick you up. Drive east through Bhaktapur toward Nagarkot's scenic ridge.
Drive distance: 32 km | Drive time: approx. 1.5 hours
08:30 AM — Arrive Nagarkot View Tower (2,195 m)
Climb the tower and soak in a breathtaking 180-degree Himalayan panorama. From here, you can see eight major Himalayan ranges—the Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Jugal, Rolwaling, Mahalangur (Everest), and Numbur ranges.
Mountains visible on a clear day:
| Mountain | Altitude |
| Mt. Everest | 8848 m, |
| Manaslu | 8,163 m |
| Annapurna I | 8,091 m |
| Shishapangma | 8,013 m |
| Langtang | 7,246 m |
| Ganesh Himal | 7,405 m |
| Gaurishankar | 6,874 m |
| Dorje Lakpa | 6,799 m |
| Machhapuchhare | 6,993 m |
| Jugal Himal | 6,095 m |
09:15 AM — Begin Hiking to Changunarayan
Start the descent from the Nagarkot ridge after enjoying the views. The trail descends through terraced fields and forests, passing through peaceful countryside with stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
Walking distance: 12–15 km
Walking time: 3–4 hours
Elevation drop: approx. 700 m (2,195 m → 1,500 m)
Trail type: mostly downhill, moderate difficulty
01:00 PM — Arrive at Changunarayan Temple
Changunarayan is Nepal's oldest temple, housing a diverse collection of Lord Vishnu relics dating back to the 4th century and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore ancient stone carvings, sacred courtyards, and centuries-old sculptures.
01:30 PM — Lunch near Changunarayan
Enjoy a well-earned traditional Nepali dal bhat or local meal at a nearby restaurant.
02:30 PM — Drive back to Kathmandu
Drive distance: approx. 22 km | Drive time: approx. 1 hour
03:30 PM — Arrive back in Kathmandu
At an elevation of 2,175m, Nagarkot Hill provides visitors with breathtaking sunrise vistas that encompass the entire snow-covered Himalayan Mountain range, which includes Mount Everest when the weather is clear.
Changu Narayan Temple represents the oldest Vishnu temple in Nepal, which dates back to the 4th century and displays exceptional craftsmanship through its stone, wood, and metal elements.
Sankhu functions as a beautiful ancient Newari village that presents visitors with typical Newari architectural style and authentic local traditions, and its historical religious practices that have continued for hundreds of years.
The Changu Narayan Temple has obtained UNESCO World Heritage status because of its exceptional universal aesthetic and historical value, together with its significance to Nepali culture.
The trail provides trekkers with exceptional views which show the complete mountain range of Langtang and Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, and the Everest massif during times of clear weather.
The path passes through historical sites that contain ancient temples and royal courtyards, and sacred shrines, which showcase the complete historical development of Nepalese civilization.
Option 1: Nagarkot Changunarayan trek (1 night / 2 days)
Option 2: Changu Narayan to Nagarkot (1 night / 2 days)
Option 3: Sankhu to Nagarkot hike (1 night / 2 days)
Option 4: Nagarkot to Sankhu hike (1 night / 2 days)
Start From
Get personalised guidance for any Nepal adventure — with expert planning and safety support.
We offer expert advice, flexible options, and tailor-made itineraries.
The Nagarkot Changunarayan Trek through Himalayan Smile Treks provided excellent hiking opportunities from Kathmandu. The guide named Lakpa Sherpa showed friendly behavior while delivering his expert knowledge. The sunrise view from Nagarkot created a breathtaking sight which continued to impress throughout the entire experience that followed along the tranquil path to Changunarayan Temple which passed through villages and forests.
The search for the best Galaya site led to an exceptional trek between Nagarkot and Changunarayan. Guide Karma Sherpa ensured a smooth and enjoyable journey. The hiking path revealed Himalayan mountain ranges and terraced agricultural fields while displaying genuine daily activities of local people. The trek ended perfectly after visiting the historical Changunarayan Temple.
The Nagarkot Changunarayan Trek with Himalayan Smile Treks provided a hiking experience which exceeded all of my expectations. Guide Chiring Sherpa provided complete support while explaining important information to me. The route offered a peaceful experience with beautiful views which included local agricultural areas and forested regions. The trek became extremely satisfying because it offered both mountain scenery and cultural heritage.
The Nagarkot to Changunarayan trek with Himalayan Smile Treks provided an excellent trekking experience. Guide Dawa Sherpa shared local stories and ensured comfort. The day hiking experience near Kathmandu reached its peak when visitors could see the Himalayas and experience the beauty of the countryside while visiting the historic temple.
Himalayan Smile Treks organized an unforgettable Nagarkot Changunarayan Trek experience. The guide Namel Dherpa handled all tasks with complete professional conduct. The scenic trek provided easy access to beautiful areas which displayed the cultural heritage of the region.
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$330.00
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