Changunarayan Nagarkot Hike

Let us take you to the most famous hill station and the sacred temple of Lord Vishnu in our Changunarayan Nagarkot Hike journey. Yes, our travel planners have knitted the best itinerary where you can enjoy the sightseeing of the famous UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE and sunset from the famous touristic destination near the Kathmandu Valley. Around the Kathmandu Valley, there are many hiking trails where you can enjoy forests, culture, wildlife, and mountain vistas. Among these trails, the Changunaryan Nagarkot Hike is probably on the top of the list. Comparatively, the hike is longer and sophisticated than other hiking trails of the valley.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES of Kathmandu Valley

Before we talk about the Changunarayan Nagarkot Hike, let’s talk about the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES of the Kathmandu Valley. Our hiking itinerary starts from one of the heritage sites, therefore, you must know about remaining heritage sites of the valley. There are 7 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES in the Kathmandu Valley. They are the Pashupatinath Temple, Swyambhunath, Bouddhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square alongside the Changunarayan temple. You can book our Kathmandu Valley Heritage & Panorama Tour package to explore these places before enjoying sunset – sunrise from Nagarkot. Contact our travel planners to book the best heritage tour package.

Lichhavi Dynasty Temple by King Man Dev: Changunarayan Temple

The starting point of the Changunarayan Nagarkot Hike is this Lichhavi Dynasty Temple built by king Man Dev. The temple is believed to be one of the oldest temples of Nepal perched in the Dolagiri Hill top in the Bhaktapur district of Nepal. It is listed as the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE in 1979. The oldest stone inscripture written around 4th century by King Mandev in a monumental pillar in the temple premise is another highlight of the temple. Two tiered pagoda style temple is very resilient and there are many statues dating back 5th and 6th century. The temple is guarded by pairs of stone griffins, sarabhas, elephants, and lions in all four entrances.

The grandeur of the temple is so magnificent and you feel positive energy surged throughout your body while visiting the temple. Start the hike to Nagarkot with positive energy and bit of ancient history dating back 3rd to 4th centuries.   

Changunarayan Nagarkot Hike: Cultural and Sunset Experience Trail

Special attention was given while knitting the itinerary of the Changunarayan Nagarkot Hike. We felt that a hiker in a day’s hike must accumulate diverse experiences. Therefore, our trail traverses through ancient temples, ethnic Newari villages, terraced farmlands, and famous hill station. Traversing through these trails can help you understand about the deeply rooted Newari culture and architecture. Similarly, you will also be able to understand still prevalent agricultural aspects of the people living in the area. Please note that the Bhaktapur district is comparatively raw and rural than Patan (Lalitpur) and Kathmandu. Therefore, expect authenticity and rawness during the hike. Hikers can end the hike with the beautiful sunset where you can get glimpses of mountains as far as the world’s tallest mountain, Mt. Everest.

Newar Communities of Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon)

Do you know that the Changunarayan Nagarkot Hike route acts as transition zone between high – ridge Tamang communities and low – land Newar, Brahmins, and Chhetri communities? Yes, it is totally a cultural hike that gives ideas about these ethnic communities of Nepal including their daily lives. Expect brick built houses near Changu Villages which are habituated by Newar communities. Try local delicacies like Samaybaji and local liquors too! Popular local alcohols that are highly recommended for experience to try for hikers are Chhyang (Rice Beer) and Ayila (spirited local acohol). Besides these delicacies, you can also try Nigar (similar to Chhyang) from Tamang community as you approach Nagarkot from Changu Village. Along the way, you can interact with the people sitting in the Pati (resting places). You will be fascinated by the mundane village life of people living near the bustling city of the Kathmandu Valley.

Sunset from Nagarkot

One of the highlights of the Changunarayan Nagarkot Hike is the sunset experiences from the Nagarkot Hill. At an altitude of 2175 m above sea level, the hill offers breathtaking scenery of sun setting and making the Langtang Himalayan range into golden colors. The hike ends in spectacular moment of seeing the sun hiding away exuding the golden evening rays. It’s truly the best time to capture some of the best landscape photographs that you will ever capture.

Besides the sunset experiences, the Nagarko Hill (2175 m) is also the famous vantage points to witness 8 out of 13 Himalayan ranges. Relish the chance to get glimpses of mountains from the Mahalangur Himalayan range including the sight of Mount Everest (8848.86 m). Additionally, you get to see mountains from Langtang Himalayan range, Annapurna Himalayan range, Numbur Himalayan range, and Manaslu Himalayan range. In addition to these mountain vistas, you will also be able to capture majestic scenery of cascading hills and valleys from the top of the Nagarkot hill (2175 m).

Popular Day Hikes to do in Kathmandu after Cultural Tour

Well, if you are considering day hikes in Kathmandu after cultural tour, then there are other options too besides the Changunarayan Nagarkot Hike. Please go through our day hiking packages like the Jamacho Hill Hike, Tarakeshwor Temple Hike, Tau Daha Chandragiri Hike, etc. to experience short hikes. The best part about hiking activities around the Kathmandu Valley is that you get to experience wildlife and vegetation even if it is near the bustling capital city of Nepal. Mountain vistas, cultural significances, myths, and natural flora & fauna inside the green lush forests of the hills around the Kathmandu Valley worth every penny spent.

Side Treks to consider from Nagarkot

Are you planning to extend the hike into trekking? If yes, then there are multiple options for travelers to trek or hike from Nagarkot. After completing the Changunarayan Nagarkot Hike, spend a night in this famous hill station town. Experience sunrise and embark to different destinations. The hill is in between the Langtang Valley trekking region and Helambu Trekking region. Therefore, major side treks to consider from Nagarkot are from either of these destinations. The travel planners of the Nepal Trekking Rangers have identified three routes of different attractions as side treks trails from Nagarkot (2175 m).

Make sure to contact the travel planners before planning these side treks. We will knit a hassle – free and best itinerary to extend the Changunarayan Nagarkot Hike. Please note down that you can also choose to book our Nepal Heritage Sites & Wildlife Odyssey or the Kathmandu Valley Heritage & Panorama Tour package that includes short hikes and cultural sightseeing tours.

Here is the list of the three possible side trips from Nagarkot (2175 m).

Chisapani Nagarkot Trek 2 Nights 3 Days Short Trip

The most famous short trekking trail inside the Langtang Region of Nepal is the Chisapani Nagarkot Trek. You can either start the trek from Nagarkot after the Changunarayan Hike or you can do the opposite one via Sundarijal Mulkharka Village. The trek is beautiful through Tamang Villages and through Langtang National Park. If you are looking for short getaway from the chaotic city, then book the 2 nights 3 days Chisapani Nagarkot Trek. The trail encompasses Tamang villages, flora, fauna, and majestic scenery of mountains including the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest.

Sankhu Hike via Jarsimpauwa from Nagarkot

Extend the Changunarayan Hike by including the Sankhu route from Nagarkot. Sankhu is an ancient Newari town which is formed in the shape of Sankha (religious musical instrument). You can hike through terraced farmlands and villages of Tamang, Brahmins, Chhetris, and Newars. The high ridge areas are mainly habituated by Tamang People and low land valleys are habituated by others. Therefore, you can get amazing chance to witness cultural sides of different ethnic communities of Nepal. Note down that the Sankhu area is also sacred place where you can visit the Salinadi (Holy River as depicted in Swasthani Brata Katha). There are different myths and stories related to gods and goddesses in the area. You can end the hike in the most cultural place in the suburban areas of the Kathmandu Valley. On the way back from Sankhu, you can also visit the famous UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES like Bouddhanath and Pashupatinath.

Melamchi Helambu Trek from Nagarkot

Allocate another 2 to 3 days to explore the Helambu region of Nepal. The place is mainly habituated by Hyolmo People who are similar to Tamang but they have their own language, culture, and traditions. If you book the Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Lake Trek, then you can also visit the Helambu region but it requires more days. Booking the Changunarayan Nagarkot Hike and extending the trip to Helambu can be the smartest way to observe Nepal’s trekking regions especially the Langtang region.

Please feel free to contact our travel planners to book the Changunarayan Nagarkot Hike for amazing day trip near the Kathmandu Valley. It is truly the combination of nature and culture in a short hiking trip.