Nagarkot Hike

Overview

The Nagarkot hike is a popular and relatively easy hiking route within the Kathmandu valley, spanning approximately 15 kilometers. The hike commences at the ancient Changu Narayan temple and concludes at Nagarkot. Along the trail, hikers will pass through scenic locations such as Trishul danda, telkot, Muhan pokhari, and the Kalamashi dam, also known as Bojine dam. The hike typically takes around 5 to 6 hours to complete and is considered to have a moderate level of difficulty. The maximum elevation reached during the hike is 2175 meters. To reach Changu Narayan temple, it takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from Kathmandu. This temple, located in the Bhaktapur District, is one of the oldest temples in Nepal and holds great historical and cultural significance. It is a UNESCO heritage site and a popular destination for devotees, as it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Narayan). The temple is believed to have been constructed in the year 464 C.E. in the pagoda style, under the patronage of King Mandev from the Licchavi dynasty.

After a brief sightseeing, our hike commences towards Telkot, offering breathtaking views of Bhaktapur city to the south and Sankhu to the north. The picturesque paddy fields along the way will captivate you, urging you to pause and admire their beauty. If the weather permits, the majestic Phurbu Gyachu, a mountain in the Jugal range, will grace the northern horizon. Once we reach Telkot, the trail diverges, and we continue our ascent towards Muhan Pokhari. This area boasts three enchanting waterfalls, serving as a vital source of drinking water for Bhaktapur. From Telkot onwards, the path becomes a steady uphill climb through the scenic Bageshowri forest, leading us all the way to Nagarkot. Along the way, we will take a break to marvel at the Kalamasi/Bojini dam, an impressive artificial structure. After reaching the Nagarkot view tower, we will descend towards the main Nagarkot junction, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch before returning to Kathmandu. This trek offers a multitude of attractions, including the revered Changu Narayan Temple, panoramic views of Bhaktapur, Sankhu, and the Kathmandu Valley, the Trishul Danda and Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple, the Jalpa Devi Temple in Telkot, mesmerizing waterfalls in Telkot, and the awe-inspiring mountain vistas of Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh, Langtang, Gaurishankar, and Everest (in favorable weather conditions).

Detail Itinerary

• The day begins at 7:00 AM with a gathering at Bhrikutimandap, where a briefing about the upcoming hike takes place.
• At 7:30 AM, we embark on a drive to Changu Narayan, our first destination of the day.
• By 8:30 AM, we arrive at Changu-Narayan Temple, where we take some time to explore and enjoy breakfast.
• At 9:30 AM, the hike officially begins, and we set off on our adventure.
• Around 11:30 AM, we take a well-deserved break at Telkot, where we enjoy some coffee or tea and have our lunch.
• After recharging, at 1:30 PM, we continue our journey and make a stop at the beautiful waterfall in Muhanpokhari.
• By 3:00 PM, we start our drive back to Kathmandu, taking in the scenic views along the way.
• Finally, at 4:30 PM, we reach the end of our hike, concluding a day filled with exploration and adventure.