Nagarkot Changu Day Hiking: A Scenic Day Hike Near Kathmandu
If you want to get a serene break from the hustle of Kathmandu and do not feel like going too far, then Nagarkot Changu Day Hiking is a great day hike. Honestly speaking, I have done lots of hikes here, but Nagarkot Changu hiking trail provides good Himalayan scenery, plants, typical Nepali village, and cultural experience in a day hike. It can also balance exercise and exploration irrespective of who you are as an individual, either nature, culture, or the thrill of thrills.
Source- Google
Why Choose Nagarkot Changu Day Hiking?
Nagarkot Changu hike is a moderate day hike, and it is appropriate for all fitness levels from beginner to experienced trekkers.
You shoot some of your finest sunrise Himalayan vistas, hike some of your finest on peaceful forest roads, and gaze out over a UNESCO World Heritage skyline in one day. The trek runs along the rim of the Kathmandu Valley with stunning views of snow–covered peaks, green rice fields, and tiny and charming local villages.
Highlights of the Nagarkot Changu Day Hike:
Langtang Himalayas from Nagarkot Village
Source- Google
1. Stunning Himalayan views (if you start early)
The most common experience on the Nagarkot Changu trek is witnessing the sunrise from Nagarkot. If you get up early morning, you can witness the sunrise at the viewpoint, to see the first light of the sun, casting over the white Himalayas and lighting back in hues of pink and gold. You get to see a vast landscape, i.e., Mount Everest and some sleeping giants.
While it is a divine experience to witness the break of dawn with naked eyes, if you wake up early and proceed towards Nagarkot, you have serene solitude too for photography or sitting, or meditation before the trek starts.
2. Peaceful forest and ridge-line walking
Nagarkot to Changu Narayan trek takes you on a piece of pure peaceful walking of gliding along rhododendron, pine and evergreen forests at high altitudes and rolling ridges. Quiet walking amidst the virtual quietness of the din of blackbirds’ calls, leaves falling off trees in the wind, or hearing leaves dropping in the forest is relief from city noise. You will also have unobstructed views of one green valley on one side, and of the Himalayan mountains on the other, along the ridge line. Treking over long stretches along the ridge line surely is an experience which not only gets etched in the mind but is quite contemplative. It wasn’t a difficult path to ascend since it is well-marked, not too steep, and you get to enjoy the path as much as possible.
3. Insight into rural Nepalese life and traditional farming
The more you move on the path of Nagarkot and head to the countryside villages, the more you observe the actual rural Nepalese traditional life. You get to see the farmers plowing the fields on irrigated fields, children going to school, and tiny mud-built houses. You can form an actual picture of how villagers are clean and eco-friendly. The trail follows down through small Newari and Tamang settlements, where farming is still the focus of the people’s lives. To see villagers ploughing their fields or harvesting their crops with the very same old tools as they do is to have a genuine cultural appreciation of your trekking experience.
Trekking in Nepal
4. Visit to Changu Narayan Temple – Kathmandu Valley’s oldest Hindu temple
The trekking end and reach the destination, stands the Changu Narayan Temple, the old beauty which rests peacefully on a hill. This temple complex is the oldest existing Hindu temple in Nepal that is still being use, dating back to around the 4th century. The temple is of Lord Vishnu and has exquisite gold and stone paint, wood and stone writings, and traditional Newari architecture.
Changu Narayan Temple is a world heritage site, along with a regular pilgrimage site of Nepalese citizens and foreign visitors as well. Walking across the temple campus is a humble experience and testimony to Nepal’s religious history and culture.
5. Spectacular views of Mount Everest, Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and more
There are scenic views of the mountains during the trek. There are views of frequent peaks of the area—Everest, Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, Dorje Lakpa, Gauri Shanker, etc.—on a clear day while trekking. On a ridge top and trekking, there are views of mountains surrounding with wide ranges in sight along the trek. The combination of alpine vistas and rolling hills, and the field terraces, also makes the trek a scenic and panoramic one to gaze at in photos. Panoramic views of Taruch, because of elevation, are not a commonplace, unfortunately.
6. Changu Narayan Temple
The final destination of visit on the trek is the Changu Narayan Temple. UNESCO’s World Heritage and Kathmandu Valley’s oldest Hindu temple, Changu Narayan Temple (4th century), is renowned for exquisite carvings made on stone, ancient inscriptions, and beautiful wood architecture as the epitome of the very beautiful Licchavi style period. The temple complex is ringed by a quaint countryside town that provides it with a serene atmosphere that carries some of the remaining vestiges of Nepal’s religious and cultural heritage. Changu Narayan is trekking through the past, and it is culturally a rewarding conclusion to the day’s trek.
Starting Point: Sunrise in Nagarkot
Your day starts with a morning drive early morning from Kathmandu to Nagarkot. It is a 1.5-hour drive at an altitude of 2,175m. Nagarkot is the highest survey ridge of Nepal to see the Himalayan range. If you arrive at Nagarkot early morning, then it will be wonderful because there can never be anything more beautiful than to see the first light of the sun on the white-painted mountains and mythological hills like Mount Everest, Langtang Lirung, Dorje Lakpa, Gauri Shankar, and on the count of three dozen more.
Nagarkot sunrise is a fairy tale and pea perfect start to your trekking adventure. Then treat yourself to a warm breakfast at the hilltop hotel or resort to ready you for your second day trek. Breakfast and morning, you start downhill trekking from Nagarkot and trek via the village and forest to the ancient Changu Narayan Temple.
Sunrise from Nagarkot
The Hike: From Hilltops to Heritage
Nagarkot to Changu Narayan trekking
The distance is 12 km (7.5 miles), and for optimal good times, it may be expected to be completed within 4-5 hours of uninterrupted walking with hardly any room left for including the sometimes-necessary resting break and photo-stop along the way on the trek. From an adequately elevated point of Nagarkot (2,175 meters), the trek then goes down using forest ridges, which decide the route of a valley. The trail scene provides one with the scenic open sight of greens, white cap hill tops, and scenery along the entire trail path.
The trail starts with sloping down pine and rhododendron forests that in normal flowers pinks and reds during the spring season. It is fresh, cool bird-song filled air on its gentle way along the trail, opening nicely, too, the gradient thermometer inches slowly along the ridge line, pausing to glance halfway at white Himalayan giants such as Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and of course, Mount Everest in sight. The trail is weather permitting. There are some parts of the trail that provide some relief and room for fantastic photographs, also wooded parts with cover provide relief.
Langtang Himalayas
Tamang and Newari villages
There are Tamang and Newari villages with a peaceful and slow flow of time among them. You behold tile-roofed mud houses with tiles over-plastered, fluttering prayer flags, and the villagers with the day’s toil of grazing cattle, weaving, or agriculture. To be able to witness such routine glimpses of Nepal village life makes the trek an experience rather than a nature walk; it makes the journey warm and friendly with actual village life.
The highway broadens, and you get a glimpse of cultivation fields on sloping land cultivated in an aesthetically beautiful way. The cultivation fields are sown with seasonally suitable crops such as maize, mustard, potatoes, and rice. You also get a glimpse of oxen-based cultivation by peasants, old women collecting, and children playing in open fields. There are moments when there is a tea stall or tea shop somewhere down the corner, and one has to pull over, drive there and sit back a bit, and drink a Nepali tea or snack on something, and look out into the landscape below.
The trail is downdownhilll gradient or flat and has typical small hills, not so twisty one tires, but no legendary hill gradient where so much effort must be expend. The trail runs the entire gamut – mud path, rock stairs, puffing village trail – but no more than to a fairly reasonable fitness trekker’.
The trek terminates at Changu Narayan Temple. The ancient temple lies on a very steep hill, and the hill gazes over the eastern edge of Kathmandu Valley. In the second half of the trek, you’d have the feeling of living in different times when you reached the old structure and peaceful village with lovely traditional stone carvings that run along the same. The final destination of your nature trek amidst sheer spirituality and culture.
Destination: Changu Narayan Temple
Changunarayan Temple
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The journey ends at the location of the old temple of Changu Narayan Temple. The Temple lies on the edge of the valley of the eastern rim and was built in the background of praying to Lord Vishnu. The Temple is the nation’s oldest surviving Hindu temple, of the 4th century.
It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is stud with stone carvings, inscriptions, and ancient Newari structures such as the Cham Shahreng Monument. It is a peaceful and spiritually invigorating culmination to the trek.
What to Pack for the Ngarkot Day Hike
While this is a day hike, it’s best to come prepared. Here’s a quick checklist:
1. Good Hiking Shoes
Good hiking shoes are something that must be well looked after when planning a trek from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan. The trek involves muddy roads, limestone tracks, and village roads, and hence, shoes that provide good grip as well as ankle support are highly recommended. Good trail shoes not only allow one to travel farther before merely becoming tired, but also eliminate the potential for blistering and sprained ankles. You’ll be hiking back wearing other people’s shoes, even if you’re an old pro at trail hiking or even a novice, and be thankful the good shoes weren’t wasted on it – it’s safer and you’ll have fun too.
2. Water bottle and Snacks
One thing to remember when trekking in the first place, and when you’re trekking for 4 or 5 hours, is hydration. Try to bring a refillable bottle and refill it as much as possible, but of course, water on the trail will be limited.
Bring light snacks such as energy bars, trail mix, or even fruits to munch on while trekking. All those little things can give you the energy with not-so-time-consuming foods. All those little things sum up can be the difference between being tired and not-rested or calm and refreshed for the rest of the day.
3. Hat, Sunscreen, and Sunglasses.
Sun rays will be direct at the upper levels, as air temperature is misleading. A wide, broad-brimmed hat will cast a shadow over the face and neck from the sun’s radiation. Use also high SPF sun block to prevent sunburns (exposed trail skin is most susceptible). Add a good pair of shades for eye protection from sun radiation and dust to ensure comfort and protection!
4. Light Fleece or Jacket (mornings can be cool).
Mornings in Nagarkot are windy and cold during spring and fall. The initial part of the trek would be easily handle by wearing a fleece or thin jacket. You would perhaps want to carry it halfway up as the warming air temperature increases. You would like to carry something light but with good ventilation for air flow due to the heat, because they aren’t heavy to carry!
5. Rain equipment (especially for the monsoon season)
If you are trekking in Nepal during monsoon months (June-August), bring rain gear with you. Hill weather is extremely unpredictable, and a quick shower will catch up with you in no time. A rain jacket or poncho will dry and warm you up if you are catch in a rain shower. A rain cover for your daypack would be a great item to bring if you wish your gear to remain dry.
6. Camera or telephone
You will be keen to record your trip in photos, from the stunning Himalayan vistas to the rustic feel of arrival in Dalit and other villages.
You can bring a camera or a phone with a camera as a reminder for the hike. And charge your gear fully for the hike, in case you wish to take lots of photos, bring a power bank. You’ll have to leave the experience behind and the memories that you will make in your mind.
7. Small daypack
The most comfortable method of carrying your hiking gear is in a lightweight, comfortable daypack. Choose one with shoulder pads and, if you like, pockets to stash things in. Your pack should be spacious enough to carry your water bottle, snacks, change of clothes, rain gear, and personal items, but not so loaded down with equipment that you wear yourself out carrying it. Having your hands free to hike also makes it easier to balance and enhances hiking enjoyment in general.
Best Time to Go Nagarkot Changunarayan Temple
Autumn (Sept to Nov) or Spring (Mar to May) is best time to go for the Nagarkot Changu trek. The seasons are sufficient with good weather, mild temperature, and scenic views. Even the winter season (Dec to Feb) is best suit for trekking, but mornings will be extremely cold.
The worst season is the monsoon (Jun to Aug) because it will be wet and muddy. Otherwise, it would be fantastic, but then the view will also be luscious and richly green if mud trails do not deter you.
Himalayas & Nagarkot Village
How to Book the Nagarkot Hike
You can rent this trek from a local trekking agency, hire the service of a guide or do it yourself with a map or GPS. But if you are a first-time trekker in Nepal or you wish to know about the local history and culture, then we would recommend hiring the service of a guide.
Nagarkot Changu Day Hike package tours can be procure from tour operators in Kathmandu that cover transport, breakfast, guide, and entrance fees.
Conclusion
Nagarkot Changu Day Trek is a trek with Himalayan scenery and Nepali culture and centuries of history. Perfect day outing for the traveler who does not desire something from the usual Kathmandu city tour. Scenic beauty, serene paths, and historic site at Changu Narayan, the trek is one of Nepal’s best kept secrets.
Whether time-pressed or simply looking for a day off from the wilderness, this hike will have you pining for whatever amount of magic Nepal has to offer. contact us today at Happy Mountain Nepal, on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.