• Jan 13, 2023
  • Sushila Thapa
  • 2440

Undeniably, Nepal is a nature jackpot but what if you don’t have time for more or less than 6-7 days of itineraries? Would you be still able to see the Himalayas in one day? Yes, you can. If you are looking to Hiking in Nepal or you want to hike with family or friends take a break from your busy schedule. Then settle on one day hike near Kathmandu, to grab the beauty of insanely beautiful places within walking distance, and centered on or around Kathmandu valley.

Away from the city’s pollution and chaos, you can enjoy a leisurely walk through the lush forest and mountain peaks with your family or friends. Without making any effort, you can also experience seamless Trekking in Nepal with Nepal Adventure Team which arranges tours and treks in Nepal and nearby Nepal: Bhutan and Tibet. The only problem here is to be deciding which one-day hike to try first. To make it easier here are the top 10 best one-day hiking places to visit.

Day Hike near Kathmandu before Trek

No matter how old are you or how weak is your physical strength, you can easily complete these hikes. If you have spare one day in Kathmandu besides your planned scheduled trek itineraries, you can easily make it worth it by choosing a day hike around Kathmandu, which not only rewards you with natural wonder and mountain peaks but it also helps you stretch your leg and prepared you for your upcoming long trekking voyage in the Himalayas. In other words: a day hike is preferable for trekkers who want to have a trekking-like experience and visit the top magnificent spots in Nepal.

And so, without further ado, let’s begin.

Table of Contents

Shivapuri Day Hike

Traversing Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, along with Budanilkantha temple, Nagi Gumba, and Kopan Monasteries is the major highlight of this hike. The Shivapuri day hike is considered one of the best hikes among the popular hike in Nepal.

A day hike to Shivapuri starts with an uphill drive to an entrance gate of Shivapuri National Park, before reaching there you would pay a short visit to Budanilkantha temple.

During the hike, you will discover the trail enriched with wild vegetation supplying a fresh chilly breeze and melodious chirping of birds. Beguiling views of Himalayan ranges such as Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, and Langtang Himal will serve you well while you spent time at Shivapuri peak.

Shivapuri Day Hike Highlights:

  • Blend into nature with a friendly guide
  • Traversing Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
  • Find yourself stranded in nature
  • Escape from bustling Kathmandu
  • Budhanilkantha Temple
  • Traversing Nagi Gumba and Kapan Monastery with a nunnery practicing Buddhism

Sundarijal Day Hike

Sundarijal Day Hike also takes you through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Presenting the varieties of flora and fauna of Shivapuri National Park and nearby hilly areas of Kathmandu Sundarijal Day Hike is the perfect choice to get away from the chaotic city and bath under the Sundarijal which stands for Sundari “beautiful” and Jal “water”, the beautiful water.

It takes a short drive to Shivapuri National park to begin Sundarijal Day Hike. The epic hike takes the hiker through valleys full of forest and mountain peaks.

Sundarijal Day Hike Highlights:

  • Buddhanilkantha Temple
  • Nagi Gumba
  • Tarebhir
  • Sundarijal Bird’s eye view of Kathmandu Valley

Jamacho Day Hike

Jamacho Day hike is one of the most easily accessible popular day hikes from Kathmandu where you can visit a small Buddhist shrine on the hill. On top of that, you can picturesquely view the landscapes, mountains, and Kathmandu Valley.

Jamacho Day Hike starts with a short drive to Phulbari gate from Balaju Bypass or you can walk to Phulbari gate because it is within walkable distance from Balaju. Being part of the Shivapuri- Nagarjuna National park, you will encounter a nature paradise. You will be free from the hustling and bustling of city life. After 2:30 hours of upward hiking, you will reach Jamacho Peak.

Jamacho Day Hike Highlights:

Jamacho Buddhist shrine

  • Majestic views of Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Jugal, Dorje Lakpa, and Langtang massif
  • Enjoy the Bird’s eye view of Kathmandu Valley
  • Feel like walking with Nature

Indradaha Switzerland Park Day Hike

Hike to the Indradaha Switzerland Park is preferable for hikers who want to experience a culturally and historically rich destination, along with a scenic view of Kathmandu Valley and the mountain range from the hilltop. You can explore a pond where Lord Indra took a bath to get rid of the curse of Gautam Rishi. This suggests that it is also a holy pilgrimage site for Hindus; they believed that the goddess of Bindabasini and Manakamana is situated here.

The Indra Daha Switzerland park day hike begins from Syuchatar. From there you will be walking on the trail, adorned with a beautiful forest filled with pine, and a rhododendron tree which leads you to Switzerland Park. Your hike further takes you to Indra Daha from Switzerland Park within half an hour.

Indradaha Switzerland Park Highlights:

  • A scenic walk along with nature
  • The amazing sight of the Kathmandu Valley and Mountain ranges
  • Historic places View of Annapurna Mountain Range

Phulchoki Day Hike

The host of various flora and fauna, the rough trail goes through the thick forest resonant with birdsong, and blossomed rhododendron flowers in rich variety-what more could you wish for a day hike?

Phulchoki Day hike contains all the elements to be the number one-day hike among the other day hike near Kathmandu. Phulchoki Day hike near Kathmandu starts with a drive to Godawari. About 2-3 hours of walking will access Phulchowki Dada. Even the short detour from the Godawari park will take you there, the scenery from Phulchowki hilltop is mesmerizing, and the cool breeze and beautiful mountain range will let you ecstatic.

Phulchoki Day Hike Highlights:

  • Phulchoki hillstation (2783)
  • Discover various flora and fauna
  • The hike starts and ends at Godawari
  • Spectacular views of the valley and mountain
  • Bird watching
  • En route enjoy rhododendron blossoming

Namobuddha Day Hike

Namobuddha is one of the three major Buddhists Pilgrimage sites of Nepal, besides the renowned Bouddhanath and Swoyambhunath Stupa. Home of the most sacred Thrangu Tashi Yangtse, Namobuddha is a beautiful hill station near Panauti. The rich architecture, prayer wheels, fluttering prayer flags, chanting monks, and serene views of the vast landscape are even more beautiful. Besides that, the Namobuddha day hike offers visitors a fascinating beautiful natural peaceful surrounding where you can actually hear your own heartbeat looking at the snow covering a Himalayan range. The sight of Looking at the sunrise amidst the mountain peaks from Namobuddha is breathtaking!

Namodhha is 40 km away from Kathmandu city, after a short drive to Dhulikhel and about 2-3 hours of the walk will lead you to Namobuddha.

Namobuddha Day hike Highlights:

  • Namobuddha hillstation (1750m)
  • Explore Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery.
  • Touring the temple-dotted Panauti village.
  • Exploring the Newari and Buddhist Culture
  • Hiking through alleys, fields, and forests

Kakani Suryachaur Day Hike

Kakani Sauryachaur is a hill station that lies in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park -the major draws here are the Langtang Himalayan Range as well as the entire Likhu Valley of Nuwakot District of central Nepal. Traversing Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, one could see the diverse flora and fauna on the route. If you will get lucky, you can see a wonderful view of Mt. Manaslu 8167 meters, Mt.Ganesh Himal, Mt.Langtang Lirung, Mt.Dorje Lakpa, and the holy Gauri Shanker peak.

Kakani Suryachaur Day Hike can be accessed with a scenic drive to Kakani from Kathmandu. Kakani Suryachaur Day Hike presents an absolutely beautiful experience that lets travelers have both flavors of country life and city life.

Kakani Suryachaur Day Hike Highlights:

  • Spectacular views of Mt. Manaslu, Mt.Ganesh Himal
  • Shivapuri National Park
  • Diverse flora and fauna
  • Experience country and city life

Champadevi Day Hike

With an eye-catching view of Himalayan Ranges such as Mt. Everest, Ganesh Himal, Annapurna, and Langtang, all set in verdant forest, Champadevi Day Hike feels like the beaten path experience walking through the local settlement inhabitant by Newari ethnic people of an ancient city, Kritipur and Taudha Lake to the eminent pilgrimage site of Hindu and Buddhist people.

The beautiful picturesque trail takes hikers from Kritipur to Champadevi rewarding with a less-traveled location after a short drive to Kritipur from Kathmandu.

Champa Devi Day Hike Highlights:

  • Champa Devi Hill station (2285m)
  • Offers bird’s eye view of Kathmandu valley
  • Traversing Newari traditional settlements
  • Feels like in nature

Nagarkot Day Hike via Changunarayan Temple

Nagarkot Day Hike via Changunarayan Temple is an excellent day hiking on the periphery of the Kathmandu valley which aims to have a stunning sunrise view from the Nagarkot viewpoint. This hike is a getaway from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu that let hikers explore the popular Nagarkot hill station with a majestic Himalayan range which includes Mahalangur Range (Everest Range), Ganesh Himal Range, Annapurna Range, Manaslu Range, Langtang Range, Rolwaling range, Numbur range, and Jugal range.

Nagarkot Day Hike via Changunarayan Templeis an absolute trip for those who wish to get a taste of trekking in Nepal, and visit Changunarayan, the oldest Temple of Kathmandu Valley which is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage sites introduce rich architecture with embossed work. One can reach Nagarkot within an hour of scenic drive from Kathmandu. At 4:30 early in the morning, you will start your trek so that you don’t miss the beautiful sunrise and about 4 to 5 hrs. of a hike from Nagarkot leads you to Changu Narayan Temple.

Nagarkot Day Hike via Changunarayan Temple Highlights:

  • View sunrise from Nagarkot hill station
  • Traverse Changu Narayan, the oldest Temple of Kathmandu
  • Grab a view of 8 Himalayan Ranges out of 13 from Nagarkot
  • Introducing Natural and cultural heritage

Nagarkot Day Hike via Sakhu to Changu Narayan

This is also another popular Nagarkot Day Hike package via Sakhu to Changu Narayan Temple. This one-day hike is brimming with natural beauties which don’t only let travelers indulge in nature but also let travelers catch a beguiling view of 8 Himalayan Ranges of Nepal out of 13 Himalayan Range such as Annapurna Range, Manaslu Range, Ganesh Himal Range, Langtang Range, Jugal Range, Rolwaling Range, Mahalangur Range (Everest Range), Numbur Range. Besides that, Sankhu town rewards you with its authentic Newari culture, along with rich rituals and traditions.

Nagarkot Day hike via Sankhu to Changu Narayan hike starts with a scenic drive to Sankhu from Kathmandu, after that your hike officially begins with walking through the humming jungle to Nagarkot. Traversing through the Changu Narayan, you then wrap up your one-day Hike, entering the colorful alley and chaotic streets of Kathmandu.

Nagarkot Day Hike via Sakhu to Changu Narayan highlights:

  • Magnificent views of Himalayan Ranges
  • Scout traditional Newari village of Sakhu
  • Catch the sunrise view Observe Changu Narayan Temple
  • Sankhu, the ancient Newari town of Kathmandu

Best Time for One day Hike

If you choose the right season which is during fall and spring, you can easily see the mountain peaks from Kathmandu Valley. Basically, it is September-November and March to April. The one-day hike starts with a drive to the trailhead from where you will start hiking. You can also check out our Day tour and sightseeing, for a wander around the ancient old temple and architectural building engraved with magnificent handiworks and erotic woodcarving.

Things You Need to Carry

Just because you are hiking for a day doesn’t mean you don’t need anything. No matter how long or short your trial may be, you always need a few things.

  • Backpack
  • A lightweight fleece jacket or top Hiking boots
  • Water bottle (always keep hydrating) and Food
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen

Conclusion:

Nepal Adventure Team is offering various Nepal Tours including the top 10 best one-day hiking places near Kathmandu. Go check it out all by clicking the link mentioned above.

Thank you and good luck with your one-day hike.

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