Chisapani Nagarkot Trek

How does our trip start?

Our Chisapani Nagarkot Trek starts with a drive to Sundarijal, a famous countryside site full of waterfalls. This is where our trek will start; it is also the entrance to the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Every visitor has to pay an entry fee at the entrance gate, which will be covered by our standard trek package. From there, we will trek to Chisapani, our first night’s stay destination of the journey. This is how our trip will start.

Difficulty

The Chisapani Nagarkot Trek is not difficult at all, in fact, this trek is one of the easiest, perhaps the easiest trekking destination near Kathmandu. This trek lasts just 3 days and covers just about 40 km in total. The route we follow on this journey is very easy as well; zero difficult ascents or tricky narrow paths. On a scale of 10, Glory Adventure’s guides rate it a mere 4. Even elderly people and kids can join this trek without any problem, but make sure that they are able to walk without any major issues.

We have sent a bunch of families on this Chisapani Nagarkot Trek and have only received positive feedback after they return from this beautiful journey. Most people mention the easy yet rewarding route with beautiful scenes all along.

Best seasons

March to May is the spring season in Nepal, one of the best seasons for the Chisapani Nagarkot Trek. During this time of the year, you will experience a mild daytime temperature ranging from 16°C to 24°C, along with clear skies that offer an unobstructed view of the Himalayas in the north. Peaks like Ganesh Himal, Rolwaling Himalayan range, Gauri Shankar, Langtang, and more will be visible at different points along the trek.

The spring season is also the season for the blooming of flowers, meaning you will get to enjoy a vibrant nature along the forested trails of this Chisapani Nagarkot Trek itinerary. The forests will turn lush during this season, and some festivals are celebrated during this season as well. You might just get to see traditional celebrations in Kathmandu or during the trekking days.

The other best season for this trek is the Autumn season, spanning from September to November. Since this season comes after the monsoon period in Nepal, the air quality is the best of any season. The rain washes away any remains of smog or dust in the air, offering the clearest mountain views.

The daytime temperature during this season is a bit cooler than spring, ranging from 12°C to 19°C, while the nighttime is significantly cooler. In general, this season is a dry period of the year, offering dry trails (non-slippery) and no muddy patches. The autumn season is also the main festival season in Nepal. The biggest festival of Nepal, Dashain, occurs during this season, along with the festival of lights, Tihar.

Altitude Sickness

As per scientific research, altitude sickness usually starts from an elevation of 3500 meters. When someone climbs to a higher elevation too quickly and spends the night there without properly following the preventive measures of altitude sickness, they are likely to get this sickness in the morning. However, the effects of altitude sickness at 3500 to 5000 meters of elevation are not very considerable, you can just walk it off by dropping down a couple of hundred meters of elevation.

The real deal begins after crossing the 5000-meter mark. If you contract altitude sickness at such a high elevation, you will feel very miserable as the effects of this illness hold the power to completely stop your progress. You might even have to be evacuated by emergency helicopter service.

However, you are in safe hands, since this trek does not even reach a maximum elevation of 2500 meters. The highest point of the Chisapani Nagarkot Trek is 2175 meters above sea level at Nagarkot hill station. There are zero chances of your getting altitude sick during this trek.

Accommodation, Food and Drink

Accommodation during the trekking days differs from night to night. On your first night of the trek, in Chisapani, you will be staying at local lodges, inns, or tea houses. These are your only options for the night. During your second night on the trek, at Nagarkot, you will have the option of a standard stay at a 3-star hotel or an upgrade to a luxury resort or hotel. This upgrade will come at a price, non-inclusive of the standard Chisapani Nagarkot Trek package.

Your accommodation in Kathmandu will not be arranged or covered by this trek package, but we can work it out at a price, if you prefer to. Your standard stay in Kathmandu will be at 3-star hotels with plenty of upgrades available. Note that every accommodation we arrange for you will be on a “Bed & Breakfast” basis. Our standard Chisapani Nagarkot Trek package will not cover your lunch and dinner expenses.

The food options during this trek will be a blend of traditional Nepalese dishes and common international food such as pasta, sandwiches, pancakes, spaghetti, etc. During your night in Chisapani, you will get more traditional food options, while in Nagarkot, you can enjoy a range of cuisines.

Your breakfast options are porridge, pancakes, eggs prepared in different ways, toast, muesli, cornflakes, etc. Meanwhile, your lunch and dinner options are Dal Bhat, momo, noodles, fried rice, macaroni, different types of curries, pizza, burgers, spaghetti, etc. Compared to other trekking destinations, this trek offers a range of drink options including Masala Tea, Black/Milk/Green tea, Hot chocolate, ground coffee items, hot lemon, lemonade, cold drinks, alcoholic drinks, etc.

We recommend you carry a day pack so that you have easy access to your essentials, such as a reusable water bottle, energy bars, electronic devices, sunglasses, sun screen, hand sanitizer, water purification tablets, and more. If you have any dietary restrictions, please make sure to inform us at the start of the trek so we can arrange your meals accordingly. Some restrictions might have you rely on packaged and canned food for the whole trek.

Transportation

A jeep ride from Kathmandu to Sundarijal, the starting point of this Chisapani Nagarkot Trek, and a jeep ride back to Kathmandu from Changu Narayan Temple, the end point of the trek. These are all the transportation expenses covered by the standard trek package. You do not have to pay for these services separately, unless you want to tip the driver. If you add the Kathmandu day tour to this journey, we will also cover your day sightseeing transportation expenses. Your flights to and from Nepal are not a part of the package.

Permit

You do not require any permits for the Chisapani Nagarkot Trek, you just need to purchase an entry ticket at the entrance of the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. This cost will be covered by the trek package.

Trip preparation and fitness

As previously stated, this trek is one of the easiest trekking experiences near Kathmandu. This means that the preparation process is very easy; you just have to work out about 2 to 3 weeks before the scheduled start of the Chisapani Nagarkot Trek. You can just focus on easy and light cardio exercises, or just do a few kilometers of jogging 5 to 6 days a week. This will prepare you well for the upcoming trekking days, allowing you to focus on the scenes rather than the kilometers remaining to reach the daily destination.

Alternative routes

There are a handful of options when it comes to this trek. For instance, you have the 4-Day Chisapani Nagarkot Trek. This route takes us on a drive to Sundarijal on the first day, with a trek to Chisapani. Followed by a trek to Nagarkot on day 2, trek to Dulikhel on the 3rd day, and finishing it off with an exploration day in Dulikhel.

Another great alternative route is the 6-Day Chisapani Helambu Trek. This itinerary starts with a drive to Sundarijal and a trek to Chisapani on the first day. On day 2, you will trek to Kutumsang, followed by a trek to Thadepati on the 3rd day. The following day, we will trek to Tarkeghyang, spend the night there, and trek to Sermanthang the next morning. On the last day of the trek, we will get down to Melamchi Bazaar and drive back to Kathmandu.

The 5-Day Shivapuri National Park is a viable option as well. This itinerary starts with a drive to Budhanilkantha and a trek to Nagi Gompa. The next day, we will trek to Shivapuri National Park and spend the night in Chisapani, followed by a trek to Nagakot on day 3. The following day, we will trek to Changu Narayan Temple, spend the night in Kathmandu, and go on a sightseeing tour around Bhaktapur on the last day.

Cost & Budget

Our Chisapani Nagarkot Trek will cost your USD __________. This price will cover all your accommodation expenses during the trekking days (excl. upgrades), breakfast every morning, transportation expenses, national park entry fee, local taxes, 3-star hotel stay in Nagarkot, wages for a licensed English-speaking guide, and more. We recommend you carry a handful of cash to pay for your extra expenses throughout the trek.

Gadgets charging & Internet

Since this trek does not wander through remote villages, gadget charging will not be a problem for the most part. However, power outages might stop you from charging your devices. Meanwhile, internet services are readily available throughout the trek since we will not be too far from the city area. The internet connection will be reliable and as good as the ones you can get in the city area.

Your Extra expenses

Although most of the major expenses of this trek are covered by our Chisapani Nagarkot Trek package, there are some things that you must pay separately. These include lunch and dinner throughout the entire trek, extra accommodation, upgraded accommodation, tips for the driver and guide, personal travel insurance, laundry bills, bar bills, etc.

Things to Remember Before Trekking Chisapani Nagarkot Trek

• The daily treks start in the morning hours, preferably 8 or 9 in the morning, since we will be on the trail for 5 to 6 hours daily. So, if you are not a morning person, get habituated to sleeping early
• Even though the naturally spring water is safe to drink, we recommend that international trekkers use water purification tablets throughout the trek.
• Although you get an internet connection at every stage, you will not get mobile networks at every location. The huge hills are an obstacle to connectivity.
• Do not trek to this destination during the winter and monsoon season, it is just not worth it.
• Pack a grippy trekking boot, a pair of trekking poles, sunglasses, sun screen, trekking hats, light trekking wear, and a weather-proof jacket.

Add-Ons

Upgrade Your Accommodation in Kathmandu

Our standard accommodation arrangement is the best value option; it is very comfortable and offers a great range of services. However, 4-star and 5-star hotels offer a luxurious staycation experience that will add to your overall experience of the Chisapani Nagarkot Trek. There are many options for you to choose from, including but not limited to the Hilton Hotel, Radisson, Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu Marriott, and others, during your time in Kathmandu.

Your stay in Chisapani will be at a standard tea house or lodge, there are no other options there. However, as we reach the viewpoint of Nagarkot, the range of accommodation increases. You can upgrade to a luxury resort there.

You must let us know your upgrade preferences during the booking phase, so that we have enough time to arrange your luxury stay with utmost precision. Note that this is an upgrade, not a standard offering of the standard Chisapani Nagarkot Trek package. You will be charged extra for this arrangement.

Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu

The Kathmandu Valley is a great place to explore since it has so much to offer. There are many historical and religious sites that will surely capture your attention. We will visit sites like the Taragaon Museum, Bouddhanath, Bhaktapur Durbar Palace, Swayambhunath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square, and more.

The Taragaon Museum was once a hotel in the 1970s, but at present it has been turned into a museum that showcases the traditional Newari handicrafts and artifacts. Moving on, we will go around the base of the Bouddhnath Stupa, spinning its prayer wheels. From there, we will visit the Bhaktapur Durbar to view the amazing architecture and taste the famous Juju Dhau. This will be followed by a climb to the Monkey Temple, popularly known as Swayambhunath Temple.

This arraignment will include a private vehicle to go around the valley and a tour guide to make sure you know where you are and what you are looking at. Again, this is not a part of the standard Chisapani Nagarkot Trek, you will have to pay for it separately.