Day 1 – Kathmandu – Namobuddha – Dhulikhel
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours drive and 3 hours trekking
Altitude 1,600m
After breakfast, you’ll leave the bustle of Kathmandu behind and drive to the sacred hilltop site of Namobuddha, which means ‘Worship to the Buddha’. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the valley, especially for Tibetan Buddhists. The bright white dome of the stupa is surrounded by rainbow prayer flags, set against the distant peaks of the snow-capped Himalayas.
Take some time to soak up the peaceful surroundings before setting off on your first hike. The trail winds gently through forest, terraced fields and small villages as you walk towards Dhulikhel. It’s an easy introduction to trekking in Nepal, with wide views across the hills. Dhulikel is a beautifully preserved Newari town made up of traditional stone houses reaching 4-5 storeys high. Traditionally, they’re home to large families with often as many as 50 relatives all living under one roof. You’ll stay in a small hotel on the outskirts of town with great views of the surrounding mountains. The views are particularly beautiful at sunrise.
Day 2 – Dhulikhel – Nagarkot
Duration: approx. 6 hours trekking
Altitude 2,195m
Today is your longest, and most challenging trekking day, but also one of the most rewarding. It’s a scenic hike along fertile terraces, passing through rural settlements. On clear days, the Himalayan peaks stretch out in front of you as you make your way towards Nagarkot, the highest point in the Kathmandu Valley. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive at your hotel. Relax and be rewarded by panoramic views of the Himalayas as the sun sets.
Day 3 – Nagarkot – Changu Narayan – Bhaktapur
Duration: approx. 3 hours trekking and 1 hour drive
Altitude 1,400m
This morning, you’ll descend on foot towards Changu Narayan, home to one of Nepal’s oldest Hindu temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After exploring the temple complex and its surroundings, you’ll continue by car to the beautifully preserved medieval town of Bhaktapur.
Your afternoon is free to wander through Bhaktapur’s atmospheric squares and narrow alleyways. Throughout the town you’ll find medieval buildings with beautiful wood carvings and, as the town is largely pedestrianised, it feels like a huge open-air museum. You’ll sleep in a traditional-style hotel right in the historic heart of the city.
Day 4 – Departure from Bhaktapur
After a quiet night in Bhaktapur, you can enjoy a lazy breakfast on the rooftop terrace of your guesthouse. Looking out over the square, you’ll see the locals passing by with wooden carts, selling flowers and chatting on the temple steps. After breakfast, your driver will take you back to Kathmandu.
Accommodation
