Kathmandu valley Cultural trekking
The main
purpose for the development of this trekking trail was firstly to introduce
this pristine wilderness area and open up the rich opportunities for cultural
tourism for tourists; the convenient location and ease of access make it one of
the best budget treks for those with limited time in Nepal. Secondly the other
reason is to bring tourism into “economically improvised” rural communities by
helping them set up tourism business and by encouraging tourists to come along
and use the facilities. Our aim here is to help spread income generated from
tourism across the board to all communities of Nepal. We strongly believe by
encouraging this kind of environmentally responsible tourism to rural
communities we can build a bright and prosperous future for tourism within
Nepal’s rural communities and help to sustain a pristine environment at the
same time.
Altitude
This is a low
altitude trek. You will not go above 2500 meters and should not experience any
problem with altitude related illnesses. You need no previous high altitude
experience to attempt this trek.
Trekking grade
Moderate: - this trek is fairly easy, but these
distances covered by quite long climbs. You will need a good Level to fitness
and stamina to complete to this trek.
Trekking
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Thribhuwan
international airport receipt and transfer to Hotel O/N Kathmandu.
Day 02: Sightseeing
in Kathmandu Valley O/N Hotel
Day 03: After
breakfast drive to Sundarijal and
trek to Chisapani via Sivapuri Nagarjung national park entrance get, Kolthupa,
Mulkharka, Deurali, Borlang Bhanjyang (2500m).
Day 04: Chisapani to Nagarkot via shivapuri
Nagarjung national park, Jhulay, Chauki
Bhanjyang, Naldum.O/N Nagarkot.
Day 05: Nagarkot to Dhulikhel via Jal jalay,
Kashi Bhanjyang, Thanchowk O/N Dhulukhel
Day 06: Dhulikhel to Panauti via devisthan
Kavre bhanjyang, Namobuddha O/N Namobhddha.
Day 07: Namobuddha to Balthali O/N Resort
Day 08: After breakfast walk to Panauti and
drive back to Kathmandu O/N Hotel
Day 09: Free at Kathmandu O/N Hotel
Day 10: Transfer to airport for final departure.
Sundarijal to
Chisapani (16 Km, 6 to 7 hour)
From
the hotel, it’s a short 30 minutes drive through the city, past Bouldanath
Stupa and out into the countryside. Sundarijal is a small bus park and market
square located at the entrance to Shivapuri National Park. The name Sundarijal
means beautiful water and once you start your trek, you will see why. Head off
on a stone stair case, the trail follows the beautiful cascading waterfall and
stream for about an hour in the sub tropical jungle until you reach the small
settlement of Mulkarka, just before here we will pass an army check post where
you need to purchase the Shivapuri entry ticket(250 rupees). Mulkarka is the
last place you can get refreshments and food before Chisopani, so perhaps an
early lunch is in order and make sure you take some snacks and plenty of
drinking water. From here you have a long haul up the stair case, through
farming villages, terraced paddy fields and open grazing fields. Once you reach
the top of the stairs, the trail steadies and we pass through jungle on route
to Chisopani (Cold Water). On arrival, given clear weather you will be greeted
with your first tantalizing views of the Himalaya. Today’s trail is easy to
follow.
Chisapani to Nagarkot
(20km, 7 to 8 hours)
From
Chisopani you trek through the lush forests and through the “Dhaps”, (wet
lands) and out into the rural hillside farming land, given clear weather you
should get fantastic views through most of the day featuring Gauri Shanka,
Shishapangma and Mardi Himal. The trail is a scarcely used army jeep track,
though future plans could see this developed into a main road for entrance to
Gosikunda, the holy pilgrimage lake. After about 7 km of walking, divert form
the main trail and follow a narrow track through a short dense section of
jungle, as you have to skirt around an army camp, there is a little bit of
slipping and sliding involved on the steep track. The track is sign posted to
Jhule, it’s easy to find, on a bend at the top of a short incline, the trail
will be on your right. Below the Army Camp there are a couple of simple tea
shops where you can rest, get refreshments and some hot food, this place is our
recommended lunch spot. Again proceed downhill on a narrow trail that passes
through several farm yards before joining a simple road (currently under
construction) through the terraced rice fields and then into a largish village
of Sano Kaule (Chauni Bhanjyang). Turn right onto the road once you have passed
the school and follow this road for around 3km until you come to another
village, Jowshin Pouwa, where you may encounter some traffic. Follow the road
to the left and traverse around the rim of a spectacular valley to your left.
This section of road is fairly flat and passes through pockets of pine forests
and small villages. After about 3.5km, join another main jeep track at Kartikki
Bhanyjang. Head to the cluster of houses and shops in front of you as you join
the main jeep track this is another good place for refreshments. At the end of
the village, follow the main road, not the left folk, uphill for the final 3 km
climb to Nagarkot. If you are unsure of the way at any stage, once you leave
Jhule, there will be plenty of people around to ask the way to “Nagarkot”. As
you near the top of this road you will start to see a few hotels, from here to
reach the main town and the budget hotels you must follow the road for another
20 minutes until you reach a tarred road and a cluster of cheaper hotels. This
bustling hill station is one of the main tourist attractions for foreigners and
locals alike as a viewing station for the Himalaya.
Nagarkot to Dhulikhel
(20km, 7 to 8 hours
Today’s
walk is long and there are very few options for food and water, so we recommend
that you carry enough of both with you for the trek.
Leave your hotel and head towards Club Himalaya. Below this hotel you will find
a small walking trail which cuts across the hillside and takes you towards
Rhonnie Bhangyang. The views of the Panckhal Valley to your left are very good,
and given clear weather you should again get memorable views of the mid
Himalaya, included Everest. Follow the rugged, little used jeep track until you
come to a flat spot of land and a couple of farm houses. This is Rhonnie
Bhangyang. Follow the road straight, do not take the left or right turnings.
Climb up a short sharp hill and arrive at an intersection with another jeep
track. Take the left turn and follow this road along the ridge. After about a
kilometer, a small trail on the right takes you down into the next valley.
Don’t follow the main jeep track back down into the valley below Nagarkot, you
want to keep Nagarkot over your left shoulder. Follow the track steeply
downhill through the hillside which is dotted with villages. You are aiming for
a vague ridge between two valleys. You will pass through the villages of Kankre
and Tanchok. If you are unsure of the way just ask some locals for directions.
From Tanchok, you will meet another main jeep track that you need to follow to
your right and uphill for around a kilometer to Tusal. Here you need to head
again right to the largish town of Opi where you cross the main jeep track and
head directly to Dhulikhel. The trail meets the Arniko Highway 1km from the
main town of Dhulikhel, at Himalayan Horizons Hotel. To get into town you need
to turn right and head uphill.
Please note that this section of the trek can be confusing with the roads being
developed and ever changing. Note the main villages mentioned in this itinerary
and be sure to repeatedly ask for directions. Don’t forget to take plenty of
food and water, and perhaps pre book your hotel in Dhulikhel so they know you
are coming. Tell them your estimated arrival time as well and that you are
trekking this route from Nagarkot.
Dhulikhel to Namobuddha
/ Balthali (20km 7 to 8 hours)
If
you have the time this leg of the trek is highly rewarding and much worthwhile.
If you want to shorten your day it’s also possible to catch a lift to either
Namobuddha or Karve Bhangyang in a micro, local bus or Taxi. We recommend that
you do this.
On
leaving Dhulikhel you need to pass through the main bazaar and head towards the
picnic ground, it’s easy to find and everyone knows this place, so don’t be
afraid to ask. From here you will see an entrance gate on your left. Here you
can climb the 1000 stairs to the top or take the longer road to the left of the
stairs. Both routes go to the same place. Once at the top you will emerge from
the jungle to a rather barren looking army camp. Look behind you, the views
should be amazing! From the stairs go straight across the jeep track, you will
see on your left a gate and narrow path heading up into the army camp, feel
free to go upwards for another five minutes to visit the Kali Temple and see
the encompassing views of Panchkal Valley, Dhulikhel and the Himalaya. On
returning to the top of the main stair case, head down the steep narrow gully
and rejoin the main jeep track following it to the left. Keep on a left ward
course along a short ridge and head down through the villages to Kavre Bhangyang.
You will be able to see the main highway below you, if you get confused, just
head for that. At the Bhangyang, stock up on water and snacks for the next
7.5km of walking. Head directly across the road and through the gate onto a
dirt road. This road will take you steadily upwards to another largish village
and Bhangyang. From here it’s about 2 km, keeping to the road to Namobuddha,
once you top a crest you will be able to see the impressive Monastery in front
of you. Here you can find some places to take lunch. If you are tired it’s also
possible to find simple lodgings here either, up at the main Monastery or in
the simple guest house at the Stupa, further back up the road you came down is
Namobuddha Resort.
From
Namobuddha there are several ways to get to Balthali Village; you should allow
around three hours covering the next 10 km. The easiest way is to follow the
road down to the small Stupa and keep going downhill on this road (take the
fork about 100 meters before the Stupa). About 2.5km of downhill and another 3
km of uphill and flat walking bring you to Sancu Village, at the bottom of a
downhill section; you need to take the small track to the left hand side.
Following this trail through the beautiful orange farming villages, you will
come across a newly constructed road, should it fork off, take the most direct
forward route, staying on the side of the hill and don’t go up or down.
Eventually this road will end and you will see a river and suspension bridge
far below you. You must proceed carefully down the foot trail to the bridge and
climb steeply up the other side for about 20 min. At the top you will come to
gap in a hedge, go through the gap and turn left onto the trail. Follow this to
the village. Once in the village you need to head to Balthali Resort, the only
accommodation in the area. Follow the road straight for about ten minutes then
take a left turn and walk steadily uphill. You should be able to see the resort
on the hill top in front of you. Ask the friendly local villages for help if
you get lost. The last 10 minutes climbs steeply upwards on an earthen
staircase that brings you to the Resort and your well earned rest for the
night.