DAY TRIPS AROUND KATHMANDU

1) Champadevi . . . 2) Phulchowki . . . . 3) Namobuddha . . . 4) Shivapuri

5) Kakani . . . . . . . 6) Nagarkot . . . . . . 7) Trishuli River Rafting

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1. Champadevi hiking (One day program)

It is situated at an elevation of 2285m southwest of Kathmandu. Champadevi is a pilgrimage site having a Buddhist Stupa and a Hindu shrine.
Early in the morning you drive from Kathmandu about an hour to Pharping which is 16 kilometers south of Kathmandu and lies on the way to Dakshinkali Temple.
As you commence to hike the trail heads north along the pine forested ridge about half an hour, then the trail makes round bound towards south and takes another 3-hour's walk to reach Champadevi. The views of central and western Himalayan ranges are magnificent. After enjoying the splendid views, you come down following the same path to Pharping for about 2 hours and drive back to Kathmandu.

Price : US$ 45/- Per person (Minimum 2 pax payable) includes;
Drop to Pharping from where hiking starts,
Hiking guide for day trip
Pack lunch from hotel
Car will be waiting for transfer to hotel in Kathmandu.
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2. Pulchowki hiking (One day program)

Phulchowki is situated at an elevation of 2782m. It is the highest hill in the south of Kathmandu valley. Hiking into this area is most interesting in terms of vegetation.
Early in the morning, you drive from Kathmandu to Godawari. It is 14 km and 45 minutes’ drive where Royal Botanical Garden is located.
From here you start to hike gradually uphill along the rugged motor-able road through sub-tropical thick forest about four hours. The magnificent view of Himalayan ranges and the Kathmandu valley is breath taking on a clear day. After detouring sometimes here, you come down following the same trail to Godawari within two and half hours and drive back to Kathmandu.

Price : US$ 45/- Per person ( Minimum 2 pax payable) includes ;
Drop to Godavari from where hiking starts,
Hiking guide for day trip
Pack lunch from hotel
Car will be waiting for transfer to hotel in Kathmandu.
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3. Namobuddha hiking (One day program)

Namobuddha is situated at an elevation of 1750m. It is very important Buddhist Pilgrimage which lies about 38 kilometers east of Kathmandu. The Stupa and shrines built in this lovely little hill mark a very ancient holy site significantly enough where a legendary prince named Mahasattva offered himself to a starving Tigress with its several underfed cubs. This legendary episode is depicted in a very nice stone slab and depicted right next to a holy Stupa.
Early in the morning, you drive from Kathmandu for about one and half hours to the place called Dhapasi, 35 kilometers east of Kathmandu.
The trail heads northeast and the trail become narrow as you move further. You cross on a suspension bridge and pass through many small villages to huge rice fields, which gives you a chance to see how Nepalese People plant and harvest the crop (during on the appropriate season). The trail goes steep uphill about an hour nearby reaching to Namobuddha. After detouring sometimes here, you will drive to Kathmandu via Dhulikhel in about one & half hours.

Price : US$ 65/- Per person ( Minimum 2 pax payable) includes ;
Drop to Dhapasi, from where hiking starts,
Hiking guide for day trip
Pack lunch from hotel
Car will pick up from Dhulikhel to hotel in Kathmandu.
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4. Shivapuri hiking from Budhanilkantha via Nangi Gompa (One day program)

Shivapuri situated at an elevation of 2563m north of Kathmandu is the second highest hill around Kathmandu valley. Bagdwar, source of holy river Bagmati, is located near Shivapuri.
Early in the morning, you drive from Kathmandu to Muhan Pokhari for about 30 minutes. After checking the formalities at the Shivapuri entrance gate, you enter Shivapuri watershed and wildlife area. You commence your hike from the southern boundary of the area where the army check-post is located. The trail goes along the rugged motor-able road through pine and cherry forest up to Nangi Gompa within one and half hours, where a nunnery monastery is located. Beyond the monastery, the trail goes steep uphill through the oak, rhododendron and bamboo forest for another three hours.
From here one can enjoy the beauty of snowy Himalayas such as Ganesh Himal, Langtang-Lirung, Dorji Lhakpa and you take a shortcut downhill to Budhanilkantha in about two and half hours and drive back to Kathmandu.

Price : US$ 55/- Per person ( Minimum 2 pax payable) includes ;
Drop to Muhan Pokhari from where hiking starts,
Hiking guide for day trip
Pack lunch from hotel
Car will pick up from Budhanilkantha to hotel in Kathmandu.
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5. Kakani to Bhanjyang hike (One day program)

This is an interesting hike through oak, rhododendron and pine forest. Early in the morning, you drive from Kathmandu to Kakani (2073m), 32km north of Kathmandu about one hour. From here the trail leads to the east along graveled motor-able road. The entire trail goes almost on a level path. You hike about three hours to Bhanjyang including about 20 minutes steep climb before you reach there.
After detouring sometimes here, you retrace the same way back to Kakani in about two and half hours and drive back to Kathmandu.

Price : US$ 65/- Per person ( Minimum 2 pax payable) includes ;
Drop to Kakani from where hiking starts,
Hiking guide for day trip
Pack lunch from hotel
Car will pick up from Kakani to hotel in Kathmandu.
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6. Nagarkot hike (One day program)

You can spend your time amidst the natural surroundings of Nagarkot. This will offer you panoramic views of Himalayas. In the clear weather the Himalaya range, stretching from Dhaulagiri in the west all the way past Everest to Kanchenjunga in the east, emerges from the darkness to greet the happy visitor with its awe inspiring majesty and beauty. The village of Nagarkot is on the edge of the valley and offers superb views of the mountains as well as Kathmandu valley.
Early in the morning, you drive from Kathmandu to Sankhu which takes approximately one hour. Now you hike from Sankhu to Nagarkot and it takes about three and half hours.

At Nagarkot, you enjoy delicious lunch. Rest of the hiking goes from Nagarkot to Changunarayan and it takes about three hours. The most popular walk leads down from Nagarkot along a ridge to the temple of Changunarayan-with views of Sankhu village to the right and Bhaktapur to the left. Changunarayan is situated at the end of a long ridge which runs well into the valley, it is said to have been built in 323 AD by King Hari Datta Varma. The temple, famous for its architecture is richly decorated with sculptures and carvings. It is said to be the oldest temple in the valley. After excursion in and around Changunarayan you board the vehicle to get back to Kathmandu which takes one and half hours.

Price : US$ 65/- Per person ( Minimum 2 pax payable) includes ;
Drop to Sankhu from where hiking starts,
Hiking guide for day trip
Pack lunch from hotel
Car will pick up from Changu to hotel in Kathmandu.
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7. Trishuli River Rafting

The Trisuli River is Nepal's most popular rafting river. Among features are its impressive gorges, exciting rapids, some easier sections, and easily accessible from Kathmandu and Pokhara. It is truly recommended for intermediate kayakers and those wanting a cheap white water trip.
Not far from the source the Trisuli joins the Budhi Gandaki that flows from Tibet. The two rivers joining in some pretty fearsome looking gorges that are visible on the way up to the Langtang Trek. The Budhi Gandaki river, the Marsyandi and the Seti river ads to its flow.

This river trip will give you a full and satisfying experience - you run all the major rapids, watch the river grow as its tributaries join, marvel as it cuts its way through impressive gorges, then leave it when it spreads out over the great plain of the Ganges.

Day Rafting Program
Drive from Kathmandu which takes about 3 hours to Charaundi – 72 km.
You set out for your journey early morning to Charaundi, put in point for this river trip. Here you will be explained by an experienced guide about general information regarding the trip.
Now you raft from Chauraundi to Kurintar. It can be best classified as having 2 to 3 grades which is according to the rapids you encounter.

You can enjoy your lunch on a river side beach best featured with its unique sculptured boulders. Afterwards you have to enter the Trishuli gorge. As the canyon narrows the walls becomes steep, densely, forested and along with this the current speeds up and the rapids increase in the size and frequency. During rafting you are utterly mesmerized with the cool breeze and captivating sceneries around you.

Price :
US$ 75/- Per person ( Minimum 2 pax payable) includes ;
- Drop to Charaudi (82 Kms/2 hrs drive) from where Rafting starts,
- River side beach cold lunch
- Car will pick up from Kuringhat to hotel in Kathmandu.
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Important Note: All the above rates are only for rough idea and subject to reconfirmation from Kundalini Travel Nepal for specific season.