Nagarkot to Dhulikhel hike

Nagarkot to Dhulikhel hike

Are you tired staying in Kathmandu?

Do you like to try to see the snowcapped mountains?

Do you like to see and discover the villages nearby Kathmandu?

Do you love a day hike nearby Kathmandu?

All your questions above are answered by doing the Nagarkot to Dhulikhel hike. The people who are already in Nagarkot or who plan to go to Nagarkot and have some extra days can do this hike. If you are traveling in Nepal and want to discover the village lifestyle and setting, want to stretch your feet out of the town, pass some time on the nature this could be the best hike for you.

Highlights of the Nagarkot-Dhulikhel hike

Can see the local lifestyle in the villages and considered an excellent opportunity to interact with the people from the villages,

Great terraced landscapes,

Easily accessible from Kathmandu,

No entrance fees except to enter Nagarkot,

Opportunity to observe the Langtang range from Nagarkot, Dhulikhel and even from the trail,

Nagarkot and Dhulikhel both towns have decent accommodations so no need to compromise your comfort like many other hikes.

Duration of the hike

It is very tough deal to tell the exact hours but for normal hikers it takes up to eight hours including an hour lunch break. The time vary with photography time, weather etc.

The condition of the trail

At the beginning from Nagarkot, a rough road which might be little muddy if it rains, once you enter the villages the trail is perfect and the last part has beautiful pine forest. At the beginning there is opportunity to observe rhododendrons, the national flower from Nepal, they blossom during March April. To check beautiful rhododendron forest the best route is Ghorepani-Poonhill trek.

The Lunch Place during this hike

There are some small local restaurants in Kashi Bhanjyang and nearby village otherwise it is always a great idea to take a packed lunch. If you accommodate with any small local restaurant with simple fresh foods it will be fine eating in these places.

Drinking water during the hike

Better to buy a bottle at Nagarkot as there are very less shops on the way, you can grab an extra bottle if you need at the lunch place.

The cost of the hike

The cost depends with transport arrangement as one need to reach Nagarkot and need to be picked up from Dhulikhel. You can write us telling your transport requirements.

Can I use public transport?

Not that comfortable as there is no direct bus going to Nagarkot from Kathmandu. One has to switch from Bhakatapur. The local bus to Nagarkot from Bhaktapur departs from Kamalbinayak every half hour and extremely crowded. If you have thin pocket you can give a try but consider reaching Nagarkot before 10 AM otherwise it is very hard to reach Dhulikhel on time.

Do I need a guide?

Probably yes because the way is so confusing in some place and as they are constructing small access to every village the ancient trails are abandoned. The trail is not well marked. If you get accompanied by your guide you feel much better navigating the routes. Some villages the local people have limited English proficiency.

The alternative routes

Instead of going down to Dhulikhel you can go to Nala, which will be two hours shorter than going to Dhulikhel. There is access of transport at Nala. A blacktopped road reach Nala and your transport can pick you up from Nala. If you are taking public transport the buses from Nala only goes to Banepa and takes another bus from Banepa to Dhulikhel.

We have our popular trek starting from Sundarijal, Chisapani-Nagarkot trek can be extended to Dhulikhel or you can continuously walk from Sundarijal to Panauti.

If you want just the nature hike and easily accessible hike nearby Kathmandu you might be interested in Jamacho hikewhich is even shorter but climbs higher. Our hike to Nagigumba gives an opportunity to observe a beautiful nunnery located inside the Shivapuri-Nagarjuna national park.