Chisapani–Nagarkot 2-Day Trek: Self-Launched from Kathmandu
2 days · Nepal
Peregrine Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd charges £315
No-markup version: ~£50 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
The classic short Himalayan escape out of Kathmandu, done on your own terms: a local bus to Sundarijal, a self-walked trail through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park via the Tamang village of Mulkharka to the ridge hamlet of Chisapani, a night in a family-run teahouse, then a ridge walk to Nagarkot for sunrise views stretching from Dhaulagiri to Everest and Kanchenjunga before a local bus back to the city. No guide, no group minimums — just a national park permit, a good map or offline trail app, and about a quarter of the tour price.
Day-by-day
Kathmandu to Chisapani via Sundarijal and Mulkharka
Kathmandu → Sundarijal → Chisapani
Start early: hop a local Sajha or micro-bus from Ratna Park / Chabahil to Sundarijal (roughly 45–60 min, about £0.50–1). Buy your Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry ticket at the Sundarijal gate (approx. NPR 1,000–1,500 / £6–9 for foreigners — bring cash) and register your details. The trail climbs steadily past the Sundarijal dam and waterworks, then up stone steps through oak and rhododendron forest to the Tamang settlement of Mulkharka (approx. 2.5–3 hrs), where you can stop for dal bhat and tea at a simple local eatery. Continue on the ridge trail to Chisapani (approx. 2–2.5 hrs), watching for langurs and, on clear afternoons, your first Himalayan skyline. Settle into a family-run teahouse in Chisapani, walk to a viewpoint for sunset, and eat a home-cooked dinner. Total walking: 5–6 hrs, moderate. Download an offline map (Maps.me or OpenStreetMap) beforehand — signage is patchy.
🚌Local bus or shared micro-bus from Ratna Park/Chabahil to Sundarijal (~£1); trekking on foot thereafter. Private taxi alternative ~£12–15.
🛏Family-run teahouse/guesthouse in Chisapani (twin or dorm, shared bathroom, blankets provided) — approx. £8–12 per person
- →Local bus Kathmandu–Sundarijal
- →Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park permit and entry
- →Self-guided trek Sundarijal → Mulkharka → Chisapani
- →Sunset from the Chisapani ridge
Chisapani to Nagarkot for Himalayan sunrise, then back to Kathmandu
Chisapani → Chaukai Bhanjyang → Nagarkot → Kathmandu
Get up before dawn for sunrise over the eastern Himalaya from the Chisapani ridge, then walk the mostly level, beautiful ridge trail east through Chaukai Bhanjyang to Nagarkot (approx. 4–5 hrs, 12–14 km, with gentle ups and downs through terraced fields and forest). Drop your pack at a Nagarkot guesthouse or cafe, then head to the Nagarkot View Tower / main viewpoint for the wide panorama — Dhaulagiri and Ganesh Himal to the west, Langtang, Gauri Shankar, Everest and Kanchenjunga on clear days. Eat lunch, then take the local bus from Nagarkot to Bhaktapur (approx. 1 hr, ~£1) and change for Kathmandu (approx. 45–60 min, ~£1); last buses leave Nagarkot mid-afternoon, so don't linger too long — a shared jeep or taxi back is £15–20 if you miss it. Optional: if you'd rather catch sunrise from Nagarkot itself, spend a night there (add ~£10) and return to Kathmandu the next morning.
🚌On foot (~4–5 hrs); local bus Nagarkot–Bhaktapur–Kathmandu (~£2 total); shared jeep/taxi fallback £15–20.
🛏None included — return to your own Kathmandu hostel/hotel (optional Nagarkot guesthouse ~£10 if you extend a night)
- →Sunrise from Chisapani ridge
- →Self-guided ridge trek Chisapani → Chaukai Bhanjyang → Nagarkot
- →Nagarkot Himalayan viewpoint / View Tower
- →Local bus Nagarkot → Bhaktapur → Kathmandu
Self-launched vs. Peregrine Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Peregrine Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£50 | £315 |
| Duration | 2 days | 2 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £265 per person (84%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Peregrine Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd-style trips? Check them out here.~£50
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Chisapani–Nagarkot 2-Day Trek: Self-Launched from Kathmandu cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £50 per person for 2 days in Nepal. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Peregrine Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd?+
Yes — Peregrine Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd charges around £315 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £50 — a saving of roughly £265 (84%) per person.
How long is the Nepal trip?+
This itinerary runs 2 days, covering 2 day-by-day stops through Nepal.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a hiking, adventure, budget trip through Nepal, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.