Sundarijal Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking Route that i followed during Chispani Nagarkot trek

Sundarijal Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking Route is one of the popular hiking routes near Kathmandu. These 2 nights’ hiking trails offer an amazing view of the Kathmandu Valley, Snowy mountain peaks, and dramatic landscapes. Walking inside the Shivapuri Nagarjuna National Park will let you enjoy the beauty of nature and the lifestyle of wild animals.

Sundarijal means beautiful water. Sundari means beautiful, and Jal means water in the Nepali language, so Sundarijal means beautiful water. This beautiful tourist place is 15KM northeast of the heart of Kathmandu Thamel. And this is the starting point of the Sundarijal Nagarkot Hiking trail.

Chispani means cold water. Chisa means cold, and Pani means water in the local language, so Chispani means Coldwater. Therefore, imagine how cold it is there? ….. It’s just a little joke, although a bit colder than Kathmandu. Chispani is the place where hikers will spend the first night of the Chisapani Nagarkot Trek. From here, you can enjoy a panoramic glimpse of the snowy mountain peaks.

Nagarkot is a beautiful hilltop that offers breathtaking mountain views, including the top of the world, Mt. Everest. This place is the chill-out place for the people of Kathmandu Valley, and used to be a place of the summer place of the royal family. Located 32KM from the center of Kathmandu with an elevation of 2100m above sea level.

Day 1: Drive to Sundarijal and Trek to Chisapani

I caught a bus from Ratna Park to Sundarijal; traveling on a local bus is always fun. With different types of music, people are talking in different languages. Luckily, the person sitting near me was also a Tamang, so we also chatted in the Tamang Language; he was also traveling to Mulkharka to his hometown.

After around one and a half hours, I reach Sundarijal Bus Park, from where I have to start my journey to Chispani. Before beginning the walk, I drank a cup of tea and ate some cookies. Then the hike could commence to Mulkharka, the first and last village before Chispani. Along the way, I met some other people, they are just going to hike a bit to the water dam and the surroundings of Sundarijal.

After around half an hour, I reach the Ticket counter, where I have to buy permits to get entry in the Sundarijal Chispani Nagarkot Hiking Trail. I bought a ticket, and that cost 100 rupees. While walking on the way before starting to climb up, there is a water reservoir for the Kathmandu Valley. Climbing via Mulkharka, I enjoyed the bird’s-eye view of Kathmandu Valley. And at the last restaurant in the village, I ate some fried noodles.

Then the voyage continues to Banjyang inside the deep forest and follows the walking trail to Chisapani. While walking there, the sound of my movement, birds, and the wind refreshes me and gives me more stamina to reach Chisapani. From Banjyang, I walked down to Chisapani, and I met a couple who were hiking the same trail. They were nice and friendly folk, and we spent the night at Chisapani at the same hotel.

Day 2 Chispani to Nagarkot – The longest Day of the Sundarijal Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking 

The next day, after breakfast, I said goodbye to that beautiful couple and followed the road to Nagarkot. In Chisapani, I showed my permit at the checkpoint and then continued the hike into the wilderness. After some time, I passed a beautiful lake in the middle of the Jungle and I spent some time there. That lake is really beautiful in the middle of the jungle and surrounded by hills.

Then my hike continued inside the jungle, while walking, I heard the birds chirping sounds; sometimes deer hisses, these all things made me feel in nature. The first village I reached was Jhule, and I continued my descent to Chauki Banjyang. I stopped there for lunch and spent some time there. Then follow the road to Nagarkot. Most of the time I walked on the road, and sometimes there were shortcuts, and I walked there.

Passing the typical villages and meeting with I can folk, talking with them, and following to my destination was so memorable. After 7 hours of ups and downs, I reach Nagarkot. In Nagarkot, I stayed at the Stupa Resort because I knew the manager of that place. Spent a delightful evening with delicious Dal Bhat and went to bed early because I was so tired after a long day’s walk.

Nagarkot is a junction to meet different hiking trails, such as the Sankhu Nagarkot Hike, the Changunarayan Nagarkot Hike, and the Sundarijal Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking route. Because this place is at the top of the hill and offers breathtaking mountain and landscape vistas. Also, here are some world-class hotels and restaurants that offer the best hospitality.

Day 3: Early morning hike to the Viewpoint and trek down to Changunarayan.

I wake up early at 5 am to hike to the Nagarkot viewpoint for the sunrise viewpoint. When I reached the viewpoint, there were already many visitors for the sunrise view. I climbed up to the tower for the view, but the cloud was not the fever of me and stayed there for around an hour. Finally, the mountains are appearing are enjoying the view.

Then I returned to the hotel and ate breakfast; until then, the rain was getting better. Checked out from the hotel, and the journey begins to descend to Changunarayan. The landscape was incredible with the snowy peaks in the distance. Rice fields, typical houses with modernization, are kissing the local lifestyle. Temples, stupas, and Monasteries along the way stand to show you the culture and tradition of the area.

My first stop was at Telkot, drinking a cup of milk tea, and turning to the right to Changunarayan. Climb up to the jungle and meet some travelers walking the same destination. Share each other’s hiking experiences and ultimately reach Changunarayan.

Changunarayan is a Hindu Temple and this site is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This beautiful Temple is a Historically and architecturally very significant site of Nepal.

Require a permit for Sundarijal Chisapani Nagarkot hiking

Sundarijal Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking Route is inside the Shivapuri Nagarjuna National Park. So, that needs to purchase this National Park entry permit just above the Sundarijal. And this permit will be checked in Chisapani and Jhule at the national park offices.

Nepali Citizen Rs. 100 per day per person

SAARC Nationalities Rs. 600 per day per person

Other countries Rs. 1000 per day per person

If you want to take your vehicle, you need to pay extra for that.

Mountain Bike/ Cycle Rs. 20 per vehicle/per day/per entry

Motorbike Rs. 150 per vehicle/per day/per entry

Car/Jeep/Taxi/Van Rs. 400 for each vehicle/per day/per entry

Minibus/Bus/Truck Rs. 500 for each vehicle/per day/per entry. For more details, you can visit the website of the Shivapuri Nagarjuna National Park. 

Conclusion: Sundarijal Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking

Sundarijal to Chisapani and Nagarkot is one of the best short treks near Kathmandu. Which offers the best hiking and trekking expereice in Kathmandu without traveling for long days. As i guide i have done it many time by leading many hikers from many diffetent country. Walking through the lush forests, typical villages, and easy hiking trails makes Chisapani Nagrkot Trek is one of the best trekking route in Nepal. This hike is suitble for beginner to the pro hikers who want to spend weekend in neture by few days walk.