Kathmandu Valley Rim Tour
- Duration
- 8 days
- Max altitude
- 2,215 m
- Difficulty
-
Easy
Difficulty scale
- Easy Short walking days on good trails below about 3,000 m. Suitable for anyone in ordinary health, including families.
- Moderate 5 to 6 hours a day with some steep sections, reaching up to about 4,000 m. A reasonable level of fitness and a few weeks of preparation walking recommended.
- Strenuous 6 to 8 hours a day, high passes or altitudes above 5,000 m, and remote stretches. Good fitness, prior trekking experience and proper acclimatisation days are essential.
- Very strenuous Long days, multiple high passes or technical sections, sustained time above 5,000 m. For experienced, well-conditioned trekkers only.
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Nov) · Monsoon (Jun–Aug) · Spring (Mar–May) · Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Group
- Private
- From
- $1,040.00
Overview
A short walking circuit on the hills that ring the valley: Nagarkot, Chisapani and Dhulikhel. Himalayan views on a clear morning, forest and terraced farmland the rest of the time, and never far from a road if plans change.
Every departure is private and led by a government-licensed Nepali guide, so the plan flexes to your party and to the mountain. Permits, park fees and local taxes are inside the price you see.
Trip highlights
- Sunrise over the Himalaya from Nagarkot
- Forest and terrace walking on the valley rim
- Short days, comfortable lodges
- No altitude, close to Kathmandu
Day by day
The itinerary
-
Day 1: Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (1,400 m) and transfer to hotel 1,400 m Hotel
You may arrive at the airport at any time. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted and welcomed by one of our representatives who will help you get transferred to the hotel and will explain further programs
to you. You do not have anything planned for the day, thus you may just check into the hotel and relax for the remainder of time. Overnight stay at 5 star hotel in Kathmandu. -
Day 2: Pre-trip meeting and Drive to Kakani (2,100 m) and ride to Dandaganun (Budanilkantha) 2,100 m
We host a pre-trip meeting at your hotel in Kathmandu which includes a final briefing and preparations for the trip. After the meeting, we prepare our equipment and backpack and then ride off to Kakani.
We head through the bustling back streets of Thamel and on to good wide undulating jeep tracks alongside the Nagarjun forest. On the way, taste the delicious trout fish farmed locally – which gives the
route the name “Trout Highway”. We bike mostly uphill to Kakani, which is at 2,100m in elevation. Once at our destination, we enjoy the stunning views of the Ganesh and Langtang mountains -
Day 3: Ride to Chisapani (2,215 m) from Budanilkantha 2,215 m Teahouse
The early morning breakfast prepares us for the long day ahead. We head out on the trail from Budanilknatha toward Shivapuri National Park. The paved uphill road will give way to an off-road jeep track
once we enter the Shivapuri National Park and then we head towards Mulkharka from where we follow the jeep track up and down into the heart of the national park.Part of the route is on the Helambu trekking trail. Our final destination is Chisapani which rounds off a challenging day. The village is a mixed settlement of Brahmins, Gurungs, and Sherpas. The village
also commands a beautiful view of the large section of the Himalayan range, which emits an ethereal glow in the setting sunlight. -
Day 4: Ride to Nagarkot (1,932 m) from Chisapani 1,932 m Hotel
Early morning after having breakfast, we now move towards Nagarkot riding down the jeep trail 12 km and passing through the jungle and mountains on the North as a backdrop till the next junction where
we rest for lunch—descending down up to a jeep trail onto a smooth path for 7km. Riding upwards we reach Nagarkot, another hill station with a splendid view of the Himalayas and sunset in the background. -
Day 5: Ride to Namobuddha (1,750 m) from Nagarkot via Dhulikhel (1,550 m) 1,750 m
Today we ride past the narrow roads toward Dhulikhel. Passing through the different jungles and riding downhill, along beautiful small villages head off to Nala from where the road leads you to the historical
town of Dhulikhel. From Dhulikhel, we ride on the route to the sacred Buddhist monastery Namobuddha where we stay the night. -
Day 6: Ride to Balthali (1,445 m) from Namobuddha 1,445 m
Today, we continue biking from Namobuddha to the traditional village of Balthali with ancient architecture of the houses and innumerable temples welcome us. This definitely allows for a great spot for
sightseeing. The greenery and the farms make our ride very pleasant. The village of Balthali is tucked away behind the forest of Panauti and is considered as a naturally and culturally rich destination. The
cozy hotel you’ll be at sports a bird’s eye view of green terrace field, massive surrounding hills and faint streaks of the Himalayas to the north. -
Day 7: Ride to Panauti village (1,504 m) from Balthali and drive to Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Drive back to Kathmandu after sightseeing and lunch at Bhaktapur. Farewell dinner in the evening 1,504 m Hotel
We descend on the mixed jeep tracks and paved road to Panauti, another ancient village, then ride down to Bhaktapur. Listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a collection
of pagoda and shikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The main attractions include the Lion gate, the Golden gate, the Palace of fifty-five windows,
art galleries, and the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla. You get to experience the culture of Nepal at its finest in Bhaktapur and also the legendary “Jujudhau,” locally made yogurt. After sightseeing here,
we head to Kathmandu. -
Day 8: Transfer to the International Airport for your Final Departure
The trip concludes – our airport representative will drop you at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.
Altitude profile
The climb, day by day
Comfort tiers
Choose your level of comfort
| Amenity | Standardfrom $1,250.00 | Comfortfrom $1,475.00 | Luxuryfrom $1,812.50 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu hotel | 3★ | 4★ | 5★ |
| Trail accommodation | Standard teahouse | Best lodge in each village | Premium lodge where the route has one |
| Porter support | Shared porter | Private porter, lighter load | Extra porter, carry almost nothing |
| Transfers | Shared | Private | Private, throughout |
What's included
Included
- Included: Twin-sharing or double accommodation in a 3-star hotel for 2 nights in Kathmandu including breakfast. A private room can be arranged at extra cost
- Included: Twin-sharing or double accommodation in a 2 or 3-star hotel in Nagarkot for 1 night including breakfast
- Included: Twin-sharing or double accommodation in a 2 or 3-star hotel in Budhanilkantha, Namobuddha, Balthali and Panauti village including breakfast
- Included: Twin-sharing or double tourist standard guesthouse accommodation in Chisapani including breakfast
- Included: A farewell dinner on the last night in Nepal
- Included: Purified drinking water throughout, using a filter or purification tablets
- Included: All international and domestic airport transfers by tourist vehicle
- Included: All ground transportation by private tourist vehicle
- Included: Entry permits and fees for all temples, parks, monasteries and cultural or historical sites
- Included: Experienced, wilderness first-aid trained, government licensed English speaking guide. The number of guides and assistant guides depends on group size
- Included: Wages, accommodation, meals, gear, insurance and medication for all staff
- Included: Mountain bike for the number of riding days, hardtail or full suspension depending on your choice
- Included: 1 duffel or kit bag, route map, sun hat and neck gaiter
- Included: All government taxes, permits and service charges
Not included
- Not included: International airfare and the Nepal entry visa
- Not included: Travel insurance
- Not included: Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Not included: All drinks, including bottled water, alcohol and soft drinks
- Not included: Personal shopping, laundry, phone calls and internet
- Not included: Entry fees to any site not named in the itinerary
- Not included: Tips for the guide and driver
- Not included: Extra costs caused by road closures, strikes, illness or any other event beyond our control
- Not included: Anything not listed under what is included
Your team
Led by a licensed guide
Every route is led by a government-licensed guide from our team. Licences are on record with us before departure, and you'll meet your guide once your trip is confirmed.
Guide language(s): English, Nepali
Group-size pricing
Walk together, pay less
Every trip is private, so the guide, permits and transfers cost the same however many walk. Sharing them is why the per-person price falls: arithmetic, not a sale.
| Group size | per person | You save each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 trekker | $1,250.00 | base rate |
| 2 to 3 trekkers | $1,040.00 | $210.00 |
| 4 to 6 trekkers | $980.00 | $270.00 |
| 7 or more | $915.00 | $335.00 |
Per person, including permits, park fees and taxes. Nothing is added at checkout.
Weather
What to expect, month by month
- Autumn (Sep–Nov)The most reliable trekking season: clear air, stable weather and cold nights, right after the monsoon clears.
- Monsoon (Jun–Aug)Wet and cloudy on most routes, though Mustang and Dolpo sit in the rain shadow behind the main range and stay walkable.
- Spring (Mar–May)Warmer than autumn, with rhododendron forests in flower and slightly hazier mountain views as the season goes on.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)Cold and quiet, with the clearest skies of the year at lower altitude. High passes and very high routes are best avoided.
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What trekkers say
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