Nagarkot Changunarayan Day Hike

Hike Difficulty and Walking Conditions

The Nagarkot Changunarayan Day hike is mostly adventurous and is safe for moderately physically fit travelers. The trail is not difficult and no climbing skills are needed. The walking is for the most part on village paths, dirt paths, stone surfaces and sometimes on paved roads.

The trail is predominantly downhill after Nagarkot with some short up and level sections. A comfortable pace will make the walk accessible for novices who have been walking for several hours. The trail is also listed as an easy grade on recorded trail routes, with some significant elevation loss.

Walking shoes are essential as the surface may become uneven or slippery after the rain. As you hike, your guide from the Adventure Walkway can help keep you at a comfortable speed and provide frequent short breaks.

Sunrise Timing and Seasonal Start Time

The sunrise hike at Nagarkot starts early in the year due to the difference in sunrise time. Therefore, the exact hotel pickup time should vary by season and not be fixed for each month!

Nagarkot is located at 2,175 m (7,136 ft) and is situated 30 km east of Kathmandu. It’s famous for sunrise views and the Himalayas; a very popular viewing spot is the view tower.

Mountain visibility is best in clear weather, but does not always occur. Clouds, haze, rain and seasonal weather can prevent viewing the peaks even though the sunrise is seen.

Breakfast is usually at Nagarkot after the sun rises, prior to the walking part of the trip. At this time, the morning can be spent both visiting the viewpoint and walking in the countryside.

Trail Route, Distance and Elevation

The hike from Nagarkot to Changunarayan is not a uniform terrain but rather a variety of terrain types. Starting around Nagarkot, it makes its way through the woods, agricultural fields, villages and serene countryside trails to arrive at the temple complex of Changu Narayan.

This is the route most commonly used and is about 10km or 12km with several published itineraries stating about 12km and 3 to 4 hours of walking. Note also that the distance and time recorded on the trail also vary slightly; the final result could be affected by the walking speed and trail chosen.

Nagarkot stands at about 2,175 m (7,136 ft), while Changu Narayan is around 1,541 m (5,056 ft). This is not a downhill road, but the overall downhill direction is clear.

Best Season and Weather Conditions

The Nagarkot Changunarayan Day Hike can be made any time in the year, but can vary significantly with the weather. It is comfortable to walk in the fall and spring and the mountains are spectacular to see – but winter mornings can be cold and require additional layers!

Rain, muddy paths and decreased mountain visibility can occur during the monsoon season. The weather should be checked typically soon before departure, especially if sunrise viewing is a key component of the day.

Downhill Hiking: What to Expect

As a whole, the hike from Nagarkot to Changunarayan is slightly downhill with a noticeable overall decline, which could make the hike appear easier from a cardiovascular perspective than a hike with a long, straight, uninterrupted climb. But walking downhill can put additional stress on the knees and can be fatiguing after a few hours.

This trail is not all uphill. You can expect:

• Short sections along the ridge and paths in the village
• Irregular dirt and rock surfaces
• Steps and rough areas close to the settlements and the temple area
• Heavy rain or snow making roads slippery after rainfall and snowfall
• Frequent chances to relax and recuperate

A good pair of shoes makes a big difference. For those who are not used to taking the walk downhill, take smaller steps and don’t rush.

The walking speed can be adapted to the group with the help of Adventure Walkway. The goal is to finish the walk at a reasonable pace, not a race.

What to Wear and Bring

The hike to Nagarkot sunrise starts when the temperature is generally less during the morning. Several light layers are more convenient than one heavy jacket since you will be able to shed a layer when you start to sweat on the walk.

A pair of shoes that are comfortable to walk in and have a good grip are suggested. Sandals and casual shoes with smooth soles are not the best footwear for uneven or sloppy parts of the trail.

Useful items include:

• Wear a light jacket or outer layer in the morning.
• Wear comfortable walking trousers and breathable clothing.
• Small daypack
• Reusable water bottle
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Hat or cap
• Carry a rain jacket or small umbrella in rainy times
• Camera or phone
• Basic personal items and personal medicines

It’s not a day trip that requires a large backpack. Pack only the essentials for the morning and a few hours of walking.

Meals and Drinking Water

Breakfast is normally taken at a local restaurant or hotel in Nagarkot after the sunrise viewing. This gives hikers a chance to eat before the main hiking portion.

The trail is completed and lunch is arranged near Changu Narayan. The meal is a time to recharge before visiting the temple and area. Operating season and package requirements may dictate the specific restaurant and menu.

Water should be brought along from the start of the walk. It is best not to rely on water stops throughout the entire way, although water may be found at shops or settlements along the way.

If Adventure Walkway is arranging the hike, confirm whether meals and bottled or refillable drinking water are included in your particular package. The walking part is a practical component to carry a reusable bottle.

Transportation and Return to Kathmandu

The first day starts with an exclusive jeep ride from your Kathmandu hotel to Nagarkot. The ride takes about 1-1.5 hours, depending on traffic, road conditions and the location of the hotel.

Nagarkot is easily accessible from Kathmandu and the Nepal Tourism Board provides information on transportation options to hike around the Kathmandu Valley, including private vehicles and taxis.

The walk and visit to the temple is followed by the bus pick-up at Changu Narayan and then the journey back to Kathmandu. The drive back is a typical time of 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and drop-off location.

Whatever transportation option you use, you can avoid retracing the walking path. This is of particular benefit since the trail is a point-to-point route and not a loop.

Changu Narayan Temple: History and Cultural Importance

Changu Narayan is the cultural focus at the end of the Nagarkot Changunarayan Day Hike. The temple is located on a small hill in Bhaktapur district and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is regarded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site by the Nepal Tourism Board and is said to be one of the oldest temples of the Kathmandu Valley.

Important examples of stone carving and wood carving are found in the temple complex. The temple is adorned with several sculptures and reliefs, some of which date back to the Licchavi period, with a statue of Garuda in front of the temple being particularly significant.

There are also inscriptions and religious heritage of significance at the site. The site is still a place of worship and not just an archaeological site, so as the visitor enters there, he or she is also entering a place of worship.

The temple visit gives the walk a historical and cultural accent and also allows you to familiarize yourself with the structure, architecture and traditions of Kathmandu’s temples, Hindu culture and the long history of the Kathmandu Valley.

Temple Etiquette and Entrance Information

Changu Narayan is an active religious site and visitors are expected to treat it as such and behave appropriately while visiting the complex. The current Nepal Tourism Board fee table shows that foreign nationals and Chinese visitors need to pay NPR 300 to enter the country, whereas the fee for SAARC countries is listed at NPR 100 and for Nepalis it is free of charge. Fares are subject to change; check before travelling.

Key considerations:

• Come to the temple complex appropriately clothed
• Do not use a loud voice around active worship areas.
• Request permission before taking photos of individuals during religious services
• Obey signs and directions at the temple
• Avoid touching statues, carvings, or religious objects unless necessary.
• Respect areas of possible restricted access
• Maintain cleanliness around the temple

With the temple being part of the UNESCO cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley, its conservation is of paramount importance and visitors should act responsibly in all aspects of the temple.

Local Villages, Landscapes and Rural Life

The hike from Nagarkot to Changunarayan is a rural path which gradually transforms as you descend. Much of the landscape between the two places is terracotta, wooded, with village dwellings and small settlements.

Around Nagarkot, the Nepal Tourism Board says there are terraced hillsides and farmhouses and the ridge path on the east side to Changu Narayan offers views westward across the valley and the nearby settlements.

These areas provide an opportunity to witness ordinary rural activity as well as specific tourist attractions. Farmers in fields, crops drying in front of houses, livestock, or residents doing daily activities can be seen, depending on the season.

The exact setting alters as the year goes on. During wetter months, fields might appear new and green and during drier months, the views and colors may vary on the terraces.

Photography and Mountain View Tips

The Nagarkot Changunarayan Day Hike is a great photography excursion as the view changes multiple times throughout the day. You’ll find the best time to photograph the mountains early in the morning at Nagarkot, where the hills are not as blotted out by the haze of the day.

Try to photograph more than the distant mountains. The terraced fields, village paths, traditional houses, parts of the forest and the wood and stone carvings of Changu Narayan can give a more comprehensive documentation of the walk.

A few useful tips:

• Come to the viewpoint early in the morning and not at the end of the day when the sky is getting light.
• Have a light jacket handy to wear in the cold morning air.
• Use a wide landscape shot and closer shots for the details of the village and the temple.
• Ask permission before taking close photographs of residents
• Keep cameras and phones from getting wet on rainy days during the wet season.
• Be prepared for views during the descent

Nagarkot is located on the edge of the valley, which is where visitors go to observe the Himalayas and the path up to the temple of Changu Narayan brings some rural and cultural elements into the photographer’s eye.