Chisapani Nagarkot Trek – 5 Days

Our trekking started with the expedition from Kathmandu early in the morning to Sundarijal which is an hour away from the city. The trip itself was a sight for sore eyes, as we were out of the Kathmandu madness and got into a hotbed of green rural areas, lovely villages, and terraced farmlands.

Arriving in Sundarijal, we were all set to commence our trekking activity. The walk started with a smooth climb through the hills, piercing the thick woods of oak and rhododendron, and shortly we found ourselves surrounded by peace and quiet of the woods. Along the route, we also came across some small settlements and got the chance to talk to the local people who were doing their usual routines.
We ascended higher, the air became cooler, the birds' tweets surrounded us, and the leaves' rustling took over the silence. The track was quite tough, but the marvellous landscapes that revealed around us, the fatigue couldn't be noticed. After covering several hours of walking, we arrived at Chisapani, a quiet village located at an altitude of 2,300 meters.

Chisapani is popular for its all-around views of the mountains like Langtang and Jugal Himal. We found lodging in a warm guesthouse and, after a short but sound sleep, we relished in the views of the calm mountains. The quiet vicinity made us feel like we were in a miraculously different place; far away from the city confusion.

In the evening, we all met for dinner and we shared our enthusiasm and prepared for the journey. The wind that was continuously blowing reminded us that we were in the mountains, but the warmness of the people and the beauty of Chisapani seemed to be the best way to start the trek.

Having enjoyed the night in Chisapani we were revived by the fresh mountain air and the stunning views of the surrounding peaks. The morning was indeed an eager and exciting one as we hit the road toward Nagarkot, a well-known hill station recognized for its absolutely stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas.

The hike began with a gentle downhill trek into the rhododendron and pine forests and we immediately got the feeling of being part of the beautiful natural surroundings. The trail led us through small villages, and during our journey, we got a chance to observe the local villagers' everyday routine – people working in the fields, children playing, and merchants carrying products.

On our way, we often paused to look at the majestic Langtang, Jugal Himal, and the distant peaks of Everest and Makalu, which were appearing more clearly as we climbed. The trek was delightful—full of terraced fields, forests, and alpine meadows, making it both a beautiful and peaceful experience for us.

After several hours of the trip up, we found ourselves already in the area of Nagarkot. This small hill resort, located at 2,195 meters, gave us an astounding view of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang. The sky was quite nice, and the atmosphere was very calm, just the right place to unwind and be amazed by the mountains.
Upon our arrival in our guesthouse, we availed of their nice food, and later, took a short rest. The main attraction of Nagarkot is its sunrise, making us excited to discuss our plans to get up early the next day and see the magnificent sunrise over the Himalayas.

We started our day early in Nagarkot with the expectation of experiencing the sun emerging from the horizon, one of the most breath-taking moments in the world. We got up hours before the sunrise and went to a viewpoint. The air was cool and clean, while the excitement was quite palpable. The sky was turning from deep blue to purple, then to orange, as the sun was appearing in the horizon, giving the snow-covered peak in such a vibrant, golden glow of the Everest, Langtang, and Annapurna ranges. The spectacle was nothing less than magical-- complete tranquility and admiration.

After having the chance to take in the visual delight of the sunrise, we headed back to our guesthouse feeling relaxed and invigorated to start our day's trek.
We directed ourselves to the Newar town of Dhulikhel, situated at a height of 1,550 meters, famous for its history. This small town was a mix of the forest, terraced fields, and some very delightful paths. Alongside were small towns and we were greeted by local people who were going about their daily lives. Just as we moved down, the magnificent Himalayan view still remained, revealing its divine presence in between those beautifully indefinitely stretching hills and valleys.
It was a very peaceful and thoughtful walk that presented us with an opportunity to see the picturesque landscape and its way of life of the villagers. We never stopped taking photos, meeting locals, and appreciating the quietude of the rural environment. We only made a few stops to capture some photos, to talk with local people, and to savor the tranquility and the rural atmosphere.

We were hiking for a long time when we finally reached Dhulikhel, a locality well-known for its ancient temples, traditional buildings, and panoramic views of the Himalayan range. We spent most of our day strolling around the town's quaint streets, touring the temples, and experiencing the local culture. The town of Dhulikhel is a peaceful and eco-friendly community, the hills around it also offer some of the town's best sites.

We reached the guest house in the evening and took our time with a simple meal. The day was rich with scenic views, cultural events, and moments of tranquility, so it was a perfect day in the Nepali hills.

We had a relaxed overnight stay in Dhulikhel and began the last day with a mellow breakfast and joy from that special feeling of the journey so far. The subject matter today was getting to know the distance between Dhulikhel and Panauti, a place with a fantastic history of Newar culture and a very traditional aspect of the city.

The walk was short, yet it was indeed both an absolutely classic and most picturesque scene of the countryside. We took the path that was gradually descending through terraced fields, local farmers’ houses, and small settlements, which let us feel a part of the organic nature of the process. We felt it was a luxurious and peaceful atmosphere all along the walk. The path was full of thick greenery, and the mountains could still be seen far away at the back, creating a serene atmosphere.

Reaching Panauti, we found the town to be home to beautiful temples and adorable little streets that are appealing tourists and devotees. Panauti is a small town that is not yet known to many travelers, but it has its unique history and culture. We were walking around its narrow alleyways, as well as we had the chance to see those temples of the past like Indreshwar Mahadev Temple and witness the genuine Newar architecture that has been retained for generations.
Later, we took a short drive and reached Kathmandu, crossing the distance of around 1.5 hours of travel. The journey was yet again another excellent way to see so much beauty in the landscapes since it started when we were in Kathmandu city.

Arriving in Kathmandu, we got our baggage in and had free time to relax after the trek. There is no word to describe the contrast of the peaceful countryside with the bustling streets of Kathmandu except for striking yet an indication of the diversity of Nepal’s landscapes and cultures.

In the evening, we all sat down for a goodbye dinner over which we exchanged stories about our amazing experiences of the last few days—splendid views, the genuine friendliness of the people, and the unforgettable moments in the mountains. As we were connecting through our anecdotes and chuckles, we were filled with gratitude for the trip and the affectionate memories that were now included in our luggage.

It was with mixed feelings that we stepped into our last day in Nepal after a magnificent trek through the Chisapani Nagarkot Trek. We had our breakfast and talked about the days we had spent on the trip, the endless treks, the various sunrises, and visiting the local villages for an authentic experience. No doubt, it was an adventurous journey accompanying awe-inspiring views and local people's warmth.

In case our flight time allows for that, we could have visited a couple of places in Kathmandu for about two hours. Many of my group first visited Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), a UNESCO World Heritage site situated on one of the hills and having the best view of the valley of Kathmandu. Everywhere, you could see girls, women, and elderly men saying prayers, and some were prostrating. The rest of the guys would probably have gone to Boudhanath Stupa, which is one of the largest and most important stupas for Buddhists in Nepal, for a relaxed visit and to watch the multicolored flags spread out on the breeze.

We were grabbing all of our stuff as the sun was setting, exchanging farewells with the guides and our fellow trekkers, and heading towards Tribhuvan International Airport. Though the thought of leaving the beautiful country was hard, but at the same time, we were delighted and a sense of gratitude for the unforgettable experiences we've had and the knowledge the mountain trek has brought us that would last a lifetime.

The way back home was combined with the sights of the powerful mountains, the kindness of the Sherpas, and the unspoilt nature of the countryside. Our hearts were filled with joy and warmth as we took our final trek back, while our memories of the exciting and authentic trip would last for a long time after our departure more so was the spirit of Nepal with us even though we were long gone.