Day Hiking Champadevi-Chandragiri Trail
The Champadevi-Chandragiri Trail is a popular day hiking route located near Kathmandu, Nepal, offering a perfect mix of nature, culture, and stunning mountain views. Here’s a detailed guide to help you plan your hike:
Trail Overview:
- Starting Point: Pharping (about 16 km from Kathmandu)
- Ending Point: Chandragiri Hills (cable car station for descent, or hike down)
- Distance: ~12–15 km (depending on the route)
- Duration: 5–7 hours (moderate pace)
- Difficulty: Moderate (steep ascents, well-marked trails)
- Highest Point: Champadevi (2,278 m), Chandragiri (2,551 m)
Highlights:
- Panoramic Views: Breathtaking sights of the Himalayas—including Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Gauri Shankar, and even glimpses of Mount Everest on clear days.
- Cultural Sites: Sacred Champadevi Stupa, Hindu shrines, and Buddhist monasteries along the way.
- Lush Forests: Dense rhododendron forests, pine groves, and diverse flora & fauna.
Route Details:
- Pharping → Hattiban Resort (1.5 hours)
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- Start early from Kathmandu to Pharping by taxi or bus.
- Easy uphill walk through pine forests.
- Hattiban Resort → Champadevi Summit (2 hours)
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- Steep climb with stone steps at sections.
- Rest at the stupa with panoramic views.
- Champadevi → Bhasmasur Hill (1.5 hours)
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- Gradual uphill with occasional steep parts.
- Offers fantastic views of the valley and mountains.
- Bhasmasur → Chandragiri (1.5 hours)
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- Challenging stretch with rocky paths.
- End at Chandragiri Hill station, explore the Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple.
- Descent Options:
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- Cable Car (20 min to Thankot, then back to Kathmandu)
- Hike Down (adds 2–3 hours, steep descent)
What to Pack:
- Essentials: Water (2L+), snacks, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, trekking poles (optional)
- Clothing: Light layers, windbreaker, sturdy hiking boots
- Extras: Camera, power bank, first-aid kit, rain jacket (seasonal)
Best Time to Hike:
- Spring (Mar-May): Rhododendrons in full bloom
- Autumn (Sep-Nov): Clear skies, best mountain views
- Winter (Dec-Feb): Crisp air, colder temps, possible snow at higher points
- Avoid Monsoon (Jun-Aug): Slippery trails, leeches
How to Get There:
- To Pharping: Local bus from Ratna Park (1–1.5 hours) or private taxi (~45 mins)
- Return from Thankot: Taxi or bus to Kathmandu (30 mins–1 hour)
Tips for a Safe Hike:
- Start early to avoid afternoon clouds.
- Check the weather forecast.
- Go with a guide if unfamiliar with the route.
- Respect local customs at religious sites.
Trip Details Itinerary
Cost Details
Equipment’s
Trip Map
FAQ
Trip Videos
Client Reviews
Steyan
Estefanía H
Manish
Mani
Madageskar
Kristin Bolton
Kristin Bolton
Kate Vogel
jojo
Irene Wong
Wonderful winter Manaslu circuit Trek
Our guide Raju and his brother are lovely and made our trip wonderful. They were very helpful and experienced, took care of everything and even cooked for us sometimes. They know a lot about the Manaslu region and their knowledge really enhances the experience. Highly recommend them if you are thinking about doing the Manaslu circuit trek . Source Tripadvisor