Our driver collects you around 7 am so you reach the Thankot base station as it opens. Opened in 2016, the line uses 38 eight-seat gondolas built with Austrian technology and carries about 1,000 people an hour, so queues move fast on weekdays. The ride takes 9 to 12 minutes and climbs about 1,000 m, crossing ridges of forest where you can sometimes spot langur monkeys and eagles riding the morning air. The lower station was set on fire during the September 2025 protests; the system was repaired, safety-tested and reopened in November 2025.
At the top, walk a few minutes to the main viewing deck and the peak identification boards. On a clear day the skyline runs from the Annapurna and Manaslu massifs in the west through Ganesh Himal and Langtang to Gauri Shankar. The Kathmandu Valley spreads out to the north-east, and the temple of Bhaleshwor Mahadev stands on the highest point. Give yourself 1.5 to 2 hours on top for the views, the temple, a hot drink and a slow wander along the paved paths.
Return fares at our last check were about US$ 22 to 23 for foreigners, about NPR 1,280 to 1,320 for SAARC nationals including Indians, and about NPR 800 for Nepalis, with discounts for seniors, students and children; check current status before you travel. Operations stop in high winds, thunderstorms and occasionally for maintenance. Guests with a strong fear of heights usually manage well, since the cabins are enclosed and the ride is smooth, but a downhill-facing seat can feel more exposed.
Good for
- Families
- Seniors
- Couples
- First-timers
- Photographers
Questions travellers ask
What is the Chandragiri cable car ticket price for Indians?
Indian nationals pay the SAARC fare, which was about NPR 1,280 to 1,320 for a return ride at our last check, roughly ₹800 to ₹830. Foreigners pay about US$ 22 to 23 return, and Nepalis about NPR 800. Fares are revised often and discounts apply for seniors, students and small children, so check current status before you travel.
How long is the Chandragiri cable car ride?
The ride covers 2.4 km and takes about 9 to 12 minutes each way, climbing roughly 1,000 m from Thankot to the 2,551 m summit. Including the drive from Kathmandu, queues and time at the top, plan on four to five hours for the whole outing, or a little more on weekends.
Is the Chandragiri cable car open after the 2025 protests?
Yes. The lower station was badly damaged by fire on 9 September 2025, and services were suspended while the system was repaired and inspected. The cable car and the hilltop resort reopened on 8 November 2025. Short closures for maintenance or weather still occur, so check current status before you travel.
