We start from the Thankot side early, ideally by 7 am, to walk in the cool of the morning. The trail climbs straight into forest and keeps climbing: about 1,000 m of height gain in 3 to 4 hours, on dirt paths, stone steps and a few loose, eroded sections. Oak, chestnut and rhododendron shade most of the route, and the rhododendrons bloom red from March to April. There are few signboards and several junctions, which is why we send a local guide.
Regular rest stops open views back over the valley floor, and you may hear barking deer or see langur monkeys in the canopy. The final stretch joins the ridge near the summit, where the temple of Bhaleshwor Mahadev and the top station appear quite suddenly after hours of trees. Fit hikers who trek regularly find it a solid workout; anyone who walks only occasionally should expect sore calves the next day. The 2,551 m summit is too low for altitude sickness to be a concern.
At the top, rest with tea and the view before taking the cable car down in about 10 minutes; one-way tickets are sold at the top station, priced at a little over half the return fare; check current status before you travel. Carry 2 litres of water, snacks, a light jacket and sturdy shoes with grip. Avoid the trail in the monsoon, June to September, when it turns slippery and leeches are common. In dry season, keep an eye out for wildfire smoke in March and April.
Good for
- Solo
- Couples
- Groups
- Photographers
Questions travellers ask
How hard is the Chandragiri hike?
It is a steep, moderate hike: about 1,000 m of climbing in 3 to 4 hours on forest paths with loose sections and stone steps. Anyone who walks regularly can manage it at a steady pace. It is a good fitness test before a trek, and riding the cable car down removes the hardest part for knees.
Can I hike up Chandragiri and take the cable car down?
Yes, that is the way most hikers do it. One-way cable car tickets are sold at the summit station, costing a little over half the return fare, and the ride down takes about 10 minutes. Our driver waits at the Thankot base station to take you back to Kathmandu.
Do I need a guide for the Chandragiri forest trail?
We strongly recommend one. The trail has several unsigned junctions, few people on weekdays and patchy phone signal in places, and walkers do get lost. A local guide keeps you on the right path, sets a sensible pace and knows where water and rest stops are. Solo hikers should at least share their plan with someone.
