From Chisapani the trail drops east to Chauki Bhanjyang, then follows ridges and contours through farmland, small forests and villages towards Jhule and Nagarkot. It is a walk through rural life rather than wilderness: rice and millet terraces, buffalo sheds, village schools and tea shops where porters and farmers stop. Views of the Langtang and Jugal ranges open up from higher points on clear mornings.
The route covers about 18–20 km with plenty of up and down, and takes 6–7 hours. Parts now follow dirt roads, especially near Jhule and Kattike, so traffic is light but present. A local guide is useful because trails split often. Lunch is usually at a simple tea house in Chauki Bhanjyang or Jhule.
Nagarkot, at about 2,175 m on the eastern rim of the Kathmandu Valley, has many hotels and its own famous sunrise. Ending here lets you finish with a comfortable night and a short drive back to Kathmandu, or a walk down to the Changu Narayan temple the next morning. October to April is best, with December and January clearest.
Good for
- Groups
- Couples
- Solo
- Families
Questions travellers ask
How long does it take to walk from Chisapani to Nagarkot?
About 6–7 hours and 18–20 km, with frequent ups and downs via Chauki Bhanjyang and Jhule. Some sections follow rural dirt roads. It is a long but not high day, staying between about 1,700 and 2,200 m. Lunch stops are available in villages along the way.
Is a guide needed from Chisapani to Nagarkot?
It is strongly recommended. The route is not well signposted, crosses many village paths and dirt roads, and is easy to lose in fog. A guide also explains the villages and handles lunch stops. On our Chisapani–Nagarkot package, a licensed guide walks with you throughout.
Can I see mountains on the Chisapani to Nagarkot walk?
On clear mornings, yes, especially in the first hours from Chisapani and near Nagarkot, with the Langtang range, Dorje Lakpa and the Jugal Himal visible. By midday haze or cloud often hides them. The clearest skies come from October to January.
