The day begins with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to the starting point near Budanilkantha, located at the foothills of the Shivapuri Hills. Upon arrival, the trek officially begins with a gentle climb along well-maintained stone steps and dirt trails, surrounded by lush forests of pine and rhododendron. The forest occasionally opens up to reveal stunning glimpses of Kathmandu Valley and distant Himalayan peaks, giving a taste of the vistas to come in the trekking days ahead.

As you continue, the trail passes small streams and terraced fields, dotted with traditional stone walls and occasional farmhouses. The path is calm and peaceful, allowing you to walk at a leisurely pace, take photos, and absorb the natural surroundings. There are no villages or tea houses en route, so it’s important to carry water and snacks. After approximately 2–3 hours of trekking, you reach Budanilkantha, famous for its reclining Vishnu statue, where you can explore the temple and witness local rituals. The day concludes with an overnight stay at a nearby lodge, offering cozy accommodation and warm meals, giving you a gentle yet scenic introduction to Nepal’s hills and trekking culture.

Leaving Budanilkantha in the morning, the trail starts with a gentle climb through lush pine and rhododendron forests, offering a refreshing break from the bustling city below. As you ascend, occasional clearings provide breathtaking panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley, including distant views of the Langtang and Ganesh Himal ranges. The path is a mix of well-maintained stone steps and dirt trails, gradually rising through small ridges and terraced fields.

Along the way, you’ll pass tiny villages and scattered farmhouses, where local children may wave, and you can observe traditional farming practices. The quiet forest trail allows for frequent stops to take photos or simply enjoy the serene Himalayan surroundings. After 4–5 hours of trekking, you reach Tarebhir, perched on a ridge with stunning valley vistas and a cozy lodge where you’ll stay overnight. The lodge offers comfortable rooms and warm meals, making it a perfect spot to relax, enjoy the sunset, and reflect on the peaceful start of your trekking adventure.

The day begins early at Tarebhir, where the first rays of sunlight sweep across the ridge and paint the hills in shades of gold. After a warm breakfast, you start walking along a gentle forest trail that slowly climbs deeper into the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. The moment you enter the protected forest, everything becomes calmer—birdsong replaces traffic noise, and the air feels noticeably cooler and fresher.

The trail meanders through a mix of oak, pine, and rhododendron trees, occasionally opening up to ridgeline viewpoints where the Langtang Range, Ganesh Himal, and even Dorje Lakpa appear like distant guardians. As you continue, the path dips and rises through moss-covered stones and soft pine-needle ground, making the walk surprisingly peaceful and enjoyable. You’ll likely pass a few small chautaras (stone resting platforms) where locals stop to drink water or chat.

Some sections require a steady uphill push, but every climb rewards you with wider mountain panoramas and glimpses of tiny villages tucked into terraced hillsides. By midday, you’ll pass a few teahouses where trekkers usually stop for lunch, enjoying warm dal bhat or noodle soup with clear views of the surrounding ridges.

The final stretch towards Chisapani is a pleasant ridge walk where the landscape suddenly opens up, revealing 360° views of rolling hills, deep valleys, and Himalayan peaks on the horizon. Chisapani itself is perched on a high ridge, known for its sunrise and sunset views, making it feel like a small natural balcony above the world.

By the time you reach the village, the air becomes cooler, the breeze stronger, and the scenery wider. You settle into a cozy lodge, enjoy a cup of hot tea, and watch the sky soften into shades of pink and orange as the sun dips behind the hills. It’s a peaceful end to a long but incredibly beautiful trekking day.

Your morning at Chisapani begins with crisp mountain air and the sun slowly rising over the distant Himalayan giants. After breakfast, you leave the ridge-top lodge and step onto a quiet forest trail that immediately dives into thick rhododendron and oak forests. The path is peaceful—only the sound of your footsteps, rustling leaves, and distant bird calls break the silence.

As you trek forward, the trail gently rises and falls, offering several balcony-like viewpoints over Langtang Himal, Dorje Lakpa, Ganesh Himal, and even glimpses of Gauri Shankar on a clear day. The ridgeline walk is one of the most scenic parts of this journey, giving you uninterrupted views of rolling green hills drifting into the horizon. Every 20–30 minutes, the forest opens, gifting you a fresh angle of the mountains.

The route continues through Shivapuri National Park, where you may encounter grazing cows, shy monkeys, or a shepherd leading his flock along the hillside. Around midday, you reach a small settlement with a couple of tea shops—perfect for a warm bowl of noodle soup or milk tea while enjoying the cool breeze.

After lunch, the trail widens into a comfortable dirt track, making the walk easier. You pass small clusters of Tamang homes, prayer flags fluttering above rooftops, and terraced fields that curve beautifully along the slope. The scenery becomes more open now, giving you broad views of the valley below.

As you get closer to Jhule, the hilltop village appears framed by pine trees and long stone walls. The place is peaceful, with only a few lodges and a wide-open view of the mountains. If your journey continues to Kattike, the trail descends gently through farmland and scattered houses before arriving at this quiet, scenic ridge village.

By evening, you settle into a cozy lodge either in Jhule or Kattike, sip a warm cup of tea, and watch the mountains slowly fade into dusk. It’s one of those trekking days where everything feels calm, balanced, and deeply refreshing.

Your day begins in the peaceful village of Jhule/Kattike, where the morning air feels crisp and cool, mixed with the earthy smell of terraced fields. As you start your trek toward Nagarkot, the trail immediately introduces you to the quiet charm of the mid-hills—stone steps, narrow footpaths, scattered farms, and warm smiles from locals beginning their day.

The first section takes you through traditional Tamang and Newar settlements, passing small chautaris (resting platforms), local shrines decorated with prayer flags, and tiny vegetable gardens growing potatoes, cauliflower, and radishes. It’s a slow but steady uphill walk, and every few minutes you get glimpses of the Kathmandu Valley on one side and rolling green hills on the other.

Moving ahead, the trail becomes more forested. You enter a beautiful section of mixed woodland filled with oak, pine, and rhododendron. The forest is alive with birds—laughing thrushes, barbets, and sometimes even a glimpse of the Himalayan magpie. The path here is quiet, shaded, and perfect for a mindful walk, with only the sound of your footsteps and rustling leaves.

As you gain elevation, the scenery opens up dramatically. Terraces appear again, spreading across hillsides like giant steps. In clear weather, the Langtang Range, Ganesh Himal, and even a distant outline of Gauri Shankar start to show themselves between forest clearings. The excitement grows as you get closer to Nagarkot, one of Nepal’s most famous viewpoints.

The final ascent to Nagarkot (2,175m) is steady but not too strenuous. You pass through small settlements like Mauja and Kartike Bhanjyang, where locals often sit outside their houses drinking tea. As you approach the ridge, the wind becomes cooler and fresher, carrying the unmistakable scent of pine forests.

When you finally reach Nagarkot, the world opens wide. The ridge offers sweeping Himalayan views stretching from Annapurna to Everest on a clear day. The quiet village atmosphere, the cool breeze, and the long line of snow-capped peaks make it one of the most rewarding viewpoints on the trek. You check into your lodge, freshen up, and spend the evening enjoying the incredible mountain panorama as the sun slowly sets into the hills.

Your morning in Nagarkot begins with the soft golden beams of sunrise spilling over the Himalayas. Before starting your drive back, you may enjoy one last peaceful moment on the viewpoint ridge, where the panorama stretches from Mount Everest, Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal, and all the way to Gauri Shankar. The fresh mountain air, chirping birds, and calm village surroundings give you a gentle farewell from this hilltop paradise.

Once you begin the drive to Kathmandu, the road descends slowly from Nagarkot’s cool pine forests into the warm mid-hills. The route is filled with beautiful scenery—terraced farmlands cascading down the hillsides, small Newari settlements decorated with traditional brick houses, and locals working in the fields. You will pass villages such as Telkot, Sakhu, and Bhaktapur outskirts, each offering glimpses into authentic valley life.

As you approach the valley, the landscape gradually shifts. Green hills fade into the bustling rhythm of the city, and distant mountain silhouettes disappear behind Kathmandu’s skyline. The drive usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic, but every bend in the road offers something interesting—local markets, small temples, and roadside tea stalls where the aroma of Nepali chai fills the air.

By the time you reach Kathmandu, you’re back in the cultural heart of Nepal, surrounded by ancient heritage sites, vibrant streets, and familiar city energy. You’re comfortably dropped at your hotel, where you can rest, explore the city, or enjoy a warm meal to close the day.