Discover Nepal’s foothills on a steady ascent from Sundarijal, where stone stairways trace streams and a Sundarijal reservoir and waterworks before you hike into Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. The trail threads beneath oak, pine, and rhododendron, pausing at the Tamang village of Mulkharka for tea and broad Kathmandu Valley views that open toward the distant Himalayas.

Continue along cool forest paths alive with birdsong and, with luck, the flicker of langurs in the canopy. Break out on the Chisapani ridge, a rustic highland settlement where mountain air sharpens the senses and the day’s climb rewards you with your first full Himalayan skyline.

Walk undulating ridge trails toward Nagarkot, a classic hill station famed for panoramas. The route weaves past terraced fields and hamlets, with time to rest in Chauki Bhanjyang before continuing the ridge trek to Nagarkot through terraced hillsides and mid-hill villages. Mountain breezes and the scent of pine set an easy rhythm.

Arrive in time to watch sunset over the Himalayas from the Nagarkot View Tower or a similar vantage. On clear evenings, serried peaks—Langtang and Manaslu to the far-off Everest—glow with shifting gold, while deep valleys fade to blue below.

Wake early to witness a sunrise over the Himalayas from Nagarkot’s high perch. In the crisp mountain air, snow peaks blush from pink to gold as the first light skims serrated ridgelines and the valley stirs beneath a drifting veil of mist.

Local life begins with distant temple bells and village chatter, while the great wall of mountains—often including Langtang and Gauri Shankar—sharpens into view. Linger to pause for photos and reflection as the day’s clarity settles across the hills.

Trace quiet pathways from Nagarkot through community forests and bamboo thickets, with rolling glimpses of the Langtang range above terraced slopes. This relaxed day on foot threads rural lanes and small hamlets where time feels unhurried and the scent of pine follows your steps.

Finish in the traditional Newari town of Dhulikhel, known for hand-carved windows, brick plazas, and panoramas of the northeastern Himalayas. It’s a gentle, scenic approach that balances forest calm with cultural texture at journey’s end.

Follow a heritage footpath from Dhulikhel, climbing through farms and forest to the hilltop shrine of Kali Mandir. Descend through Kavre’s lanes and pine-scented Phulbari to reach the serene ridge of Namobuddha, one of Nepal’s most revered Buddhist sites crowned by monasteries and prayer flags.

Explore hilltop shrines and stupas while hearing the story of Prince Mahasattva, memorialized in stone for his act of compassion. Butter lamps, spinning prayer wheels, and views across green valleys lend a contemplative close to your Kathmandu Valley trek.

Take a seat for a scenic flight over Mt Everest, lifting above the Kathmandu Valley for astonishing, window-side views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Pilots or crew point out the major summits as the Himalayan wall unfurls beyond the clouds—an aerial perspective few forget.

Watch ridgelines, ice fields, and snow pyramids and hanging glaciers slide by in crystal morning light, with opportunities for photography throughout. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, offering a spectacular complement to your days on the trail.

Contiki

• 4 Lunch (L)
• 3 Dinner (D)
• 4 Breakfast (B)

• Sundarijal: Climb into the Himalayan foothills on a trek that ramps up in altitude and scenery. You’ll hike up to the Shivapuri ridge and reach the Tamang settlement of Mulkharka (AKA Milkshake) at 1,895m — prime territory for a tea stop and big Kathmandu Valley views. After an included lunch, the trail winds through Shivapuri National Park, where pine, oak, and rhododendron forests take over. The trek finishes in Chisapani (2,300m), with an overnight lodge stay at altitude.
• Chisapani: Set out on a scenic trek from Chisapani to Nagarkot, hiking for around three hours through changing hill landscapes. After roughly two hours on the trail, you’ll reach the settlement of Chauki Bhanjyang, where there’s time to rest and enjoy an included lunch. The route then continues through mid-hill villages and terraced farmland before climbing towards Nagarkot. The trek finishes at one of the Kathmandu Valley’s most popular hill stations, known for sweeping Himalayan views, deep valleys, and pine forest surroundings (AND sunset views not to be missed).
• Nagarkot: Get your head in the clouds, literally. This mountaintop village is famed for its spellbinding sunsets and epic vistas of the Himalayas. 
• Nagarkot: People come from all over for this moment. As the sun lifts, the Himalayas slowly come into focus — layers of peaks catching the light while the valley below shifts from shadow to colour. It’d be a shame to miss it.
• Nagarkot: Start early in Nagarkot with a sunrise over the Himalayas before breakfast. Then set out on a relaxed six-hour trek along forest trails and through mid-hill settlements, finishing in Dhulikhel — a traditional Newari town known for its mountain views and laid-back village feel.
• Dhulikhel: Hike for around four hours through the Kathmandu Valley hills on a scenic trek from Dhulikhel to Namobuddha. The trail climbs to Kali Mandir, a hilltop temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, before descending through Kavre village, passing local shops and tea houses. From there, the route continues through the pine forests of Phulbari, finishing at Namobuddha (1,750m). Later, we’ll drive back to Kathmandu.
• Namobuddha: Namobuddha is one of Nepal’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, perched high on a peaceful hilltop at 1,750m. You’ll wander between shrines and stupas while hearing the powerful story of Prince Mahasattva, whose act of compassion — sacrificing himself to save a starving tigress and her cubs — is carved into stone right here. It’s a pause, a perspective shift, and one of those moments that stays with you long after the trek ends.