A Chisapani weekend: the nearest mountain view to Kathmandu
Two days of walking from Sundarijal through the Shivapuri forest to a ridge village with a long Himalayan view at sunrise, and a taxi back to the city on Sunday afternoon.
Emma Clarke
14 Jan 2026 1 min read
- When December 2025
- Length 2 days
- Travelled With friends
In this story2 sections
If you have only a weekend, Chisapani is the easy way into the mountains. A taxi from Kathmandu took us to Sundarijal in forty minutes, and from there the trail climbs through the Shivapuri forest past a waterfall and a long stone staircase.
By mid-afternoon we reached the ridge village of Chisapani at 2,215 metres, a handful of lodges with a clear view across to the Langtang range. We watched the sun go down behind the valley, ate dal bhat by a stove and woke at six to see the peaks light up. A short walk later and we were in a taxi, back in Kathmandu by lunch with muddy shoes and a lot to talk about.
At a glance
- When
- December 2025
- Length
- 2 days
- Travelled
- With friends
- Getting around
- Taxi to Sundarijal and back to Kathmandu.
- Stayed
- A basic lodge on the ridge at Chisapani.
As Emma Clarke describes the trip; details may have changed.
The route
- 1
Day 1
Sundarijal
The trailhead at the edge of the valley.
- 2
Day 2
Chisapani
Overnight on the ridge at 2,215 m.
- 3
Emma Clarke’s tips
- Carry your national park entry permit; the Shivapuri park gate checks it.
- Dress warmly for the evening: the ridge is exposed.
- Start early on day one to arrive with daylight left.
Written by
Emma Clarke
More from Emma Clarke
Recent Visits AI
Plan a similar trip
The assistant starts from this story, asks about your own dates, budget and group, and builds a plan for you. It will not copy the author’s trip or prices.
