Chandragiri to Champadevi Day Hike

Kathmandu Valley · 1 Day

Chandragiri to Champadevi Day Hike

· Easy · Max altitude 2,551m (8,369 ft) at Chandragiri · Max group 2-12 people

Duration

1 Day

Max Altitude

2,551m (8,369 ft)

at Chandragiri

Grade

Easy

Lodging

None (day trip)

Overview

The Chandragiri to Champadevi Day Hike is one of the most rewarding ridge walks in Kathmandu Valley. You skip the steep climb to the top of Chandragiri (2,551m) by taking the cable car, then enjoy a long, scenic stone-paved ridge walk to the third-highest viewpoint on the valley rim - Champadevi (2,278m) - before descending to the quiet lake of Taudaha.

It combines a fun cable car ride, a Hindu temple at each end of the ridge, big mountain views and a relaxed downhill finish - all in a single day from Kathmandu.

Highlights

  • 8-10 minute cable car ride up to Chandragiri summit
  • Baleshwor Mahadev Temple and Prithvi Narayan Shah memorial on top
  • Champadevi Temple on the third-highest valley-rim hill
  • 360-degree ridge walking on stone-paved trails
  • Himalayan views on clear days - Annapurna to Gauri Shankar
  • Forest walking with chance of wildlife and birds
  • Finish at Taudaha Lake (a mythological Naga lake)
  • No long uphill - cable car saves the climb
  • Suitable for casual hikers and families
  • Easy access to and from Kathmandu

Itinerary

Day 1

Kathmandu - Chandragiri Cable Car - Champadevi - Taudaha Lake - Kathmandu

🍽 Not included

- **Cable car:** 8-10 minutes - **Hiking:** 5-6 hours 8:00 AM hotel pickup. Drive to Thankot cable car station. Take the cable car up to Chandragiri summit at 2,551m. 30 minutes exploring the temple and view deck. Begin the ridge walk south toward Champadevi (3-4 hours through pine and oak forest). Visit Champadevi Temple and take a short break. Descend 1-2 hours to Taudaha Lake. Driver pickup and return to your hotel by late afternoon.

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What's included

Included

  • Land transport from Kathmandu to Thankot cable car station
  • Pickup from Taudaha back to hotel
  • One-way cable car ticket (Thankot to Chandragiri summit)
  • English-speaking hiking guide

Not included

  • Lunch and other meals
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips for the guide and driver
  • Travel insurance
  • Anything not listed under inclusions

Trek guide

Cable Car Up, Long Ridge Down

Chandragiri Hill sits on the southwestern rim of Kathmandu Valley above Thankot. The cable car has turned what used to be a hard half-day climb into an 8-10 minute ride - giving day hikers easy access to a beautiful ridge that connects to Champadevi and beyond.

Geography

The hike covers around 14-16 km of ridge and forest trail, dropping from Chandragiri's 2,551m summit to Champadevi at 2,278m, then descending sharply to Taudaha Lake at roughly 1,300m.

Mountain Views

On clear October-to-March days you can see:
- Annapurna II and IV
- Manaslu (8,163m)
- Ganesh Himal
- Langtang
- Gaurishankar
- Almost the entire Kathmandu Valley below

Cultural Stops

  • Baleshwor Mahadev Temple (Chandragiri summit)
  • Prithvi Narayan Shah viewpoint memorial - the king who unified Nepal
  • Champadevi Temple - a small Hindu shrine
  • Taudaha Lake - associated with the legend of the Naga king who left when the valley was drained

Permits

Cable-car ticket (included). No national park permit needed.

Altitude

Highest point 2,551m at Chandragiri. No altitude risk.

Best Season

  • September to mid-June for clear days and dry trails
  • Avoid heavy monsoon (July-August) for muddy footing and leeches

Fitness

Level 2 - moderate. The cable car removes the big climb. The ridge walk is undulating; the final descent to Taudaha is steep on the knees. Around 5-6 hours total walking.

Trail Description

After 8:00 AM pickup it is a short drive to the Thankot cable car station. The cable car drops you on the Chandragiri summit. Visit the temple and viewpoint, then start walking along the well-marked ridge trail through pine and oak forest. You reach Champadevi in 3-4 hours. The descent to Taudaha takes another 1-2 hours and the driver picks you up at the lake for the return to your hotel.

Packing list

Clothing: Light hiking trousers, breathable shirt, fleece layer, light rain shell, sun hat

Footwear: Hiking shoes or trail runners with grip (steep descent)

Accessories: 20-30L daypack, 1.5-2L water, sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks, trekking poles (very helpful on the descent), camera

Documents: Passport copy, Nepali rupees

Medical: Personal medication, small first-aid kit, knee support if needed

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the cable car?
It saves about 2 hours of steep climbing and is the most enjoyable way up. Walking up is possible if you prefer; let us know in advance.

Is this hike suitable for beginners?
Yes - the cable-car start removes the hard part. The descent to Taudaha is the most demanding section.

Can children join?
Yes, from around 9 years old in reasonable shape.

What is the altitude?
Maximum 2,551m - no altitude sickness risk.

Are trekking poles needed?
Highly recommended for the descent to Taudaha; bring your own or rent in Thamel.

Will I see mountains?
October to March is the most reliable. The Chandragiri summit deck is famous for clear-day Himalayan views.

Where do we eat lunch?
A small cafe at Chandragiri summit; otherwise carry a packed lunch.

Is the cable car safe?
Yes - it is a modern Doppelmayr system regularly inspected.

Can this be done on a rainy day?
Possible but not recommended - the descent gets very slippery. We can reschedule for safety.

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $65

per person

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