Top 10 Short Treks and Hikes From Kathmandu and Pokhara

Chisapani-Nagarkot Trek (2–3 Days)

The Chisapani Nagarkot Trek is an easy-to-moderate hike that passes through beautiful woods, historic towns, and majestic hills with sweeping Himalayan vistas. The trip provides a rare chance to discover the locals' traditional way of life as you travel through various endearing villages. You will go through the Shivapuri National Park, which is home to a wide variety of flora and animals, on the Chisapani Nagarkot Trekking Trail.

The Himalayan monal, the kalij pheasant, and the blood pheasant are just a few of the bird species that call the park home, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers as well. For those who wish to see the splendor of the Himalayas without going on a difficult journey, the Chisapani Nagarkot Trek is ideal. Depending on your speed, the reasonably easy journey may be finished in three days. 

This trek is best done between September and November and March and May, when the weather is clear and the Himalayan views are at their finest. The walk might be difficult in the winter because of the intense cold and heavy snowfall. However, you may still enjoy the walk during the winter if you are well-prepared and have the necessary gear.

Shivapuri-Sundarijal Day Trek

The Shivapuri Hike, also known as the Sundarijal-Shivapuri Hike, is a solitary and spiritual hike into the hills around Kathmandu Valley. It is an easy hike for all age groups. So if you are bored with the city life of Kathmandu after your long stay, Shivapuri Hike will be a great option.

Sundarijal Hike is just an hour's drive from the main city of Kathmandu. So it is a perfect short trek for refreshment and views of the Himalayas. All around the trek, you will be able to encounter majestic views of the flora and fauna, cascading waterfalls, magnificent vegetation, and the very popular water reservoir that supplies drinking water to the Kathmandu Valley and is the source of the Bagmati River.

It is a trail where nature and culture are mixed. You will be trekking into the conservation area protected by the Nepali army and the locals, who together are taking the initiative to protect nature.

Phulchowki Hike (1 Day)

Phulchowki is the highest peak among all the surrounding peaks of Kathmandu Valley, towering at the height of 2782 meters. In the Nepali language, phul means ‘flower’ and chowki means ‘tollhouse,’ where the army barracks and telecom office are built on the top of the hill.

The main viewpoint lies within the army area on top of the hill, where tall towers of Nepal Television, Nepal Telecom, and Hawaii are erected, and on the opposite side, there is Phulchowki Mai Temple. Phulchowki is a popular hiking destination in the Lalitpur district that lies above the national botanical garden of Godawari in the southeast of Kathmandu Valley. 

Hiking to Phulchowki is ideal for nature lovers to experience the dense forest rich in wildlife and to witness the diverse views from the top. From the top of Phulchowki, you can see the plains of the entire Terai in the south, the mighty Himalayas to the north, and the beautiful Kathmandu Valley in the northwest filled with its mystery of ancient temples and cities that date back to antiquity.

During the clear sky, Mount Everest, Gaurishankar, Ganesh, Langtang, Manaslu, and the Annapurna range can be seen from the Phulchowki viewpoint.

Chandragiri Hill Trek (1 Day)

Chandragiri Day Hiking is one of the fantastic activities to do in Kathmandu if you want to explore nature and go on an adventurous walk. Situated 20 kilometers west of the heart of Kathmandu Valley, Chandragiri is a renowned hill station. 

At an elevation of 2,551 meters, it offers a breathtaking mountain panorama, making it a standout destination for hikers. Chandragiri hiking is an easy uphill walk via a forested route. At the top of Chandragiri Hill, there is a temple of Bhaleshwor Mahadev (a Hindu deity).

 According to legend, King Prithvi Narayan Shah saw the Kathmandu Valley from here and wished to conquer it, and Bhaleshwor Mahadev granted his wish. Today, this temple holds great importance for the locals. Travelers of all ages can do this hike.

There is no requirement for strong fitness or any hiking experience. It will be 2 to 3 hours of hiking uphill, so you will definitely get tired and out of breath. So, be ready for that.

Dhampus—Australian Camp Trek (2 Days)

Dhampus Australian Camp trekking is a beautiful and easy trekking trail near Pokhara. The trek takes you to a massive view of Annapurna, Fishtail, Dhaulagiri, and Gangapurna with a natural greenery landscape. 

Dhampus, one of the most beautiful Gurung villages and the gateway village of the Annapurna Conservation Area, is the best place to sightsee the natural scenery and cultural settlement.

Dhampus Australian Camp Trekking is one of the best hikes uphill from Pokhara that offers a delightful panoramic view of the mighty Himalayas, including Mt. Annapurna, delightful lush green forests, and various colored cultural villages throughout the route. 

This fascinating hiking journey will take you to some of the most beautiful cultural villages, such as Dhampus, Kande, Hemjakot, and the major attraction, Australian Camp.

Panchase Trek (3 Days)

Walking across the trail of Panchase is a panoramic trek beyond Phewa Lake in Pokhara. Panchase Valley is an enclosed place, surrounded by Parbat on the west, Kaski on the east, and Syangjha on the south.

 Panchase is well known as the destination of Nepalese Hindu pilgrims. The good thing you’ll observe here is the youngest age group shows respect to the ancestor’s soul.

 So, your trek to Panchase would be one precious opportunity to explore the underlying, fascinating beauties within the Annapurna region.

Panchase Valley is one of the renowned trekking routes in the western part of Nepal, which is identified for its magnificent mountain views, diversified flora and wildlife, and distinctive cultural experiences. Depending on the speed and route followed, the trek usually takes 5 days to accomplish.

Ghandruk Trek (2–3 Days)

Walk into one of the popular destinations in the Annapurna region, Ghandruk. The beautiful village of Ghandruk is located in western Nepal and is inhabited by the Gurung community. A spectacular panorama of the Himalayas in the Annapurna can be spotted from Ghandruk, such as Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Annapurna III, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre. There’s also an old Gurung museum in the village. The trek is ideal for anyone who is looking into shorter hikes around Pokhara with easy trekking trails and no difficult ascents/descents.

The trek begins with a private vehicle drive from Pokhara to Phedi and a walk toward Tolka, hiking up to Dhampus. Explore the beautiful village of Dhampus, which offers very scenic mountain views. The village is spectacular, from mountains like Annapurna South to Gangapurna, Annapurna III, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and others. The next day, the journey continues with the hike to Ghandruk, a very beautiful Gurung village and one of the highlights of this trip. We explore the village, covering its local museums and a monastery. We stay in a cozy and welcoming lodge tonight. There is nothing the following day but enjoying breakfast with an amazing view of Annapurna and then driving back to Pokhara and transferring to your hotel.

World Peace Pagoda Trek (Half-Day)

Pokhara Shanti Stupa is a significant monument in Pokhara, Nepal, symbolizing peace and harmony in the world. It was constructed by Nipponzan-Myohoji, a Japanese Buddhist order, under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii, a Buddhist monk who was deeply inspired by his meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in 1931 and decided to devote his life to promoting non-violence. In 1947, he began constructing Peace Pagodas as shrines to world peace. 

Pokhara itself can be quite an adventurous place to go hiking. Pokhara is surrounded by green hills, which offer plenty of options as a destination for hiking. Moreover, hiking in Pokhara can be done all year round. The Shanti Stupa Pokhara, also known as World Peace Pagoda Pokhara, is situated on top of Ananda Hill.

 The location was chosen for its natural beauty and ability to inspire peace and tranquility in those who visit. Located at a height of 1100 meters, the Pokhara Shanti Stupa is the first World Peace Pagoda of Nepal. When the weather is clear, an early sunrise can lead to magnificent views of the Annapurna mountain range.

Begnas—Begnaskot Day Hike

Begnaskot Hiking is a delightful trekking experience in Nepal, offering stunning panoramic views of the Himalayan Mountain ranges, serene lakes, and picturesque landscapes.

Located near the popular tourist destination of Pokhara, Begnaskot is a hilltop viewpoint that provides an excellent vantage point to admire the beauty of the surrounding region. The trek usually starts from Pokhara, with a short drive to the village of Sundari Danda, which serves as the starting point for the hike. From there, trekkers embark on a moderate ascent through beautiful forests, charming villages, and terraced fields.

The trail is well-defined and offers a pleasant hiking experience, suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers. As trekkers ascend towards Begnaskot, they are rewarded with breathtaking vistas of the Annapurna mountain range, including the majestic Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) peak, Dhaulagiri, and other snow-capped peaks. 

The panoramic views of the mountains against the backdrop of the clear blue sky are truly awe-inspiring and provide ample opportunities for photography and capturing unforgettable memories.

Poon Hill Short Trek (4–5 Days)

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a perfect short, beautiful journey in the Annapurna region. It is probably the most satisfying and finest destination in Nepal. We can highly recommend this trek to all age groups of travelers.

Get ready to soak in the panoramic view of the mountains and bask in the fresh mountain air. Moreover, the 4-day Poon Hill trek has another name: the 3-day Annapurna Sunrise Trek. Nepal Trek & Expedition has a group of travel planners to ensure a great walking holiday in Nepal. 

Are you searching for a less strenuous walking trail up in the mountains? In less than a week’s holiday, witness magnificent Himalayan scenery with multi-authentic cultures too.

Relish the chance to witness the sunrise with spectacular mountains from the top of Poon Hill (3210 m). Mountains like Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Tharpachuli, Tukuche Peak, Annapurna IV, Annapurna II, Dhampus, the Manaslu ranges, Lamjung Himal, etc., are lining up to welcome you.

Don’t miss out on the momentous, easy walking adventure in Nepal. The Poon Hill Trek cost would be between US$255 and US$755 per person, but it depends on the trekking days, group length, and services.

Conclusion

Whether you’re in Kathmandu looking for a quick mountain escape or in Pokhara ready to dive into the hills, these short treks offer a complete Himalayan experience in just a few days. They are perfect for time-bound adventurers, beginner hikers, and anyone wanting a close encounter with Nepal’s natural beauty and rich culture.

Want to make it easier? Let Nepal Trek Adventures organize your short trek—including transport, permits, guides, and gear.