Pharping and Champadevi Hill Day Hike from Kathmandu: Caves, Monastery and Valley View

Last updated 11 October 2026.

Short answer: The Champadevi Hill and Pharping day hike is a 10 km round trip from the town of Pharping, about 45 minutes south of Kathmandu by road, to the summit of Champadevi Hill at 2,278 m. You walk 4 to 6 hours, climb about 800 m on forest paths, and look across the Chandragiri range and the whole Kathmandu Valley. You also visit the Pharping cave where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated, and the monastery beside it. Our Champadevi Hill and Pharping Day Hike is USD 100 (Budget), USD 130 (Standard) or USD 150 (Luxury) per person for 2 to 4 guests. No permit is needed.

I send people on this walk when they have one free day in Kathmandu and are tired of cars and crowds. It is a moderate hike, it is close to the city, and it tells you something about the valley that the Durbar Squares do not: that Hindu and Buddhist sacred places here sit on the same hill.

Champadevi Hill and Pharping at a glance

What is Pharping?

Pharping is a small Newar town on the southern edge of the valley, about 23 km from the centre of Kathmandu. It is a place where two faiths share one hillside. About 1 km south of the town is the Dakshinkali Temple, one of the main Hindu temples of Nepal, dedicated to the goddess Kali. In the town and the hills above it are Buddhist meditation caves, monasteries and retreat centres. Pharping is also home to the oldest hydroelectric power station in Nepal, which is now a small museum.

The cave on our walk is the one where Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, is said to have meditated, and the monastery stands beside it. Tibetan Buddhists treat Pharping as a major pilgrimage place, and you will see people circling the shrines with prayer wheels and butter lamps. We visit with respect, leave shoes outside where asked and do not photograph people at prayer without asking.

What is the hike like, hour by hour?

It is not a race. The trail is a steady climb of about 800 m, which is a good workout but nothing technical, and the views improve all the way up. Allow four to six hours of walking, depending on your pace and how long you spend at the cave.

How hard is it?

It is moderate. If you can walk for three or four hours at home and are comfortable on a long uphill, you will enjoy it. The climb is the effort; the altitude is not, because 2,278 m is well below the point where most people feel the height. Wear walking shoes with grip, because the forest path can be slippery after rain. Bring water, a hat and a light rain jacket, and start early. If you want an easier first walk, read my guide to eight day hikes near Kathmandu, and for the Shivapuri side of the valley see Shivapuri National Park.

When is the best time to hike Champadevi?

The hike can start on any day, and our listed dates for 2027 begin on 1 March and 1 September. It also fits well with a Kathmandu stay in spring 2027, so see my March 2027 guide.

What does the Champadevi and Pharping day hike cost?

Prices are per person, and the hike is always private. A licensed English-speaking guide and the vehicle are included at every level: a private car or van sized to your group on Budget and Standard, and a comfortable air-conditioned private vehicle on Luxury. Lunch is not included on Budget; Standard has lunch with tea or coffee, and Luxury has lunch with all non-alcoholic drinks. A child pays the same as an adult.

How does it fit with the rest of your Kathmandu days?

It is a full day. If you are in Kathmandu for four or five days, do the temples first and the hike on a clear morning: the Kathmandu temples in one day plan covers the big three, my Patan, Bungamati and Khokana page covers a second Newar day trip, and the UNESCO sites guide explains the Durbar Squares. For a view from a cable car instead of a climb, our Chandragiri cable car day tour looks at the same range.

Questions people ask

How high is Champadevi Hill? The summit is at 2,278 m (7,474 ft) on our itinerary.

How long does the Champadevi hike take? Four to six hours of walking, plus about 45 minutes each way by road from Kathmandu. Plan a full day.

Is the Champadevi hike difficult? It is moderate. The trail climbs about 800 m on forest paths and gets steeper near the top. No technical skill is needed.

Do I need a permit for Champadevi? No. No permit and no TIMS card are needed for this hike.

What can you see from Champadevi Hill? The Chandragiri range, the whole Kathmandu Valley below you, and on a clear day the high mountains to the north.

How far is Pharping from Kathmandu? About 23 km. By road it takes around 45 minutes with our private vehicle, depending on traffic.

Can I do the hike in the monsoon? You can walk it, but the view is usually hidden and the path is slippery. I recommend October to May.

Is it suitable for children? Fit children who can walk four to five hours can do it. Tell me their ages and I will say honestly if the route suits them.

How are the terms for this hike?

Group size is 1 to 20, and the hike is always private. The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 72 hours notice to any date within one year. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash in Kathmandu carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients. Buy travel insurance at home.

How do you book?

Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your date, how many of you there are and where your hotel is. I will tell you honestly if this is the right hike for the day you have, and send the exact quote.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.