Kathmandu Valley

काठमाडौं उपत्यका

Nepal's capital valley holds the seven monument zones of one UNESCO World Heritage property, spread across Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. It is also the road head for the Langtang Valley, the closest major Himalayan trek to the capital.

Terraced fields and houses of Bakhri Gaun on a hillside on the outskirts of Kathmandu, with the snowy Central Himalaya above the haze — Photo: Amit Machamasi (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Places in Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu

1,400 m, best Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec

Bhaktapur

1,401 m, best Oct-May

The stone Krishna Mandir with its tiered pavilions in Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur.

Patan (Lalitpur)

1,350 m, best Oct-May

Snow-covered Himalayan peaks above the forested slopes of Langtang National Park.

Langtang Valley

3,870 m, best Mar-May, Oct-Nov

Changu Narayan Temple

1,540 m, best Oct-Apr

Devighat

best Oct-Mar

Dhading Besi

best Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec

Dhulikhel

1,550 m, best Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec

The snow peak of Gaurishankar rising above the hills, seen from Charikot.

Dolakha

best Oct-Apr

Makwanpur

best Oct-Apr

Malekhu

best Oct-Apr

Nuwakot

963 m, best Oct-Mar

Panauti

1,442 m, best Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec

Ruby Valley

best Mar-May, Oct-Nov

Boundary: Government of Nepal, Survey Department (2020). Peak data: Wikidata.

Treks in Kathmandu Valley

Kyanjin Gompa's blue-roofed buildings on the wide valley floor, seen from Kyanjin Ri beneath snowy Langtang peaks

Langtang Valley Trek

A road-accessed teahouse trek from Syabrubesi up the Langtang Khola to Kyanjin Gompa (about 3,870 m), with an optional climb to Tserko Ri for close views of Langtang Lirung. Check road access after the August 2026 floods.

Days: 8 days
Maximum altitude: 4,984 m
Difficulty: Moderate

A grassy dirt track leads through tall pine forest on the way to Balthali village.

Balthali Village Trek

A short, low walk south-east of Kathmandu from Dhulikhel to the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namo Buddha, on to the farming village of Balthali, and down to the old Newar town of Panauti. No permit needed.

Days: 3 days
Maximum altitude: 1,750 m
Difficulty: Easy

Houses and lodges of Kutumsang on a terraced ridge with pine trees and forested hills behind.

Helambu Trek

A short trek that starts on the edge of Kathmandu at Sundarijal and follows forested ridges to Tharepati (about 3,650 m), then visits the Hyolmo villages of Melamchi Gaon, Tarkeghyang and Sermathang before a drive back.

Days: 7 days
Maximum altitude: 3,650 m
Difficulty: Moderate

The dark water of Gosaikunda lake with a cluster of lodges with coloured roofs on the green slope above its shore.

Langtang Gosaikunda Trek

The Langtang Valley to Kyanjin Gompa combined with the climb to the sacred Gosaikunda lakes (about 4,380 m) via Thulo Syabru and Sing Gompa, finishing at Dhunche. Check road access after the August 2026 floods.

Days: 11 days
Maximum altitude: 4,984 m
Difficulty: Strenuous