Kathmandu · CHANGU NARAYAN TOURS
The good Changu Narayan tours fill up in the busy October and spring seasons. Below: the 15 to book first, what each includes and how they differ.
Leave Kathmandu, Patan, or Bhaktapur before dawn for sunrise at Nagarkot, then walk about 12 km to Changu Narayan with a private English-speaking guide. Expect village paths, forest, and an ornate Vishnu temple. Guides such as Subash, Pramila, and Deepak have led the tour, though assignments can vary.
“We had a really good time, thank you again Deepak!”
Leave Kathmandu by private car for Nagarkot’s Himalayan viewpoint, then walk about three hours through farms and villages to UNESCO-listed Changu Narayan Temple. Guides such as Sagar and Shekhar share local history and culture along the way. Mountain views depend on clear weather, and lunch, drinks, and temple entry are extra.
“The weather wasn’t the best. Rainy and cloudy. They gave us an option to cancel - thank you for being so kind.”
Leave Kathmandu around 4:15 a.m. for sunrise at Nagarkot, then hike through villages and farmland to Changu Narayan, a UNESCO-listed Hindu temple. A private vehicle, English-speaking guide, bottled water, and temple admission are included. The advertised hike distances conflict, so confirm the route before booking.
“The excursion to Nagarcot to see the sunrise was great. The guide and the driver were on time, despite the 4 a.m. appointment. The car was comfortable, the driving safe and our guide, sorry I can't remember his name, friendly and profRead more”
Leave Kathmandu by private vehicle for Nagarkot, then walk mostly downhill through rural villages and countryside to Changu Narayan, a UNESCO-listed temple known for its old stone carvings. The roughly three-hour hike is manageable for many people with moderate fitness. English-speaking guides such as Shekhar and Sagar share local context along the way. Mountain views, including Everest, depend on clear skies.
“Guide was super nice and easy to talk to. The weather was a bit cloudy at the lookout, but it was still a great day. Nice relaxing hike where I learned about the native plants and animals and about the way of life for people in slightly more rural Nepal just out of Kathmandu.”
Leave Kathmandu at 4:15 a.m. for Nagarkot’s sunrise viewpoint, then hike toward Changunarayan with a private guide. The walk takes under four hours and passes villages and countryside. Hotel transfers and a driver are included. Guide Ghan has been praised for being fun and supportive, though your guide may differ. Breakfast details need confirming: it is described as included, but also listed as an extra $5.
“This tour was a great way to spend a day outside the city. Ghan, our guide, was super fun and a great guy to spend time with. After an amazing sunrise looking at the Himalayas and a very good breakfast in a local restaurant, we went hiking fRead more”
Leave Thamel by private vehicle before sunrise for Nagarkot, where clear skies may reveal Everest, Langtang, Annapurna, Manaslu, and Ganesh Himal. Then walk downhill for four to five hours through villages to Changunarayan Temple, a centuries-old pagoda site. Lunch, Nepali tea, soft drinks, transport, and taxes are included. Bring a trekking pole and personal essentials.
“I am glad that i signed up for this tour, the sunrise was sureal (despite the freezing cold weather) and the hike was the best part- passing through villages, it was calming and amazing birds eye view. Highly recommended, also, make sure have some cash for the tip (for guide and driver).”
Spend about 5 to 8 hours visiting Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Squares and Changu Narayan Temple with a private English-speaking guide and driver. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Guide Prakash has been praised for connecting local history with daily life, though you should confirm who will lead your tour.
“Exception guide, Prakash, he was so informative it created a wonderful way of exploring and learning the history and daily life of Bhaktapur and Patan for us. Chanygu Narayan temple was beautiful to visit and not many people so it was peaceful.”
Start early with a private hotel pickup and a drive to Nagarkot for sunrise and Himalayan views, weather permitting. Then visit Changu Narayan Temple and Bhaktapur Durbar Square with an English-speaking guide. Past guides have included Ramesh, Rabina, and Sudeep. Allow eight hours, plus extra for entrance fees and your own food and drinks.
“Everything was perfect thanks to our guide Ramesh and our driver. Ramesh is very kind and was really present to explain us the history of Changu Narayan and Bhaktapur. He also gave us advice for shopping in Kathmandu. Thank you so much! Hope to see you again”
A private guide and car take you from your Kathmandu hotel to Nagarkot for sunrise, then to Changunarayan Temple and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Expect an early start, Himalayan views if the weather cooperates, Newari architecture, and time for lunch and shopping at your own expense. Guides speak English or Japanese.
“A very rewarding tour. Well organized. The guide had a deep knowledge that he was willing to share and in a joyful manner.”
Leave Kathmandu at 4:30 am for sunrise at Nagarkot, then walk downhill for about four to five hours through villages and forest to Changu Narayan Temple. A private guide and round-trip transport are included. The temple entrance fee is covered; lunch is not. Confirm the breakfast arrangement before booking, since the tour details conflict.
“I went with Ramesh. He was EXCELLENT. On time, perfect communication and did exactly what I wanted. Didn’t rush me nor did he slow me down. I would 100% use them again when I return. Also, Kesh who deals with comms is brilliant”
Take a private, roughly seven-hour trip from Kathmandu to Changu Narayan Temple, then hike three hours to Telkot through villages, woods and terrace farms. A guide leads the way, with an air-conditioned vehicle for the drives. Clear weather may bring Himalayan views; guide Rj has been praised for his patience and helpfulness.
“Absolutely fantastic. We had an amazing day. The guide was outstanding, we loved him! Knowledgable, kind, patient and helpful. He went above and beyond. Highly highly recommend.”
Travel by private car from your hotel to Nagarkot, take in Himalayan peaks from the View Tower, then walk through villages and farmland to 5th-century Changu Narayan Temple. A guide leads the private outing, with English and Hindi offered. Lunch and the temple entrance ticket are included; guides who have led the hike include Ram, Rajan, and Iman.
“Beautiful hike with great views and nice encounters with locals on the way. Extremely expert guide!”
Leave Kathmandu at 4:30 am for Nagarkot’s Himalayan sunrise, then visit hilltop Changu Narayan Temple and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. A private vehicle, guide, hotel pickup inside Kathmandu’s ring road, and entrance fees are included. The views depend on weather and haze, and lunch is at your own expense.
“Good tour. But weather wasn’t great so we did not see the sunrise we expected Nepal is a great place to visit”
Start with an early hotel pickup and a drive to Nagarkot for sunrise, with a chance of seeing Everest on a clear morning. After breakfast, hike about two hours through rural villages and woodland to Changu Narayan Temple. This private, guided tour lasts about five to six hours; the temple entrance fee is extra.
“Collection from my hotel bang on time for the drive up to the viewing point. The sunrise was the best I have seen in Nepal with spectacular views of the Himalayas - and Everest in the far distance. Not too crowded so a good view for eveRead more”
Travel by private vehicle from Kathmandu to Changu Narayan, a Hindu temple founded in the 5th century, then spend about three hours at Bhaktapur Durbar Square. An English-speaking guide and transport are included; entry fees, food and drinks are extra. Sanjay and Bishnu are among the company’s praised guides, though your assigned guide is not specified.
“Excellent day tour seeing all the sights, was a great way to start off my time in Nepal. So much to see and do, highly recommend it”
Start with a square, a summit or a stove.
