Limited spots available - maximum 30 people to a hiking group! In light of the global pandemic, we have adopted several safety and health protocols for all our treks and hikes. Your wellbeing is our top priority. Bookings are now more flexible, and a full refund is guaranteed should departure dates shift due to any extenuating circumstances.
Covid-19 Full UpdateCovid-19 Full Update and Protocol
We have devised several guidelines and updated our booking policies to ensure safety and peace of mind of our trekkers. Before booking a trip with us, please review the following health and safety protocols, as well as flexible cancellation and refund policies.
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
Before departure, we require all travellers to sign a liability waiver and an indemnity agreement acknowledging risks related to traveling during the pandemic. Travellers also need to confirm that they are not experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms, are not under any self-quarantine orders, and have not been in contact with someone suspected or confirmed with Covid-19 symptoms.
PCR REQUIREMENT
PCR tests may or may not be required depending on the trek we choose. We’ll comply with the PCR requirement according to the updated guidelines specified by the local government. Please check Covid Protocol under Important Details section on trip pages for accurate information.
ON THE TRAILS
We require all health and safety guidelines be followed on the trip. This includes wearing a mask (especially when we’re near a village or locals), maintaining a safe distance, washing hands, and using hand sanitizer frequently. Please respect and follow local health guidelines.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
We’ve handpicked hotels that specialize in quality service and disinfect rooms along with the physical amenities (like doorknobs, phones, and possible areas of contact) before every check-in.
AIRLINES PROTOCOL
Domestic and international airlines, along with airports, have set safety requirements for travellers, which include wearing masks and face shields. Body temperature is measured before you enter the terminal, in-flight food services are suspended, and bags are disinfected. Likewise, physical distancing needs to be maintained while queuing, boarding, and de-boarding flights.
CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS
Given hotels, vehicles and flights require prebooking, cancellation charges are applicable and the amount is contingent on cancellation date.
| Prior to 30 days before the trip start date | Within 7 to 29 days before the trip start date | Within 3 to 6 days before the trip start date | Within 1 to 2 days before the trip start date | |
| Trip cancellation by the client | 90% of the total trip amount refunded | 75% refunded | 25% refunded | No refund |
| Trip cancellation by the company(due to any reason beyond our control) | Full refund | Full refund | Full refund | Full refund |
| Alteration/modification in booking by the client | No charges will be levied | No charges will be levied | No alteration option available for changes in flights, transport, and hotel date | No alteration option available for changes in flights, transport, and hotel date |
All refunds will be made in Nepali Rupees no later than 30 days from the allocated trip end date, by cash or bank transfer.
| Age Group | Price per person Incl. of all taxes |
| 18 y/o or above | NRs. 3,000 |
| 17 y/o or below | NRs. 500 |
Transportation |
Food |
Crew |
|
|
|
|
|
Small
Groups
Small Groups
Maximum 6 to a group
Maximum 30 to a group
Flexible
Booking
Flexible Booking
Uncompromised
Safety
Safety Protocols
Impeccable
Service
Impeccable Service
North Countryside Hike
| 5 to 6 hrs | 13.8 Km | Moderate | NRs. 3,000 |
What begins with a short climb up to Kapan comes down on the ridge and onto the farms along upper, cleaner bits of Bagmati River.
In light of the pandemic, several safety and health protocols are in full effect. Well-being of our trekkers is our top priority. Bookings are now more flexible, with possible full refund upon cancellation.
Overview
From the vantage point of Tarebhir/Helipad with plenty of nature to the flats of upper Bagmati River (it’s clean on that side!) with paddy fields and villages, enjoy the best of both worlds. We begin with a climb from the northern edge of Budhanilkantha and soon find ourselves walking through a peaceful trail in the midst of pine trees. The uphill is well rewarded with the viewpoint of Tarebhir, sporting great vistas of Kapan ridge which we soon follow. The windy ridge is adorned with sandy trails and prayer flags fluttering overhead. Past Gokarneswar, we take on flat trails all along the shores of Bagmati, surrounded by vast farms with imposing massifs of Shivapuri’s eastern flank and Nagarkot in front of us. A final climb then takes us to Changu Narayan, the oldest temple in Kathmandu, which gives us a fine look at the terrains we trod on and rivers we walked along.
Highlights
| Forests adjacent to Shivapuri National Park (we don't go inside) and nice rocky trails leading up to Helipad/Tarebhir | |
| Views from Helipad with the long ridge of Kapan in front and a wide panorama of the city around | |
| 5Km of gradual downhill trails through pine trees on Kapan's ridge | |
| Walking along Bagmati River on all flats surrounded by farmlands all around | |
| Villages and farms of Jagadol | |
| Gokarneswor, Champak Binayak and Changu Narayan Temples |
Best Months
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Prices
| Age Group | Price per person Incl. of all taxes |
| 18 y/o or above | NRs. 3,000 |
| 17 y/o or below | NRs. 500 |
Please note: Unlike with mountain treks, only fixed departures are available for day hikes.
Includes
Transportation
|
|
Food
|
|
Crew
|
|
Misc
|
Excludes
- Soda, tea/coffee and alcoholic beverages
- Additional food
- Travel Insurance
- Any item not mentioned in Price Includes
These hikes were one of the absolute highlights of my entire 4 years in Kathmandu!Hannah Straw |
|
||
These hikes were one of the absolute highlights of my entire 4 years in Kathmandu! |
Amazing hikes with great people. You can tell a lot of thought and planning goes into creating the most interesting route possible.Chris Hofmann |
|
||
Amazing hikes with great people. You can tell a lot of thought and planning goes into creating the most interesting route possible. |
The hike was absolutely fantastic. Great team, great views and landscape, professional organization, super care... You guys do a perfect job. It can't get more professional than that.Carolin Spannuth Verma |
|
||
The hike was absolutely fantastic. Great team, great views and landscape, professional organization, super care... You guys do a perfect job. It can't get more professional than that. |
The views of the mountains were so up close and I really appreciated that you found the trails with those gorgeous views!Caroline Vanderbeele |
|
||
The views of the mountains were so up close and I really appreciated that you found the trails with those gorgeous views! |
Thanks for organizing it so well with pick-up, lunch, water and snacks! So many beautiful scenes with diverse walking routes.Zarina Trapman |
|
||
Thanks for organizing it so well with pick-up, lunch, water and snacks! So many beautiful scenes with diverse walking routes. |
Thank you so much! The hike was great and it refreshed me a lot after long lockdown. You have nice, friendly and professional team members. The group was great too.Shahid Reza |
|
||
Thank you so much! The hike was great and it refreshed me a lot after long lockdown. You have nice, friendly and professional team members. The group was great too. |
Fun hike, the crew members are very accommodating participants' needs, well-organised, great way to discover the beauty of the Valley. Highly recommended!Pungky Utami |
|
||
Fun hike, the crew members are very accommodating participants' needs, well-organised, great way to discover the beauty of the Valley. Highly recommended! |
Bravo! They know the best part of Kathmandu for hiking. All of the team members are professional, friendly, punctual pick up time and have great sense of humor.Eka Fana |
|
||
Bravo! They know the best part of Kathmandu for hiking. All of the team members are professional, friendly, punctual pick up time and have great sense of humor. |
Valley Hikes by vonKathmandu along with their trail races are extremely well-organized. The hikes are a wonderful way to explore the outskirts of Kathmandu.Niranjan Kunwar |
|
||
Valley Hikes by vonKathmandu along with their trail races are extremely well-organized. The hikes are a wonderful way to explore the outskirts of Kathmandu. |
The organizers had really made a lot of effort to ensure a good hiking experience, regarding the path, snack and lunch and accommodating the pace to the group.Silja Kanerva |
|
||
The organizers had really made a lot of effort to ensure a good hiking experience, regarding the path, snack and lunch and accommodating the pace to the group. |
They know the best trails in Kathmandu valley, honed with week after week of recce hiking. Together they bring some of the best crew and do not compromise on the quality of service.Raj Gyawali |
|
||
They know the best trails in Kathmandu valley, honed with week after week of recce hiking. Together they bring some of the best crew and do not compromise on the quality of service. |
Glad to discover new places to hike through local villages and the different ridges, very professionally done from the pre-trip info, briefing, logistics etc! Thank you!Katherine Mah |
|
||
Glad to discover new places to hike through local villages and the different ridges, very professionally done from the pre-trip info, briefing, logistics etc! Thank you! |
Thanks for the awesome hike on Saturday. It was a beautiful day. Looking forward to another great day of hiking.Janie M Carpenter |
|
||
Thanks for the awesome hike on Saturday. It was a beautiful day. Looking forward to another great day of hiking. |
We felt completely safe and totally rejuvenated. Huge thanks to the Valley Hikes and vonKathmandu team!Bindi Borg |
|
||
We felt completely safe and totally rejuvenated. Huge thanks to the Valley Hikes and vonKathmandu team! |
Get some exercise, learn some new areas of the valley and how they connect to each other, and soak in the culture!Gogi Grewal |
|
||
Get some exercise, learn some new areas of the valley and how they connect to each other, and soak in the culture! |
Checklist
Required Gear
| • | Light trail shoes with good traction (no sandals or slippers) |
| • | Tee and a light jacket (mornings are cold) |
| • | Hiking shorts/pants |
| • | Water bottle |
| • | Rain jacket |
| • | Toilet paper |
| • | Mask (when not on trails) |
| • | Sanitizer |
| • | High spirits |
Recommended Gear
| • | Small backpack |
| • | Sunglasses with UV protection |
| • | Sunscreen |
| • | Hiking poles |
Logistics
Food
There’s one stop for lunch and a couple smaller ones for tea with a view. Sandwich, trail mix, cookies and the like are provided. You’re welcome to purchase additional food from shops along the way. Please carry water with you (along with maybe energy bars etc). Your guide will let you know where shops are, and will carry extra drinking water as reserve.
Transportation
All ground transportation is on reserved, private and disinfected vehicles. For convenience, we have several pick up locations: Sanepa, Maharajgunj Chowk, Baluwatar, Naxal and Lazimpat. We will also briefly stop at Ring Road (location depends on which direction we’re driving). Returning will be the same way back. Depending on the finishing point, Ring Road drop off can be different.
Crew
We’re a bunch of trail rats who love to explore the outdoors. For several months since the trail races came to a halt, we’ve been scouting trails (more than we should) all over the valley, and indeed have found some really interesting ones. We’re eager to share this adventure with you in a safe, fun and organized manner. We’ll do our best to give you, your family and friends a great day out in the outdoors.
Notes
There’s no rush and we’ll be taking it easy on the trails, with plenty of pauses to catch our breath and admire the views. We move as a group, and the lead guide will set the pace.
Pet policy:
The trails go through several villages where there are unleashed dogs. To avoid any dog fights, attacks and commotion, we do not allow pets (cats, dogs etc) on Valley Hikes.
Loo:
When nature calls, we find a bush – at least in many cases. Shops and eateries can be scarce on the trails (your guide will let you know), but do carry toilet paper in case you need to do your business mid hike.
Loud music:
If you want to listen to music, please use headphones, and not speakers. Doesn’t harm listening to chirpy birds, fluttering prayer flags and chatty grannies.
Tipping:
Your call. If you’re happy with our services, feel free to tip them something. You can give it to the lead guide and s/he will distribute evenly to everyone.
A few rules:
Illegal substances, including marijuana, are strictly prohibited on our hikes. No vandalism or scribbling on walls/trees. Alcohol in very limited amounts is allowed (nothing more than that for safety reasons). We highly discourage giving money to locals or kids on the way – this only feeds begging culture, inevitably leading to laziness, entitlement, no incentive to work and a lack of dignity, already a rampant problem in Nepal.
Phone signal:
You get good phone signal (and 3G data) on all the hikes, except in narrow ravines (which there are few to none).
Really depends on your habits, but Rs. 1500 extra (not even) should do fine.
Feedback:
We appreciate and are very responsive to feedback. Please don’t hesitate tell us what you think about the hikes. We’ll do our best to improve.
Payments and deadlines:
Because we need to know how many people are coming (transportation, food, coordination), we require payments a few days in advance. We start following up on Monday, and payments are ideally cleared by Tuesday – so we get most if not all admin work done well in advance. Thursday is the deadline. Friday is a nightmare.
Cancellation and refunds:
If you cannot show up for any reason, most overheads will still already have been incurred, hence we are unable to refund or transfer the funds. In the unlikely event that the hike is cancelled, full amount will be refunded.
Upcoming Trips
|
Dec |
|||
|
Dec 5 SunPikey Peak Trek
The best-kept secret in lower Solukhumbu makes for a grand alpine landscape and culture trek, with Everest and other mountains dominating the horizon. Sign Up Now |
|
Dec |
||||
|
Dec 11 SatLakhuri Ridgeline Hike
The hike up to Lakhuri Ridge is perfectly rewarded with a breathtaking bird's eye view of the valley and beyond. |
|
Dec |
|||
|
Dec 26 SunBest of Pokhara Trek
Enjoy the finest of Pokhara valley on trails that few know and tread. Traverse around Phewa, Begnas and Rupa Lakes while enjoying picturesque Himalayan views. Sign Up Now |
|
Dec |
||
|
Dec 26 SunEverest Skyline Trek
Catch a close glimpse of Mt. Everest in the skyline, chant evening prayers with monks, and get baffled with yeti folklores in the famed Sherpa land. Sign Up Now |
|
Dec 5 SunPikey Peak Trek
The best-kept secret in lower Solukhumbu makes for a grand alpine landscape and culture trek, with Everest and other mountains dominating the horizon. All tentative dates:
|
|
Dec 26 SunBest of Pokhara Trek
Enjoy the finest of Pokhara valley on trails that few know and tread. Traverse around Phewa, Begnas and Rupa Lakes while enjoying picturesque Himalayan views. All tentative dates:
|
|
Dec 26 SunEverest Skyline Trek
Catch a close glimpse of Mt. Everest in the skyline, chant evening prayers with monks, and get baffled with yeti folklores in the famed Sherpa land. All tentative dates:
|
|
Dec 11 SatLakhuri Ridgeline Hike
The hike up to Lakhuri Ridge is perfectly rewarded with a breathtaking bird's eye view of the valley and beyond. Next date: December 11, 2021 |