The distance from Kathmandu to Chandragiri cable car station is around 15 km. Chandragiri is a small hill station in the southern part of Kathmandu Valley. It sits 2500 meters above sea level and is famous for its cable car ride. At the top of the hill is a temple called Bhaleshwor Mahadev. Numerous Hindu devotees from Nepal and India visit the temple. If you’re looking for a short hike around Kathmandu Valley, hiking to the Chandragiri Hills is the best option.
Chandragiri Hills offers numerous recreational activities. Chandragiri Resort is one of the best resorts to spend quality time. From there, you can witness the entire Kathmandu Valley from the top. There are a few photogenic spots on the top for you to click memories. The cable car ride is extremely popular as many families visit the place to enjoy the weekends. Several restaurants serve you different continental dishes. There’s a playground where your children can play. You can even perform adventurous activities like zip lines, as there is a short zip line.
Moreover, this hill station offers views of mountains like Ganesh Himal, Mount Manaslu, Langtang Lirung, etc. The famous Hindu God Lord Shiva is worshipped in the Bhaleshwor temple. During Shrawn( August), numerous devotees visit the temple to worship Lord Shiva.
Table of Contents
Chandragiri Cable Car Ride
The Chandragiri Cable Car ride is the most preferred route to travel to Chandragiri Hills. It is a short ride that takes just 10 minutes to reach the top from the base. They claim it is the safest ride as cable cars are backed up with generators in case of emergency power cuts. Besides that, they have a stand-by emergency rescue driver arranged for customers to reach the bottom station whenever required.
You can witness the best views of the Kathmandu Valley while riding up to the hills. The price of the cable car ride varies by Nationality. The one-way price for Nepali citizens is Rs 495, and the Two-way price is 825. If you’re a visitor from SAARC countries, the one-way fare for you is Rs 790, and the two-way fare is 1320. Visitors from the neighboring nation, China, should pay $9 for one-way tickets and $ 16 for two-way tickets. Besides that, the one-way ticket fare is $13, and the two-way ticket fare is $23 for every other visitor.
There’s a special discount for locals, students, kids, and elderly citizens. Children under 3 feet and Elderly people over 80 years will have free entry to the Cable car. Moreover, there will be a 25% discount for locals, students, Expats, and Elderly People over 60. In addition to these, they offer a special 50% discount for differently abled people.
Read More For Vehicle Rental In Nepal
Kathmandu to Chandragiri by Car Or Jeep
There is a road to the top of the hill station. You can travel there in a car or jeep. You need to pay a little to drive this way. The distance from the Kathmandu Airport to the base of the Chandragiri Hills is around 20 km. The price of renting a car or jeep varies according to your pick-up point. In general, it costs you NPR 4500 for a car and NPR 6500 for a jeep. It is one of the most convenient ways to travel to Chandragiri.
Kathmandu to Chandragiri by Hiace
If you have a group of 10-14 people, hiring a Hiace is the best option for going to Chandragiri. The price might vary depending on your pick-up point, but generally, it costs NPP 7500. You can also opt for a Van or a Sumo if you’re about 8-10 people on similar pricing.
Kathmandu to Chandragiri by Local Bus
If you’re on a budget, opting for a local bus is the best. A public bus facility directly takes you to a cable car station. You can get the bus from the Gangabu bus stop or any other stops along the way. It costs you around Rs 50. This local bus will consume time to reach the base station. It is not guaranteed that you will find a seat. These buses are highly crowded. Upon reaching the top, you need to get a cable car ride.
Cost Information For Kathmandu To Chandragiri
- Car: NPR 4500
- Jeep: NPR 6500
- Hiace: NPR 7500
Kathmandu to Chandragiri via Hiking [Alternative]
It is the best option for a short hike near Kathmandu Valley. The hike begins from Mata Tirtha, and it takes 3-4 hours to reach the top. You can encounter different flora and fauna during the trek.
Why rent a vehicle from Kathmandu to Chandragiri?
Renting a vehicle from Kathmandu to Chandragiri offers unparalleled comfort and flexibility. Unlike public transport’s crowded and chaotic experience, a leased vehicle provides a private, climate-controlled environment with spacious seating. Thus allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey. The flexibility of setting your schedule, making stops at scenic spots, and customizing your route to avoid traffic adds to the convenience. This comfort and freedom are great for solo and group trips.
If you are traveling in a group, the cost can be shared among members. This makes renting a vehicle a cost-effective choice. With a direct, non-stop ride from your hotel to your destination, you will avoid the hassle of transfers and multiple stops associated with public buses.
Planning your trip from Kathmandu to Chandragiri
There are several ways to reach the Chandragiri hills. You can travel by road, take a cable car, or hike up to the top of Chandragiri. If you’re an adventure lover, you can take a short 3-4-hour hike from Mata Tirtha to the top. If you want comfort, a 10-minute climb with a cable car will take you to the top. Besides that, you can drive up to the top.
This trip is feasible all year long. During summer, people visit the hill station to enjoy the cold weather. Spring and Autumn offer the best views of the Himalayas, offering clear weather. This region receives snowfall during winter. Many people from the valley visit here to enjoy the snowfall during winter. It is one of the best destinations, requiring no season to visit. The tour to Chandragiri should be on your bucket list if you’re visiting the capital of Nepal.
Conclusion
To sum up, it is one of the best places to explore near Kathmandu Valley. This small hill station offers you numerous activities. You can enjoy the short cable car ride and witness the aerial view of the valley, or you can hike up to the top. You can also perform various recreational activities while enjoying the mountain views.
The Bhaleshwor Temple is another attraction for devotees. If you’re looking for a place to spend a day near Valley, this place should be on your go-to list. Moreover, this place can be the best destination for families where they can spend some time with their offspring. There’s a separate playing zone for children.
FAQs
What is Chandragiri Nepal famous for?
Chandragiri is the nearest hill station. It has Bahaleshwor Mahadev Temple, which is mainly famous among Hindu devotees. The place also provides only cable car rides in the Valley. It also provides panoramic views of some beautiful snow-capped mountains.
How much is the ticket price for Chandragiri Cable Car?
The price for a foreigner’s two-way ticket is $23. Likewise, the two-way price for a Chinese citizen is $16. For a member of the SAARC nations, the two-way price is just Rs 1320. Finally, the two-way price for a Nepali citizen is Rs 825.
Can you see Everest from Chandragiri Hills?
You can see Everest from Chandragiri Hills only when the weather is clear. You can also see other mountains like Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung, Langtang Ri, etc. Since Everest is in Eastern Nepal, you might need binoculars to spot its summit.
How high is Chandragiri Hills from Kathmandu?
Chandragiri Hills is 2,550 meters above sea level, while the Kathmandu Valley is approximately 1,400 meters above sea level. Therefore, Chandragiri Hills is about 1,150 meters higher than Kathmandu.
How far is Chandragiri from Kathmandu?
Chandragiri Hills is approximately 20 kilometers from Kathmandu Airport to the base station. Driving to the top of the hills is an additional 15 kilometers from the base station.