The Balthali Village Trek is a serene and accessible 2 to 3-day cultural escape near Kathmandu, offering a perfect introduction to rural Nepalese life with stunning views of the Himalayas, including Everest, from Nagarkot. This easy trek winds through lush rice terraces, traditional villages, and ancient sites like the Changu-Narayan Temple and the sacred Namo Buddha monastery, ideal for families and time-conscious travelers seeking an authentic, low-altitude Himalayan experience.
Balthali Village Trekking
Highlights of Balthali Village Trek
- Historical monuments and Changu-Narayan Temple.
- The best viewpoint in Kathmandu Valley, "Nagarkot."
- Beautiful landscapes and mountains, including Everest
- Typical villages, people, food, cultures, and lifestyles.
- Buddhist pilgrimage and sacred place Namo Buddha.
Balthali Village Trek is one of the best short trekking routes in Nepal. Balthali Village is nearby Kathmandu Valley, an ideal idea for families or people with a short time frame looking for easy day hikes around Kathmandu. Balthali Village is situated at 1730 m above sea level and 40 km away from Kathmandu at the junction of the Roshi and Ladku Rivers. It takes us past small farming villages where we get the opportunity to experience the lifestyle of local people and through the beautiful scenery of lush green forests, ancient temples, and rice-terraced fields. Balthali Village Trekking is listed as one of the best multi-day low-altitude treks by the Lonely Planet website; it is one of the largest travel sites in the world.
Itinerary
Kathmandu Changu Narayan - Trek to Nagarkot.
In the morning, around 9 AM, your Rugged Trails Nepal guide will arrive at your hotel with a vehicle and drive you to Changunarayan. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is situated on a hill about 20 kilometres east of Kathmandu in Changunarayan Village. Here, you'll find a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Protector God.
After exploring Changunarayan, we'll embark on a hike through pine forests along the ridge. The trail will take us through picturesque villages, offering breathtaking views of the mountains, until we reach Nagarkot.
Nagarkot Dhulikhel Hike - Namo Buddha.
We'll leave the guesthouse after an early wake-up call and travel to a viewpoint that provides breath-taking views of Mount Everest at sunrise. After breakfast, we'll set out on a journey through scenic hilly landscapes with quaint little villages along the way to Dhulikhel.
We will reach Dhulikhel, a historic Newari settlement with breathtaking views of Dorje Lakpa, Gauri Shankar, and Langtang peaks, after around five hours of hiking. We'll take a private vehicle to Namobuddha after arriving in Dhulikhel. You will have a private room with an en suite bathroom as our day's lodging inside the monastery. We'll share meals and take part in the evening prayers with the monks inside the monastery.
Namo Buddha Trek to Balthali Village.
We will travel to Balthali village after breakfast and morning prayers with the monks at Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery. For around an hour, our journey will take us through open fields and charming villages before arriving at the Roshi River. We're going to cross a strong aluminum bridge here. The path stays open until we get close to the river.
We'll cross the bridge, then head up the stone stairs while going by orange fields to the right. After that, we'll take a stroll across fields that are mostly green and productive in the spring and summer with potatoes. These fields are farmed with wheat and paddy in the fall. The broad walking trail that winds through these enormous fields provides breathtaking views and is a great place to take candid pictures. The houses of the locals are positioned at the boundaries of the fields, as if to protect the cropland. We are going to stay overnight in Balthali village.
Balthali Village Trek to Panauti - Drive to Kathmandu.
After a one-hour hike from Balthali to Khopasi, we'll take a short 15-minute drive to Panauti. This charming Newari village is nestled between the Punyamata and Roshi streams and features the impressive three-tiered Indreswor Mahadev Temple. Our walk through Panauti will be delightful as we explore its many temples and traditional houses.
From Panauti, we'll drive back to Kathmandu and transfer you to your hotel, concluding your Balthali village trek. Take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy the delicious food, shopping, and relaxing massages available in Thamel. If you require any further assistance or have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Trip Map & Altitude
Cost Details
What’s Included
- Accommodation during the trek: hotel / guest house with breakfast
- The government registered English-speaking local expert guides.
- Private transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the trek
- First Aid Kit.
- Balthali Trekking Map for Each Member
- Salary, allowances, expenses, & insurance for all staff.
What’s Excluded
- Meals except breakfast.
- Personal gear & clothing.
- Table drinks and snacks while walking
- Personal travel insurance.
- Service other than mentioned above
- Expenses incurred due to accidents, landslides, strikes, political unrest, etc.
- Tipping for guide.
- Accommodation in Kathmandu.
Private Trip
Client Reviews
Three Days Kathmandu Valley Trek
My daughter and I signed up for a three day trekking experience in the Kathmandu valley with Rugged Trails Nepal. I particularly liked that it was a private tour with our own guide and porter....

