Chandra Giri Hills: Your Guide to Kathmandu's Scenic Mountain Retreat - Nepal Purple Travel Guide
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Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel GuideChandragiri Hills: Breathtaking Views and Spiritual Serenity in Kathmandu
Rising above the southwestern edge of the Kathmandu Valley, Chandragiri Hills is one of Nepal’s most scenic and accessible hilltop destinations. Offering sweeping views of the Himalayas and the entire valley below, this popular spot combines natural beauty, cultural significance, and family-friendly attractions.
Yes, it is possible to see Mount Everest from Chandragiri Hills on a clear day, but because it so is far away, it will appear as just one of many peaks and it will not appear as the tallest. To help you identify Mount Everest, there is a picture at one of the viewpoints that shows the names of the peaks that you can see.
Important: Before you go to Chandra Giri Hills, make sure the weather is good. If you see low hanging clouds, or the weather report shows a chance of rain that is higher than ‘very low’ (as in higher than 10 or 15%), then chances are that the upper cable car location is covered in clouds and you will see nothing but fog.
Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we typically promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the Viator tours below.
free GuruWalk tours
paid Viator tours
The Origin of the Name Chandragiri Hills
The name ‘Chandragiri’ is derived from Sanskrit, where ‘Chandra’ means moon and ‘Giri’ means hill or mountain. The name evokes both the poetic beauty of the location and its serene, elevated setting. Historically, Chandragiri Hills also holds spiritual and strategic importance. It is said that King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the unifier of Nepal, first envisioned his plan to conquer the Kathmandu Valley while standing atop this hill, captivated by the view of the land below.
Key Attractions at Chandragiri Hills
Chandragiri Cable Car
The most popular way to reach the summit is via the Chandragiri Cable Car, a modern and safe ride that spans approximately 1.5 miles (2.5 km). The ride takes about 9 minutes and offers stunning aerial views of the dense forests, rolling hills, and traditional villages below. It’s a highlight for both local and international visitors.
A return trip cable car ticket costs US$25 per person at the time of writing.Baleshwar Mahadev Temple
At the top of the hill sits the Baleshwar Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is a sacred site for Hindu pilgrims and adds a spiritual dimension to the visit. Some locals come here to worship, especially during festivals and auspicious dates on the lunar calendar.Panoramic Mountain Views
From the summit, visitors are treated to panoramic views of the Himalayan range, including peaks like Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Gaurishankar, and even glimpses of Mount Everest on clear days. The scenic beauty makes it a favorite for photographers and nature lovers.Family-Friendly Amenities and Entertainment
Chandragiri Hills also features a landscaped park, restaurants, a children’s playground, and a zip bike - making it a good destination for the whole family.
Cable Car at Chandragiri Hills
A cable car ride up the hill takes around 9min. From the upper station, there is still a significant uphill walk required to get to the vista points and entertainment facilities.
Please be advised that it is significantly cooler at the upper cable car station – you should expect it to be about 10 F (6 C) cooler compared to the base station.
At the time of writing, the cable car:
Admission is US$23 per foreigner, but there are several discounts for children, students and older people
Has these operating hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 8am – 6pm
Break Time: noon – 1pm
Friday – Saturday: 8am – 9pm
Note: On Saturdays and Public Holidays there is no break; please check the website if the cable car is open before you go, as it periodically closes for multiple days for maintenance, or may be closed due to bad weather.
Back to your self-guided tour
Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel
Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.
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