The beautiful Champa Devi Day Hike, situated at an altitude of 2285m southwest of Kathmandu, is one of the best short treks to escape the dusty city and enjoy nature, culture, and mountain views in a single day. This famous pilgrimage site in the Kathmandu Valley is home to both a Buddhist stupa and a Hindu shrine, making it a unique spiritual destination. Many pilgrims visit Champa Devi on full moon days, adding cultural significance to this scenic hike.
After breakfast, we drive 16 km south of Kathmandu (about one hour) to Pharping, a historic Newari town on the way to the Dakshinkali Temple. As there are no restaurants available along the route, a packed lunch will be provided.
From Pharping, the hike begins with a gradual ascent of about 30 minutes. The trail then leads toward the north ridge, winding through a lush pine forest. After around 3 hours of steady uphill hiking, we reach the summit of Champa Devi Hill (2285m). From here, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the central and western Himalayan ranges, including Langtang, Gauri Shankar, Ganesh Himal, and even glimpses of Mt. Everest on a clear day.
After relaxing and enjoying lunch at the top, we descend for about 2 hours through forest trails to Hattiban, where our vehicle will be waiting. Finally, we drive back to Kathmandu, completing this rewarding and culturally rich day hike.