based on 1 reviewChampa Devi Day Tour Overview
If you have limited time and prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu Valley, then the Champa Devi Hill Day Hike is the perfect destination for you. The Champa Devi Day Hike is a truly breathtaking scenic day hike on the outskirts of Kathmandu.
After a 45-minute drive from Thamel to the west, we reach Pharping village, where our pleasant hike begins. The trail gradually ascends through the lush pine forest, along with the colorful Buddhist prayer flags. During our hike, you will be greeted by the panoramic scenery of massifs such as Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, Dorje Lakpa, Gaurishanker, and countless snow-capped Himalayan vistas.
Moreover, the Champadevi Day Tour gives you the unique opportunity to walk through the charming ridge and explore the massive Kathmandu Valley against a stunning background of rolling hills. The trail is quite organized and calm. You may have a great opportunity to explore beautiful birds, flora, and fauna. Ultimately, we reach 2285 meters (7496 feet) at Champadevi Hill, which is known as a shrine to the goddess. Despite the popularity of hiking destinations, it is equally popular and worthwhile for the local pilgrims to worship Champa Devi and get blessed.
Normally, people return the same way from Champadevi Hill. If you are fit and prefer more challenge and longer distance hike, then only carry on to Basmasur Hill and Chandragiri Hill.
The Champa Devi Temple
Nestled atop the Champadevi Hill, the Champadevi Temple is dedicated to the goddess Champa Devi, a manifestation of Durga. This particular location holds deep significance to both Hindus and Buddhists. As a matter of fact, Champadevi Temple has long been a focal point of spiritual life for the local communities surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. For centuries, it has been a place where devotees seek blessings for fertility, health, and prosperity.
Moving on, this temple is also intertwined with the daily life and cultural practices of the local people. Often locals believe that Champa Devi as a guardian figure who protects the region from evil forces, with her divine presence thought to shield the valley below. Hence, the hill itself is seen as a spiritual entity who blesses travelers with peace and balance.
Talking about the built of the temple, it stands in a Nepali pagoda-style, with intricately carved wooden pillars, stone sculptures, and colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind. During your visit, you will see the temple adorned with images of Durga and statues of other dieties. What sets the temple apart, however, is its serene location at the top of Champadevi Hill. The journey to the temple, via a short but rewarding trek, takes pilgrims and trekkers through lush forests and rugged paths.
Here, the temple grounds also feature a peaceful courtyard, with benches for visitors to sit and meditate. Nearby, there are small shrines and offerings scattered throughout the area, where people place flowers, incense, and light candles.
Scenic Trek To Champa Devi
The journey to Champa Devi begins just outside of Kathmandu, in the quiet town of Pharping, which is easily accessible by a short drive from the city center. Starting here, the trail takes you through the lush hills and terraced farmlands. As you step onto the trail, you will immediately feel the contrast between the urban hustle of Kathmandu and the peaceful stillness of nature.
Well, the trekking route itself is moderately challenging with ruggeed path and crispy air as you ascend higher. During this climb, you will also get to witness local life - people working in the fields, children playing, and the occasional yak or goat wandering by. Moving on, the final part of this hike consists of steep climb through dense forests of oak, rhododendron, and pine.
If you are traveling during the Spring season, you will find the trails adorned with blooming rhododendrons that paints the hill in red, pink, and white. Additioanlly, you will also stumble across various wild herbs, medicinal plants, and an array of mosses and ferns. In the early morning or late afternoon, you may catch glimpses of wildlife such as monkeys, wild boars, and a variety of birds, including eagles, pheasants, and woodpeckers. Likewise, this hike is also a fantastic opportunity for birdwatchers.
Views During Champa Devi Day Excursion
The trek to Champa Devi offers countless opportunities to capture nature’s beauty through your lens. During the early parts of the hike, you will see terraced fields and scattered villages with the vieews of mountains in the distant. As you continue up the trail, the dense forests and the vibrant rhododendron blooms offer stunning close-up photography opportunities. Additionally, you will also get incredible views of the Himalayan mountain range, including peaks such as Langtang and Ganesh Himal. Upon reaching the summit, the entire Kathmandu Valley unfolds before you, with the city, river systems, and far-off villages framed by the towering mountains in the distance. Likewise, you will also have the Champa Devi Temple adorned with prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
Champadevi to Chandragiri via Bhasmasur Viewpoint
Beyond Champa Devi Hill, our journey continues to Bhasmasur Hill 2500 meters (8202 feet), which is my favorite viewpoint too. As challenging as the hike to reach Bhasmasur is, it is equally rewarding, scenic, and outstanding. Ultimately, we reach our final destination, Chandragiri Hill, at 2,520 meters (8,267 feet), where we enjoy a delicious lunch and drinks with stunning Himalayan vistas as our surroundings. Finally, you will be treated to a cable car ride down to Chandragiri village, from which we will return to the hotel by car for the night.
Since I've done most of the hikes around Kathmandu Valley, Champadevi to Chandragiri via Bhasmasur Hill is my favorite. You will never regret taking such a hike in your life. If you have any confusion, then please do not hesitate to contact our experts right away.
Note: Earlier than Chandragiri Hill, we won’t have proper stops for lunch and drinks. So, please carry at least two liters of water bottles and snacks.
Best Time To Visit To Champa Devi Temple
The best time for a day tour to Champa Devi is during the Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) seasons, when the weather is ideal for trekking and the landscape is at its most captivating.
Spring is one of the most vibrant times to visit Champadevi, as the region bursts into color with the blooming of rhododendrons, magnolias, and various wildflowers. During this time of the year, the air is fresh and crisp with moderate temperature and stunning views of the surrounding hills and distant Himalayan peaks. Here, the weather is generally sunny but occasional light showers may occur. These showers are usually brief.
After the Monsoon rains have subsided by September, it leaves crystal-clear skies and a refreshing atmosphere. During Autumn, the temperature is mild and you will get the sharpest views of snow-capped peaks like Langtang and Ganesh Himal. The weather is dry with little to no rainfall. Additionally, Autumn also brings celebration of Dashain and Tihar.
Now, you can hike the Champa Devi Hill during Winter (December to November) and Summer / Monsoon (June to August) as well, however, the conditions are not favorable. During Winter, the temperature is quite cold with the chances of snowfall, hence, the trails get quite slippery. As for Monsoon, it brings heavy rainfall all over the valley which make the trails slippery and challenging to navigate.
Book Champa Devi Temple Hike With Nepal Trekking Experts
To book Champa Devi Day Tour with us, you have to send a 10% deposit of the total cost. Please also forward a copy of your passport, a passport-sized photo, and full flight details if and when available. For your convenience, you may forward the deposit online through our website. It is completely safe, and as soon as you make it, you will get an automatic receipt in your inbox. The rest of the payment can be paid upon arrival.
