Escape the city and stumble upon a hidden world! Travel a short distance southwest of Kathmandu and find yourself at Chitlang Village, a perfect retreat, a picturesque little village where history, culture, and nature harmonize in perfect symphony.
From ancient Buddhist stupas and holy forest springs to vibrant Newar villages and even a working farm producing handmade goat’s milk cheese, this little gem provides stunning hillside views, face-to-face cultural interaction, and tranquil lakeside relaxation.
Ready to immerse yourself? Your Perfect 2-Day Chitlang Village Travel Itinerary is your complete trip planner, crafted from recent explorations to combine adventure and relaxation. Explore the best attractions, scenic strolls, history, local cuisine, and insider tips for a stress-free, memorable, and completely rejuvenating getaway.
Why Chitlang Is Your Perfect Weekend Getaway?
Chitlang is a perfect weekend getaway for those who wish to be close to nature, culture, and holistic life. Surrounded by lush green forests, rolling hills and terraced landscapes, the village has a peaceful and picturesque view ideal for relaxation and outdoor activities like hiking, trekking and boating on the nearby Kulekhani Lake.
Renowned for their organic farms, Chitlang provides travellers with fresh locally-made food, including Nepal’s very first goat cheese factory, making it a unique destination and haven for foodies and ecotourists. The village also provides travellers with an authentic cultural experience in the form of Newari traditional homes, old Buddhist monuments like the Ashoka Chaitya, and hospitable warmth through homestay families and community-based agriculture tourism in locations like the Chitlang Organic Village Resort.
Easily accessible within 2-3 hours from Kathmandu, Chitlang offers a unique mix of natural, cultural richness, and a sustainable lifestyle, making it a perfect getaway to unwind and refresh over a weekend.
Best Time to Visit
You can visit Chitlang at any time of year. If you want the best conditions, then dry seasons offer you the best time of the year. October to December and February to May offer pleasant weather with clear skies, pleasant temperatures, making it ideal for hiking, trekking and outdoor activities. Monsoon (June to September) brings heavy rainfall that can make trails slippery, and views aren’t as spectacular, so it’s usually wise to avoid this period if possible.
Transportation Options to reach Chitlang
Reaching Chitlang from Kathmandu is quite easy, and there are several modes of transportation to choose from:
1. By Public Bus:
You can always find regular buses leaving from either Kalanki Bus Park or New Bus Park in Kathmandu, which is great for tourism, as it is quite cheap.
2. By Private Vehicle(Jeep/Car/Motorbike):
You can also book a taxi or drive your vehicle, which will provide an even more comfortable and flexible method of transport. The journey will take 2-3 hours, depending on traffic levels and road conditions. Motorbiking is also a popular mode of travel for the thrill-seeker, giving one that level of freedom, fresh air to work with, and great scenery to pass along the journey.
3. For Adventure Seekers:
Some adventurous travellers will trek from Thankot to Chitlang via the Chandragiri Hill, which presents a great panorama of the city, with plenty of time for rest stops along the way if you are physically fit.
To highlight the trip from Kathmandu to Chitlang is a magnificent scenic and travelling route throughout the hills, while providing magnificent views of the Himalayas with each upward twist. The final approach to Chitlang is just valleys of lush green terraces of large and small villages.
Your Perfect 2-Day Chitlang Itinerary
Be prepared to get ready for an immersive experience! This itinerary is a mix of exploration, relaxation, and cultural exchange.
Day 1: Immersing in Village Life
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Morning: Travel and Arrival
Your Chitlang experience will begin with an early morning drive from Kathmandu. Depending on whether you take a private or public vehicle, the drive is already part of the experience. As you make your way out of the city, you will be able to see the transition from busy streets to rolling countryside.
Around mid-morning, you’ll reach Chitlang village, where the peaceful surroundings and fresh mountain air will immediately tell you that you’ve left the city chaos behind. Check into your accommodation and take some time to refresh and prepare for today’s activities.
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Afternoon: Local exploration
Once you have eaten your hot lunch at your local restaurant or hotel, you can go on your village tour. In Chitlang, the food is usually organic and local produce from local farms, and it is traditional rural Nepalese food.
You will have an afternoon of a village tour with a local community guide who will take you through the identity and ways of life, and the heritage of the community. Your weekend itineraries should also have:
i) Traditional Newari Settlements: Experiences that include travelling through the old settlements and their traditional buildings, and some insights into local everyday lives. You will have value to your weekend by accepting and exposing yourself to the warm Newa Hospitality of the village and the Newa culture.
ii) Goat Cheese Factory: Chitlang can cover the claim to fame with being Nepal’s first Goat Cheese Factory for producing goat cheese, while local milk is fermented into the richly flavored, tart cheese by artisans.
iii) Ashoka Chaitya: The ancient monument is an important ancient Buddhist monument of religious and historical significance. A simple yet exquisite structure is a sample of early Buddhist architecture and a testament to the arrival of the Emperor Ashoka to this region.
iv) Swochhanda Bhairav Temple: The temple is yet another important religious site in the region, displaying the potential richness in the area’s cultural heritage. The architecture of the temple, along with the surrounding area, indicates the religious beliefs and local religious practices of the area.
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Evening: Cultural Immersion
As the day shifts to evening, return to your hotel for your evening relaxation. Most of the Chitlang resorts and homestays will also provide evening cultural events:
i) Traditional Music and Dance: There are local festivities and local traditions, including Jatras celebrated in some places, which show their culture and their religious beliefs.
ii) Campfire Experience: Experience a campfire under the starry sky with tunes and local tales.
iii) Authentic Meals: Dinner usually has local and organic farm food served in the traditional way, i.e., Dal Bhat, Sel Roti, Dhindo, etc., which gives you the taste of Traditional Nepali Village food.
Day 2: Adventure and Scenic Beauty
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Morning: Natural Wonders
Wake up early the following day and have breakfast in your hotel before heading out to discover the natural wonders in Chitlang:
i) Satdhara (Seven Springs): A one-hour trek to this amazing natural spring has 7 stone taps that are constantly fresh. Located deep in a forest area, it is not only a natural wonder but also a sacred site for locals. The cold water and the soothing sounds surrounding it, combined with the natural scenery, make this place tranquil, especially for early morning meditation and reflection when you are sipping ice-cold water.
ii) Forest Trails: The green forests surrounding the resort offer excellent trekking opportunities, where a variety of birds abound, and you can see rich biodiversity. There may even be opportunities for you to practice photography and cherish a memory of the visit to Chitlang.
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Afternoon: Boating in Kulekhani
After hiking in the morning and lunch area, you will walk to another destination of interest in the Chitlang area – Kulekhani, commonly known as Indra Sarovar Lake.
The artificial lake is about a 40-minute hike from Chitlang village.
AT Kulekhani
i) Boating Experience: A leisurely boat ride experience on Nepal’s largest artificial lake surrounded by hills and forest, and the opportunity to see scenic green forest and the green horizon lake.
ii) Markhu Village: Some itineraries also include a visit to the nearby Markhu village, which provides an extra layer of scenic beauty and culture to look at. The village has the best of both worlds with regards to natural scenery and cultural wonder, which makes it such a great experience for the travellers.
iii) Photography: The man-made lake area can be enjoyed with the opportunity for capturing some beautiful nature photography at the lakeside on one of the clear days when you can also capture the surrounding hills reflected on the surface of the lake, as well as at serene sunrises and sunsets.
iv) Mohini Jharana: Mohini Jharana waterfall is a very beautiful and serene waterfall found in the area of Markhu, near Kulekhani, Nepal. The waterfall has exquisite scenery, vegetation and wildlife. In addition, there is a natural swimming pool where you can refresh after the exhausting expanse of travelling to reach the waterfall, whilst being embraced in the soft and refreshing embrace of the waterfall water.
Late Afternoon: Back To Kathmandu
Your two day adventure has come to an end, and so, it is now time to travel back to Kathmandu. The journey back is scenic and gives you a viewing of the hills and valleys and provides the perfect opportunity to reflect your Chitlang Experience.
If time remains, you might stop at viewpoints along the way for last-minute photography of the stunning landscape. You’ll reach Kathmandu by evening, you’ll be carrying memories of a perfect 2-day weekend getaway.
Accommodations in Chitlang
Chitlang offers various accommodation facilities for every budget and taste. The most popular choices include:
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Homestays:
The homestay experience provides a true experience of living in a village. The majority of the homestays are old Newari homes that reconnect humans with nature, heritage and traditional Newari warmth and hospitality and have been modified so that they can accommodate tourists without sacrificing their cultural charm.
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Resorts and Lodges:
For those individuals seeking more comfort, several eco-friendly resorts and lodges have been established in Chitlang. These facilities usually mix traditional architecture with modern comfort to offer a comfortable stay amidst nature in Chitlang. For a luxury and comfortable you can visit and stay at our Chitlang Organic Village Resort.
Final Thoughts
Chitlang offers the perfect balance of relaxation, adventure, cultural experiences, and natural beauty—all within a convenient distance from Kathmandu. The perfect 2-day itinerary outlined above allows you to experience a glimpse of this charming little village while providing enough flexibility to adapt to your interests and pace.
What makes Chitlang special is not just its scenic beauty or historical sites, but the opportunity to step back from fast-paced urban life and reconnect with nature and simpler living. The village gives a glimpse of Nepal’s rural heritage while providing comfortable accommodations and memorable experiences.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, culture lover, food explorer, or simply seeking a refreshing getaway, Chitlang has an authentic experience that will leave you refreshed and inspired.
Book Your Stay at Chitlang Organic Village Resort and discover why this hidden gem is quickly becoming a top weekend getaway in Nepal.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
1. What are the must-see attractions in Chitlang Village?
Ans. Chitlang is famous for its scenic hiking trails, the historic Ashoka Chaitya, the unique goat cheese factory, Satdhara (the seven natural springs), and boating at Kulekhani (Indra Sarovar) Lake.
2. What types of accommodation are available in Chitlang?
Ans. Travellers can choose from homestays for a local experience, eco-friendly resorts, and camping options. Many packages include meals, sightseeing, and activities like campfires and boating.
3. What activities can I do in Chitlang for one day?
Ans. Chitlang Village offers a variety of activities for a one-day visit. Here’s a list of things you can do:
- Hiking and Nature Walks
- Visit the Goat Cheese Factory
- Explore Saat Dhara
- Boating in Kulekhani Reservoir
- Taste Local Cuisine
