Often, I want to take myself far away from this noisy city and get lost in a peaceful village somewhere far away. Because I didn’t have weeks to trek or travel, I came up with something really exciting. This time, I searched for a very easy and fun trek that could be done by all age ranges and even those with no trekking experience.
So, I planned a three-day trek from Chandragiri Cable Car that ended in Kulekhani, Markhu. The trek was not at all hard but only had slight ups and downs. One can easily navigate the locations and along with that, you will get to see different villages, their lifestyle, and the Himalayas, of course. And not to forget the pristine Indra Sarovar Lake and the beautiful Mohini fall. There’s more.
Stay tuned as I share my experience about the short trek to some of the most serene and enjoyable places in Nepal. I’ll reveal the most beautiful aspects of this trek and the places I loved the most.
Day 1: Kathmandu to Chitlang
I had an absolute blast hiking from Kathmandu to Chitlang. Early morning, I took a bus to the Chandragiri Cable Car. While I could hike up from there, I took an early morning cable car ride just for fun. And it was worth it. The view of the sun rising slowly from behind the hills and the mountains just made everything prettier.
It was a clear morning and could see mountains far away. It is said that sometimes when the sky is super clear, you can catch a glimpse of Annapurna and even Everest. After admiring the views and inhaling the fresh air for some time, I grabbed breakfast at a local hotel. The lady served me hot sel roti (fried rice bread), cooked chickpeas, and a glass of hot tea.
Then, I took a leisurely walk downhill, falling in love with the vast rhododendron forest. The sounds of the birds singing and the fresh breeze made my journey even more exciting. I even had some lovely village kids come up to me and chat in their broken English.
After hiking through the forest, I ended up on the outskirts of Chitlang which has some of the finest villages I have ever seen. I somehow got a bit of a French countryside vibe.
Places I visited in Chitlang
I only had one day and I think I made the most of it by visiting these places:
1. Goat cheese farm
There is a homestay in the village of Chitlang that makes fresh goat cheese and plum wine. I tasted the cheese and then the wine and both of them were fantastic. Surprisingly, this was the first goat cheese factory established in Nepal. I also purchased some extra soft cheese for later.
2. Bheda Farm
After a short walk from the goat cheese factory, I reached the famous Bheda Farm, a lush green ground, which I heard is the largest ground in Nepal. The cows and goats grazing peacefully on the ground made the sight even more relaxing. The surrounding hills brought so much elegance and peace into the surroundings. I sat there quietly for almost twenty minutes.
3. Satdhara
During the evening, I visited the iconic Satdhara, seven natural water springs in the middle of a jungle. A local villager accompanied me and explained to me the religious and cultural importance of the place. The sounds of the water flowing and the birds chirping just made my evening so much better. And that was it for the day.
Day 2: Chitlang to Markhu/ Kulekhani
The time spent in Chitlang was a lot of fun. The next morning, I headed out onto the main road in town and followed the trails that would lead me to Markhu. I hiked through some old villages and beautiful farmlands and was enjoying every bit of it. I was in awe of the terrace-style farms covering the hills. I hadn’t seen anything like that before.
In recent years, Markhu has become a popular spot for local tourists. I met a lot of them on the way and chatted with them. After travelling for two hours straight, I got a glimpse of the lake and knew that I was near my destination. First, I had a good lunch of dal bhaat at a local hotel nearby. I also tried local fish curry that they made from the fish from the lake and it was delicious.
Then, after some time, I decided to take a boat ride on the Indra Sarovar lake which felt like a real luxury. I’ve had many boat rides in my life but this one felt different. Some people were also taking a dip in the water which seemed quite fun. From there on, I hiked a few kilometers to a famous waterfall called Mohini Jharna.
The weather was fun and I hiked up and down the hill, paused at some spots to get the amazing view from atop, and then reached the waterfall. The day was hot so I ran into the water which felt so fresh I stayed there admiring the beauty for quite some time. Then, I made my way to my homestay where I was served local chicken soup and rice for dinner.
Day 3: Markhu to Kathmandu
I hired a boat from Markhu for USD $15 that took me to the Kulekhani Dam picnic spot. If you don’t want to take a boat and want to hike instead, that will also be pretty fun. Just a few hour’s hike will lead you to the main road where you can proceed with your journey to Kathmandu.
The boat ride was very enjoyable and that somehow reminded me of boating in Vietnam. The beautiful, turquoise water looked crystal clear in the morning and upon reaching the picnic spot, I hiked to the main road to catch a bus to Kathmandu. If you’re not a fan of travelling on a local bus, you can also pre-book a vehicle to pick you up where you desire.
The roads are bumpy and the local buses are pretty crowded. I did not have a good experience of travelling on the bus, though. For a minute I regretted that decision and wished I had either trekked or taken a private jeep.
Things I liked about Chitlang
The three-day trek to Chitlang was filled with many exciting events and places. Here are a few things that I absolutely adored about this tiny town:
1. Newari culture
Chitlang is an ancient Newari town. It felt so good to see that the town still follows hundreds of years old traditional Newari culture and practices ancient customs. The houses, temples, and lifestyle of the people also had a mixture of traditional and modern touches.
2. Organic farming
This was the most fascinating part of my journey to Chitlang. I appreciate that Chitlang is committed to growing crops using 100% organic methods which is rare.
The farmers there do not believe in chemical fertilizers and pesticides and that is what makes their crops incredibly tasty, fresh, and healthy. It’s truly one of the best spots to find fresh, organic fruits and vegetables.
3. Natural scenery
Chitlang and natural beauty are synonymous. This place has already etched a special place in my heart. The peaceful atmosphere and the warm hospitality of the locals make it an ideal escape from daily life.
The atmosphere, tiny villages, waterfall, lakes, and forests will make you never want to leave this place. It was actually hard for me to leave even after spending three days there.
Conclusion
My three-day trek to Chitlang and Markhu was a delightful escape from the boring city life. I did not take weeks off but I just completed the trek in three days and that too with so many wonderful memories. Every scene from the moment the trek started to the point it ended made it a memorable journey.
I would recommend this trek any day to anyone who is seeking a peaceful and rejuvenating yet short getaway from Kathmandu. For more exciting places about Chitlang, feel free to visit our website or contact us directly.
FAQs
Q: How difficult is the Chitlang/Kulekhani trek?
A: As I mentioned earlier, the Chitlang-Markhu trek is suitable for almost everyone and is much easier than other treks in Nepal. The trails are moderate and well-defined and there is less chance of you getting lost or not finding the way. That said, some sections can be steep so there you have to pay extra attention.
Q: Can I hike to Chitlang in Monsoon?
A: While it’s still possible to hike or trek to Chitlang during the rain, we recommend against it. The trails can become very slippery and muddy, increasing the risk of injury.
Also, the rain will obstruct any clear view, leaving you with just foggy surroundings to see. Therefore, we recommend spring, and autumn as the best time to trek to Chitlang.
