Dhulikhel, Nagarkot and Changunarayan trek
Trip Duration: 2 days
Max. Elevation: 2175m, Nagarkot
Grade: Easy
If you wish for an easy trek while you are in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and you are on a tight schedule, then a 2-day trek from Dhulikhel to Nagarkot and Changunarayan is a perfect option for you.
This trek is a unique blend of natural as well as cultural site seeing. During this hike, you will get the chance to observe and experience the beauty of Nepal along with short cultural sightseeing.
The trek starts from the ancient town of Dhulikhel. It once was a stopping point in the ancient trade route between Tibet and Kathmandu. From Dhulikhel, you will hike through woodland with lush greenery that leads you to the beautiful town of Nagarkot.
Nagarkot is a popular travel destination where you will get the exquisite views of the Himalayas including Mt. Everest and peaks of Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Annapurna etc.
Moreover, the spectacular sunrise and sunset views from Nagarkot viewpoint is one of the highlights of the entire trek.
Spending overnight at Nagarkot enjoying the beautiful sunset and sunrise view, the trek descends to Changunarayan, a sacred shrine for Hindus. This popular temple is situated atop the hill in the ancient city of Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is famous for its ancient yet spectacular monuments filled with extraordinary fine art.
And finally, after Changunarayan you will drive back to Kathmandu which is a short one hour drive.
Dhulikhel, Namobuddha and Panauti Trek
Trip duration: 2 days
Max. Elevation: 1750m, Namobuddha
Grade: Easy
Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti trek is among popular 2 days treks in Nepal that starts from Kathmandu. This trek is also called trek for monastery and temples. Dhulikhel is a small Newari town with old houses and temples.
Dhulikhel is about 30 kilometers away from Kathmandu through the Araniko highway. Dhulikhel is a hill station to see the beautiful snow-peaked Himalaya. The local people of Nepal often spend their weekend there to stay away from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu city life.
Your trek will start from Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha which will take you about 4 to 5 hours. You will visit the Namo Buddha viewpoint, Namobuddha monastery, and temples.
And on the next day, you will trek down to Panauti 1340m which takes about 3 hours. Here you will get to witness the Newari people and their culture. Panauti is a small town filled with temples and religious buildings.
The biggest temple is the 3 storeys temple named Indreshwar Mahadev which stands tall at the middle of a courtyard paved with brick.
After exploring the town for a bit you will drive back for 1.5 or 2 hrs to reach Kathmandu from Panauti.
Shivapuri to Chisapani Trek
Trip Duration: 2 days
Max Elevation: 2732m, Shivapuri
Grade: Easy
For those who are looking for a short trek from Kathmandu, Shivapuri to Chisapani can be an ideal trek. This trek is a pleasant walk into nature and is a perfect short getaway.
In this trek, you will drive to Sundarijal that lies at an altitude of 1350m. Then you will walk uphill to Chisapani.
The unpaved road from Kathmandu turns into a trail near a small hydroelectric plant. The trail passes through the Shivapuri watershed and wildlife reserve.
During the trek, the first settlement you will come across is Mulkharka with Tamang inhabitants. You will pass through the forest of oaks and rhododendron to Chisapani at 2300m.
At Chisapani you will get a magnificent view of Annapurna in the west to Everest in the east. Langtang ranges. The next day you will trek from Chisapani to Shivapuri. You will walk through the forest and less marked trail. It is an easy walk because of gradual ascend and leveled trail.
You will then descend to Budhanilkantha which is a small town situated on the slope to the north of Kathmandu, this place is named after famous Budhanilkantha Temple. And finally, drive back to Kathmandu.
Chandragiri, Chitlang, Markhu and Kulekhani Trek
Trip duration: 2 days
Max. elevation: 2540m, Chandragiri Hills
Grade: Easy to moderate
This is an interesting trek that starts from the capital city straight to Matatirtha, a famous Hindu shrine.
Once you reach there, the trek starts towards the Chandragiri Hilltop. The hill provides panoramic views of Kathmandu valley and the Himalayan ranges of Annapurna in the east to the Everest in the west.
Chandragiri hill has lately become a famous destination both for locals and tourists. All thanks to the establishment of cable cars.
Next, from Chandragiri, you will hike to Chitlang, an ancient Newari settlement in Makwanpur district. This place offers a fascinating charm with different artistic monuments, pagoda roofs, and unique craftsmanship.
You will then continue your trek all the way to Kulekhani. Kulekhani is famous for Indrasarobar, the largest manmade lake in Nepal. This place attracts visitors for activities like boating and fishing. After that, you will drive back to the Kathmandu valley.
Sarangkot, Australian Camp, Dhampus Trek
Trip Duration: 2 days
Max. Elevation: 2055m, Australian Camp
Grade: Easy
Sarangkot – Australian Camp – Dhampus trek is a short 2 days trek from Pokhara which one can easily do without giving trouble to your lungs.
Pokhara is one of the best travel destinations and you can splurge on some of the worlds best trekking trails from this amazing city.
Hence among the lot, 2 days Sarangkot Australian Camp Dhampus trek is a perfect one night two days trek.
Sarangkot Hill is a 40 minutes drive on the northern hillock of Pokhara. From here one can witness a spectacular sunrise view. Along with a beautiful Himalayan view such as Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri range, Machhapuchhre, etc.
From Sarangkot you will hike to Australian camp which takes about 5 hours. And during this hike you will come across local villages, local people and their lifestyle.
Further, the journey from Australian Camp to Dhampus village is a pleasant trail as you walk through the jungle.
And later form Dhampus village, you will walk stone steps down to Phedi from where you will drive back to Pokhara.
So if you are someone who has concerns about the altitude. Then this trek is ideal for you as it takes place in the low altitude. Moreover, you can take this trek with your family or friends.
Ghorepani Poon Hill trek
Trip duration: 2 days
Max. Elevation: 3210m, Poon Hill
Grade: Easy to moderate
Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is another amazing trek in Pokhara. This trek is appropriate for those who have the physical strength to conquer the 4 days path in 2 days. This is great for those who have limited stay time in Nepal.
This trek is one of the most popular yet easy treks that meander through the beautiful ethnic villages of Annapurna region.
To get to Poon Hill you will have to take some grueling steps. But once you reach the top, the mesmerizing sunrise view on the snowy rugged Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range will make every step worth it.
Here, one can capture the best pictures of mighty Himalayan ranges. Such as Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Lamjung Himal, Gangapurna, etc.
That is not it. The charming settlements of ethnic communities, diverse landscape, quaint Himalayan ranges, and cascading waterfalls are some of the highlights of this wonderful trek.
Ghandruk Village Trek
Trip duration: 2 days
Max.elevation: 1940m, Ghandruk
Grade: Easy
Ghandruk village trek is a famous trek both among Nepalese as well as the international tourists. It has plenty of natural beauty and one can even witness the culture and tradition of its people.
The views of the mountain in the south like Himchuli and Machhapuchhre makes it a purely natural setting.
This beautiful trek also offers beautiful views of flora and fauna. The trek starts from Pokhara towards Nayapul which will take approximately 1 and a half hour to reach. You will then head towards your destination that is Ghandruk.
After walking for about 5 hours along with the views of mountains, greenery, and local surrounding, you will reach Ghandruk.
Ghandruk is the second largest Gurung village in Annapurna region. Here you can explore the old Gurung Museum and enjoy the diverse flora and fauna. You will also get to know about the lifestyles of locals living in the village.
The next day you will take the same route back to Nayapul from where you will drive to Pokhara.
Best Time for 2 Days Trek in Nepal
Since the 2 days treks in Nepal are mostly in the lower altitudes near the cities, you can plan to go on these treks throughout the year. However to be precise, Spring and Autumn are considered best time to take any treks in Nepal.
Spring, that is from March to May, is the peak months in Nepal. During this time, you will get the view of lush green valleys, vegetation, and forest. Also, you can see the blooming of local flora. It is even a great time to spot the wildlife of the region.
The temperature is also favorable for the trek with dry, clear and warm days. Moreover, the visibility is clear with blue skies, mountain peaks, and the surrounding hills.
Autumn months are from September to November. With great visibility and moderate temperature, these months are the peak season in Nepal besides Spring.
And unlike long treks which take place in the high altitudes, trekking in winter is possible for these 2 days treks. The lower elevation sees the cool temperature ranging from 8 to 12 degree Celsius.
However, in comparison to the other two seasons, there are fewer visitors in winter. Hence you can have the trails all to yourself.
And, lastly, Summer season is the least recommended season due to torrential rainfall that occurs in the lower regions. This makes the trails muddy and slippery with the risk of landslides.
To add more, the infestations of insects are high during this time. With insects such as mosquitoes, leeches, flies, etc.
But if you do not find all these much of a big deal then Summer can be a beautiful time where you could spot a colorful rainbow. Also during this time, the rivers, streams, and waterfalls will be full of vibrant and lush forests.