Finally, our community hike to Telkot - changu Narayan was successful! This short hiking trip had been in our plans for a long time. We often talked about organizing a short hike with friends, but our busy schedules and work commitments kept it from happening.
Recently, after finishing planning a motorcycle trip for our clients, I finally had some free time. That’s when I thought it would be a good idea to start organizing hikes for friends and people who enjoy nature. I shared this idea with my friend Hira Kaji, an experienced freelance tour guide who has been busy with his accounting job lately. Together, we wanted to create a small community of people who love hiking, exploring nature, and spending time outdoors during their free time.
For many people who work long hours in offices, hiking can be a form of therapy. Walking through forests, breathing fresh air, and disconnecting from daily stress can do wonders for both the body and mind. With this idea in mind, we decided to organize our first community hike.
Hiking details
Duration: 2–3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy – suitable for beginners
• Starting point: Telkot
• Ending point: Changu Narayan Temple
• Best season: All year except heavy monsoon
First selfie picture with our group before the hike starts
Planning the Hike
About a week before the event, I posted an announcement about the hike on social media. I chose Changu Narayan as our destination because it is a historical and cultural heritage site, and I wanted more people to learn about its importance. Changu Narayan Temple is one of Nepal's oldest temples and holds deep historical significance.
Since it had been almost a year since we last hiked together, we decided to start with a short, easy hike as a warm-up for everyone.
Although I shared the event widely, not many people were able to join. A few friends initially showed interest but had to cancel due to their busy schedules. Nevertheless, this is just the beginning. We already have plans for more hikes soon. Since it is March, one of the best seasons to travel in Nepal, we are hoping to organize hikes to places where we can see the beautiful red rhododendron flowers around the Kathmandu Valley.
Gathering the Group
We started our hike from City Motorbike, our meeting point since it was convenient for everyone. In total, there were five people, including Hira Kaji and me.
Three of the participants were hiking for the first time, which made the trip even more exciting.
The Journey to the Starting Point:
We began our journey in Bagbazar, taking a local bus to Bhaktapur. Since there is no direct bus to Nagarkot or Telkot from Bagbazar, we had to take at least two buses to reach the hike's starting point.
Although we could have used motorcycles, our starting and ending points were different, so traveling by local bus was the most practical option.
The ride from Bagbazar to Bhaktapur took about 45 minutes. One important thing to note is that there are only a few buses available from Bagbazar, so timing is important.
After reaching Bhaktapur, we stopped at a local shop for breakfast. We wanted to eat properly before starting the hike so we could walk comfortably and enjoy the journey. We also bought some fruits and dry snacks to carry with us.
From Bhaktapur, we took another bus to Telkot, the starting point of our hike. Similar to Bagbazar, buses to Telkot are limited, so planning the timing is important. Otherwise, you might have to wait 30–45 minutes for the next bus.
After about 45 minutes, we arrived at Telkot Bus Park.
Before starting the hike, we gathered together and briefly discussed the dos and don’ts of hiking, safety tips, and checked that everyone had the necessary items.
The Hike Begins
The hike began with a beautiful trail through forest paths, village landscapes, and mustard fields. At some points, we had to climb steep ladders, which added a bit of adventure to the hike.
Because it had rained lightly the day before, some of the ladders were a bit slippery, so we had to be careful.
Interestingly, during the previous week, the weather in Kathmandu had been extremely polluted and hazy. But thanks to the rain, the air was clear and fresh that day. We were lucky to enjoy beautiful green views and clearer skies.
Visiting Sakhu Shree Panch Mahalaxmi Temple
During the hike, we passed through Sakhu Shree Panch Mahalaxmi Temple. There were many schoolchildren visiting the temple on educational trips. We spent some time there, explored the area, and took a few photos before continuing our hike.
Through the Forest to Changu Narayan
From there, we continued hiking through forest trails toward Changu Narayan via Trishul Danda. The hike took about two hours, and we took several short breaks along the way.
We met many tourists on the trail. Interestingly, some foreign hikers were collecting trash left by others. It was inspiring but also a little disappointing to see that visitors were cleaning up litter left behind by other hikers. Fortunately, the trail itself was relatively clean, with only a small amount of trash visible.
I would like to remind all hikers:
Leave no trace. Carry your waste with you and help keep our trails clean.
Exploring Changu Narayan Temple
After a long but enjoyable hike, we finally reached Changu Narayan Temple. For me, it had been almost 10 years since my last visit, so it felt special to return. Since both Hira Kaji and Sudarshan are tour guides, they explained many interesting details about the temple, its statues, and its historical significance. Changu Narayan is considered one of the oldest temples in Nepal, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There were many tourists around the temple, all curious about its history.
To be honest, even as a Nepali, I realized how much I still have to learn about our own heritage sites and cultural history.
Lunch and Bhaktapur Visit
After spending about an hour exploring the temple area, we stopped for lunch at a local restaurant.
Then we took a bus from Changu Narayan to Bhaktapur. Similar to other routes, buses run only at certain times, so we had to wait about 20 minutes before the next bus arrived.
While waiting, we shared travel stories and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. The ride to Bhaktapur Durbar Square took about 40 minutes. Bhaktapur is famous for its traditional yogurt called Juju Dhau, also known as the “King of Curd.”
To end our trip perfectly, we explored the local area and enjoyed a delicious Newari lunch at a local restaurant. Over lunch, we shared hiking experiences, preparation tips, and feedback about the route.
A Great First Community Hike
According to my Strava app, we covered nearly 32 kilometers throughout the day, including travel and hiking.
Overall, it was an amazing experience with wonderful people. This was just the beginning of what we hope will become a small but growing community of hikers.
We are planning to organize more free community hikes in the coming months, and I’m glad that many friends have already shown interest in joining our future adventures. Until then, enjoy the photos from this hike!
Want to join our next hike?
Click below or send me a message to get the details.
Instagram: Sujan Maharjan
Instagram: Hira kaji Maharjan
Instagram: sudarshan Jung sahi
Recently, after finishing planning a motorcycle trip for our clients, I finally had some free time. That’s when I thought it would be a good idea to start organizing hikes for friends and people who enjoy nature. I shared this idea with my friend Hira Kaji, an experienced freelance tour guide who has been busy with his accounting job lately. Together, we wanted to create a small community of people who love hiking, exploring nature, and spending time outdoors during their free time.
For many people who work long hours in offices, hiking can be a form of therapy. Walking through forests, breathing fresh air, and disconnecting from daily stress can do wonders for both the body and mind. With this idea in mind, we decided to organize our first community hike.
Hiking details
Duration: 2–3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy – suitable for beginners
• Starting point: Telkot
• Ending point: Changu Narayan Temple
• Best season: All year except heavy monsoon
First selfie picture with our group before the hike starts
Planning the Hike
About a week before the event, I posted an announcement about the hike on social media. I chose Changu Narayan as our destination because it is a historical and cultural heritage site, and I wanted more people to learn about its importance. Changu Narayan Temple is one of Nepal's oldest temples and holds deep historical significance.
Since it had been almost a year since we last hiked together, we decided to start with a short, easy hike as a warm-up for everyone.
Although I shared the event widely, not many people were able to join. A few friends initially showed interest but had to cancel due to their busy schedules. Nevertheless, this is just the beginning. We already have plans for more hikes soon. Since it is March, one of the best seasons to travel in Nepal, we are hoping to organize hikes to places where we can see the beautiful red rhododendron flowers around the Kathmandu Valley.
Gathering the Group
We started our hike from City Motorbike, our meeting point since it was convenient for everyone. In total, there were five people, including Hira Kaji and me.
Three of the participants were hiking for the first time, which made the trip even more exciting.
- Sudarshan, a Chinese-speaking tour guide who has mostly explored the Kathmandu Valley but rarely goes on hikes
- Sujit, who had done a hike with me many years ago
- Anish, who was returning to hiking after many years
The Journey to the Starting Point:
We began our journey in Bagbazar, taking a local bus to Bhaktapur. Since there is no direct bus to Nagarkot or Telkot from Bagbazar, we had to take at least two buses to reach the hike's starting point.
Although we could have used motorcycles, our starting and ending points were different, so traveling by local bus was the most practical option.
The ride from Bagbazar to Bhaktapur took about 45 minutes. One important thing to note is that there are only a few buses available from Bagbazar, so timing is important.
After reaching Bhaktapur, we stopped at a local shop for breakfast. We wanted to eat properly before starting the hike so we could walk comfortably and enjoy the journey. We also bought some fruits and dry snacks to carry with us.
From Bhaktapur, we took another bus to Telkot, the starting point of our hike. Similar to Bagbazar, buses to Telkot are limited, so planning the timing is important. Otherwise, you might have to wait 30–45 minutes for the next bus.
After about 45 minutes, we arrived at Telkot Bus Park.
Before starting the hike, we gathered together and briefly discussed the dos and don’ts of hiking, safety tips, and checked that everyone had the necessary items.
The Hike Begins
The hike began with a beautiful trail through forest paths, village landscapes, and mustard fields. At some points, we had to climb steep ladders, which added a bit of adventure to the hike.
Because it had rained lightly the day before, some of the ladders were a bit slippery, so we had to be careful.
Interestingly, during the previous week, the weather in Kathmandu had been extremely polluted and hazy. But thanks to the rain, the air was clear and fresh that day. We were lucky to enjoy beautiful green views and clearer skies.
Visiting Sakhu Shree Panch Mahalaxmi Temple
During the hike, we passed through Sakhu Shree Panch Mahalaxmi Temple. There were many schoolchildren visiting the temple on educational trips. We spent some time there, explored the area, and took a few photos before continuing our hike.
Through the Forest to Changu Narayan
From there, we continued hiking through forest trails toward Changu Narayan via Trishul Danda. The hike took about two hours, and we took several short breaks along the way.
We met many tourists on the trail. Interestingly, some foreign hikers were collecting trash left by others. It was inspiring but also a little disappointing to see that visitors were cleaning up litter left behind by other hikers. Fortunately, the trail itself was relatively clean, with only a small amount of trash visible.
I would like to remind all hikers:
Leave no trace. Carry your waste with you and help keep our trails clean.
Exploring Changu Narayan Temple
After a long but enjoyable hike, we finally reached Changu Narayan Temple. For me, it had been almost 10 years since my last visit, so it felt special to return. Since both Hira Kaji and Sudarshan are tour guides, they explained many interesting details about the temple, its statues, and its historical significance. Changu Narayan is considered one of the oldest temples in Nepal, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There were many tourists around the temple, all curious about its history.
To be honest, even as a Nepali, I realized how much I still have to learn about our own heritage sites and cultural history.
Lunch and Bhaktapur Visit
After spending about an hour exploring the temple area, we stopped for lunch at a local restaurant.
Then we took a bus from Changu Narayan to Bhaktapur. Similar to other routes, buses run only at certain times, so we had to wait about 20 minutes before the next bus arrived.
While waiting, we shared travel stories and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. The ride to Bhaktapur Durbar Square took about 40 minutes. Bhaktapur is famous for its traditional yogurt called Juju Dhau, also known as the “King of Curd.”
To end our trip perfectly, we explored the local area and enjoyed a delicious Newari lunch at a local restaurant. Over lunch, we shared hiking experiences, preparation tips, and feedback about the route.
A Great First Community Hike
According to my Strava app, we covered nearly 32 kilometers throughout the day, including travel and hiking.
Overall, it was an amazing experience with wonderful people. This was just the beginning of what we hope will become a small but growing community of hikers.
We are planning to organize more free community hikes in the coming months, and I’m glad that many friends have already shown interest in joining our future adventures. Until then, enjoy the photos from this hike!
Want to join our next hike?Click below or send me a message to get the details.
Instagram: Sujan Maharjan
Instagram: Hira kaji Maharjan
Instagram: sudarshan Jung sahi
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