Chandragiri Hills: Cable Car Ride with Himalayan Panoramas
Chandragiri Hills offers a scenic cable car ride to a hilltop with sweeping views of the Kathmandu Valley and the Himalayan range from Annapurna to Everest. A perfect half-day escape from the city.
Chandragiri Hills: Soar Above the Kathmandu Valley
Chandragiri Hills, located 18 km southwest of central Kathmandu, offers one of the newest and most accessible ways to enjoy panoramic Himalayan views — via a modern cable car that whisks you from the valley floor to a 2,551-metre hilltop in just 10 minutes.
The Cable Car Experience
The Swiss-made Chandragiri cable car glides over forested hillsides, with views expanding dramatically as you ascend. At the top, on a clear day, you are rewarded with a 180-degree panorama stretching from the Annapurna range in the west to Mount Everest in the east, with the entire Kathmandu Valley spread below.
At the Summit
- **Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple** — an ancient Shiva temple at the hilltop, recently renovated.
- **Viewing terraces** — designated platforms with mountain identification boards.
- **Restaurant and cafe** — enjoy tea or lunch with mountain views.
- **Children's activities** — a small amusement park area for families.
- **Hiking trails** — paths lead through rhododendron and oak forests.
Historical Significance
Chandragiri holds historical importance as the hill from which King Prithvi Narayan Shah surveyed the Kathmandu Valley before launching his campaign to unify Nepal in 1769.
Practical Information
- **Cable car fee:** NPR 600 (round trip) for foreigners.
- **Operating hours:** 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily.
- **Getting there:** Take a taxi or local bus to Thankot on the western edge of Kathmandu, then follow signs to the cable car station.
- **Best time:** October to March for clear mountain views. Mornings are generally clearer than afternoons.
Chandragiri Hills is ideal for travellers who want stunning mountain views without the physical demands of a trek.