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Chitlang Kulekhani Tour

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1-night, 2-day Chitlang and Kulekhani Homestay Tour near Kathmandu is a traditional Newar cultural and nature trip that drives for around 2 hours south of Kathmandu, crossing Chandragiri Hill to a different valley and enjoys a homestay village tour and walk to Markhu Kulekhatin on the next day for around 2 hours on easy trail than drive back to Kathmandu and costs 125-175 USD per person according to the number of travellers in a group and includes public sharing bus, fuud and homestay, and a guide. 

Trip Facts
Duration
2 Days
Trip Grade
Easy
Country
Nepal
Maximum Altitude
1,835 meters
Starts
Kathmandu
Ends
Kathmandu
Group Size
1-10
Activities
Homestay Tour
Best Time
January to December

A Quick Glimpse

  • Trip Duration: 1 Night, 2 Days
  • Starting Point: Kathmandu
  • Ending Point: Kathmandu
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Best Seasons: January to December
  • Key Highlights: Homestay experience, Village walk, Sheep and Goat farms, see the farming lifestyle, Kulekhani Indrasorabar Lake, and more

Chitlang and Kulekhani Tour is a night and two-day refreshment trip near Kathmandu. It is a typical village and a tranquil lake visit. If you are stressed from living in a noisy city, under the pressure of busy work, and want to be refreshed by visiting fresh nature and experiencing the typical countryside lifestyle, a tour to Kulekhani via Chitlang and Markhu can be one of the best trips.

Chitlang Kulekhani is a less famous travel destination among external visitors than mountain regions. Still, it can be an exceptional experience for tourists. Visitors will receive a warm welcome in a typical homestay and experience great hospitality in Chitlang. On this trip, you can also visit the first artificial, big Indrasarovar Lake in Markhu Kulekhani.

A short two-hour hike from Chitlang to Markhu is an incredible journey through traditional villages. This route showcases captivating landscapes, terraced fields, green hills, and a village lifestyle. You will also see a big ship farm (Bhedi Goth) while you walk from Chitlang to Markhu Kulekhani.

What Can I Expect from the Chitlang-Kulekhani Tour?

Travelers have different wishes and expectations wherever they travel. For people who plan to visit Nepal, the first things that come to mind are the Himalayas, with their snow-capped peaks. You won't see white peaks while touring Chitlang-Pharping. Still, you will have other natural and cultural attractions, plus more, on the Chitlang-Markhu-Khulekhani Tour. Check the general information about the things you explore and see during this mesmerizing homestay trip in Nepal.

Chitlang Village and Homestay Experience

Located around 29.5 km (18.33 miles) south of the Kathmandu Valley, Chitlang is in Makawanpur District, Nepal. It is an old Newar town at 1835 m (6020 feet) above sea level. There is easy access by car, and you can reach it by public bus or private transport within two hours from Kathmandu. Alternatively, you can walk from Chandragiri Cable Car station to Chitlang via Chandragiri Hills.

You can stay in a homestay with a family or at a resort in Chitlang once you arrive. You will receive a warm welcome from the host at the homestay and be served traditional snacks with goat cheese. Chitlang has Nepal's first goat cheese factory. This village has many apricot, plum, and pear farms. After the snacks, you can go for a village walk to see traditional buildings with Newar Art and architecture.

You will have an excellent time chatting with the host in the evening, having a small campfire, and having a barbecue. You can pair the locally made pear, plum, or apricot wine or brandy with barbecue. While getting a local taste and experience, you can even play some typical Nepali Music and dance with family. After all, you will have a typical dinner (the Nepali Thali Set) and stay overnight at a homestay.

Hike to Markhu/Kulekhani Through Traditional Village

A short hike from Chitlang to Markhu/Kulekhani, around two hours through a traditional village, is an incredible journey. You will see exceptional landscapes, layers of green hills, terraced farmland, and more typical sights along the hiking route. You can see farmers working on the farm, which is impressive and offers a glimpse of local life and daily activities. This easy walk goes through untouched nature, where you can see many pines, rhododendrons, and others. A three-sixty-degree view of magnificent landscapes from Ship Farm (Bhedi Chaur) is also one of the exciting attractions. At the same time, you hike from Chitlang to Markhu/Pharping.

Boating on Indra Sarovar Lake

Indra Sarovar, or Indra Sarobhar, is the largest artificial lake in Nepal. It is approximately 41.5 km (25.7 miles) south of Kathmandu, in Makawanpur district. The lake is used for a hydroelectric project that provides emergency power during special occasions such as Laxmi Puja and other festivals.

You can boat on this lake in Markhu or Kulekhani. There are wooden and motorized boats you can hire for a time-based fee to explore magnificent natural views and enjoy an adventurous boating experience on Indrasovar Lake. After the boating, you can have Lunch in Markhu and then walk to Kulekhani for around half an hour.

Best Time for Chitlang and Kulekhani Tour

You can travel to Chitlang and Kulekhani year-round. The scenery will be charming, with dark greenery from June to September. Also, the Indra Sarovar Lake will be significant, with more water flow than in the dry spring season. However, you will see nicely blooming rhododendrons in the forests around Kulekhani and Chitlang.

If you would like to trek to Chitlang and Kulekhani, the best times are autumn (October to December) and spring (March to May). These trekking seasons have no rainy days and perfect visibility. On the first day before visiting Chitlang, you can also see magnificent mountain views while trekking to Chandragiri Hill.

Visiting Bhedi Chaur from Chitlang to Markhu is best during the monsoon. The ground looks amazingly green, and the surroundings are eye-captivating. Traveling to Chitlang and Kulekhani from Kathmandu is smooth and offers favorable temperatures.

At Frolic Adventure, we operate the Chitlang and Kulekhani Tour daily at the best price in Kathmandu. We also arrange private cars, jeeps, vans, or buses from Kathmandu to Chitlang and Kulekhani. Our guide safely takes you to these typical places and provides authentic information with friendly behavior.

Chitlang Kulekhani Tour Itinerary

Starts
Kathmandu
Ends
Kathmandu
Day 1

Drive from Kathmandu to Chitlang (2 hrs)

Today, you drive in a public bus from Kathmandu to Chitlang, which takes around 2 hours on a rough road. Check in at the homestay when you get off the bus in Chitlang. The host will warmly welcome you, show you to your sleeping quarters, and offer traditional snacks. After snacks, you go for a village walk and see typical buildings with Newar architectural styles. You also see people working on the farm while visiting the town. After walking around town, you will return to the homestay place, have dinner, and stay overnight.

Max Altitude: 1,833m (6,013ft)
Altitude Gain: 483
Duration: 2 Hours
Distance: 28-29 KM
Meals: Snack_Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay
Mode of Transportation: Public Bus
Day 2

Hike from Chitlang to Markhu/Kulekhani (2 hrs) and drive back to Kathmandu (3 hrs)

You will have a typical breakfast in the homestay and walk to Markhu through the traditional village and Bhedi Chaur. You will see pristine views of green-hilled layers and captivating landscapes along the way today. Once you reach Markhu, you can go by boat to Indrasarovar Lake and then have Lunch. After Lunch, you can walk to Kulekhani through the lakeside for half an hour after taking the bus ticket to Kathmandu. You wait for the bus in Kulekhani, which leaves from Markhu at 2 pm. It takes around three hours to get to Kathmandu from Kulekhani. You will have an off-road drive for the first hour, then reach the paved Kathmandu-Hedauda main road.

Max Altitude: 1,350m (4,429ft)
Altitude Loss: 483
Duration: 5-6 Hours
Distance: 40-50 KM
Meals: Breakfast+Lunch
Mode of Transportation: Public Bus

The Chitlang and Kulekhani Tour itinerary takes you to a traditional village and to Kathmandu's most prominent artificial, pristine lake, offering two days to escape the noise and busy city life. Our package plan includes a trip to Chitlang on the first day, where you can enjoy a homestay with a warm welcome from the host. Then, on the second day, hike to Markhu and Khulekhani via Bhedi Chaur. The trip itinerary ends with a drive to Kathmandu on the second day for around three hours through the Dakshinkali Pharping route.

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Route Map & Altitude Chart

Chitlang Kulekhani Tour

Trip Cost Details

  • Public Bus from Kathmandu to Chitlang and Kulekhani to Kathmandu
  • Friendly and experienced tour guide
  • Lunch, dinner, breakfast, and homestay accommodation in Chitlang
  • Lunch in Markhu
  • Salary, food, drink, and insurance for the guide
  • All Government TAX

Private Trip

Essential Information

How Safe Is Driving to Chitlang from Kathmandu?

After you cross Chandragiri, you will drive on a rough road until Chitlang. It depends on when you are on this road. It is bumpy but entirely safe in the dry season from October to May. Regular cars, trucks, jeeps, vans, and buses can drive on this road during the dry season, but it will be slippery during the monsoon. Driving in a four-wheel vehicle is better in summer on this rough road. Also, the road after Kulekhani to Kathmandu for the first hour is the same.

Are there lodges and resorts in Chitlang for those who don't want to stay in a homestay?

Yes, some luxury resorts and basic lodges have a food menu in Chitlang. If you are interested in staying in those luxury places rather than a homestay, you have the option. You can even reach Markhu or Kulekhani directly from Kathmandu, passing through Chitlang Village, if you want to spend more time in Kulekhani.

How Safe Is Boating in Kulekhani Indra Sarovar?

Boating in Kulekhani Indra Sarovar Lake is safe. Machine and regular paddleboat users can obtain a life jacket and a helmet. Rescue boats are available near each boat stand in Kulekhani for emergencies.

Price Per Person
US$125
  • 1 paxUS$175
  • 2 - 4 paxUS$150
  • 5 - 10 paxUS$125
Talk to Our Travel Experts
Rajesh Thapaliya
Nepal Travel Consultant
Rajesh Thapaliya
+977 9851043624
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Singapore Travel Consultant
Santosh Thapa
+65 90471348
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