Hiking from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Part 2

After seeing the beautiful sunrise at Nagarkot and after having our breakfast at our hotel, we decided to start hiking towards Changu Narayan at around 8 AM as suggested by Bashi, our guide. We packed our stuff and immediately head out towards the main road of Nagarkot.

Our guide said that hiking from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan is easier as it’s mostly downhill compare to doing it the other way around which is mostly uphill. Just as we walked towards the rough road en route to the main road, we saw a group of mongoose running towards their burrow. It was a pleasant surprise to see such wild animals living near the hotel that we were staying at. Unfortunately our cameras were all inside our bags as of that time and we weren’t able to take a picture of these creatures. After seeing them and missing an opportunity to take a picture, we took out our cameras so as not to miss any photographic opportunities that we might meet along the way.

As we walked passed the small town of Nagarkot, we passed by a handful of souvenir shops selling interesting items. One of those shops is selling intricate wood carvings of various Hindu Deities. We also passed by the local bus stop where we started descending just a few meters away from it.

Ganesh

The first few meters of the descent was a bit steeped but not that dangerous as it’s a well used foot path by local villagers who go to Nagarkot.

Bashi leading the way

That path led us to a string of small villages and friendly locals who generously smiled and greeted us as we passed by them. I noticed that most of them have their own farms and livestock as well. I envy the location of their houses as it gives them a great scenic view of the mountains and some rice (or vegetable?) terraces.

A local house with an awesome view of their surroundings.

Along the way, we also saw a lot of livestock and as well as wild animals such as a variety of birds including a hawk (or eagle) and a cute lizard. We also saw a band of mongoose and a monkey along the way.

Is it an eagle, a hawk or a falcon? I’m not really sure, let me know if you know what kind of bird this is. Thanks!

Crested Lizard??? Let me know as well if you know what kind of lizard this is. Thanks!

These two I’m sure I know LOL! A lazy buffalo and a goat. There were so many young goats and young buffaloes as well along the way and they all look like just a few days (or weeks) old!

Our hike was a combination of walking through the main road and some rough road via small villages. The path is well used by the locals and it’s not a scary hike especially for those novice hikers and for those who are terrified of heights like me. The path is also beautiful and we saw a lot of blooming wild flowers and flowering trees and also a clean small stream.

We also saw a temple where we rested for awhile. There was no one except for us and the caretaker of the temple. The temple resembles the distinct architecture that can be found mostly in temples in Nepal and other historical sites as the Durbar Squares in various cities in Kathmandu Valley.

After resting, we continued with our journey via the descending stairs of the temple and at the bottom of the long stairs began an uphill walk which I think lasted for an hour.

Bashi leading the way

Bashi made it look easy! Actually I think most experience hikers will find the path very easy but for me and my friend who haven’t hiked for a long time, it became a challenge for some time until we got used to the uphill walk. Fortunately, the view is beautiful and there were eagles flying so close to where we were walking which made it a worthwhile walk.

After the uphill walk, it became downhill which made the hike quite easy again. And at Tilkot, we met some fellow hikers with their guide looking over at Bhaktapur City which you can see from above.

As we passed by them, we also met a group of local women on their way to their farms whom according to Bashi are on their way to collect grass and other vegetation for their buffaloes and goats.

A local women feeding her livestock

And after less than an hour from where we met the local women, we finally saw Changu Narayan.

Gate to Changu Narayan

Next Week: Hiking from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Part 3: Changu Narayan Temple
Last Week: Hiking from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Part 1: Sunrise and Sunset at Nagarkot

Editor’s Note: BeMyGuest.com.sg provided us this trip but the opinion on this post is solely mine.