Chandragiri Hills Cable Car & Temple: Himalayan Views from 2,551m
Skip the trek: cable car to 2,551m Himalayan views and a sacred temple in 10 minutes
You get hotel pickup, a private vehicle ride to the cable car station, a ten-minute ascent to the 2,551-meter summit, time to walk around the Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple and absorb the 180-degree Himalayan panorama, and the cable car descent included. Lunch at the summit restaurant is your own cost. The whole experience runs four to five hours, and you're back at your hotel by early afternoon.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Chandragiri Cable Car and Temple Visit
- Pick up from hotel early morning
- Travel by private vehicle to cable car station
- Ride 10-minute cable car to Chandragiri Hill summit
- Walk around and visit Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple
- Enjoy lunch at hilltop restaurant (own expense)
- Return by cable car to base station
- Drive back to hotel by private vehicle
The experience
The cable car station sits quiet in the early light, and then the doors open. You step into a Swiss-engineered gondola that will carry you 2,551 meters up Chandragiri Hill in ten minutes flat: no hiking, no scrambling, just a smooth glide above the jungle canopy while the mountain ranges materialize in front of you. The Annapurna peaks come into focus first, then on a clear day, Mount Everest sits on the horizon like something you're not quite supposed to see. Your guide points out the ridgelines as the city shrinks below, and the air gets thinner and cooler the higher you go.
At the top, the Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple waits: a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site built where, according to legend, Sati Devi's forehead fell to earth. Pilgrims come here year-round. You'll see prayer flags and incense smoke drifting across the summit. The temple is small and intimate, and the view from its courtyard is the same one you just rode up to see. After that, most people drift toward the hilltop restaurant. Lunch isn't included in the tour price, but the menu is solid and the tables face the Himalayas. It's one of those meals where the view does half the work. You can linger as long as you want, then take the cable car back down the same way you came up, a ten-minute descent that feels even faster than the climb.
Your private vehicle picks you up from your hotel inside the ring road or the Bouddha area. The driver arrives on time and knows the route to the cable car station. The whole day runs about four to five hours door-to-door, which is why it works as a half-day tour. The cable car opens at 8am and closes around 5pm, so an early start means fewer people at the summit and clearer air for the view. The 30-minute drive back to your hotel gives you time to sit with what you just saw.
What’s included
Your tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from inside the ring road or the Bouddha area, private vehicle transport to and from the cable car station, both-way cable car entry fees, and a professional guide. Lunch at the summit restaurant is not included and is at your own expense.
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Operated by Himalayan Planet Adventures
Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want Himalayan views without a full day of trekking, and who are based in Kathmandu with a few hours to spare. The altitude gain is handled by the cable car, so no climbing is required. Plan for a half-day out, which is what makes the whole experience fit between other plans.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 10 years); Infant (under 2): free.
What's the best time of day to ride the Chandragiri cable car?
Early morning, ideally when the cable car opens at 8am. The air is clearest then, and you'll have fewer people at the summit. Your guide will suggest an early pickup from your hotel.
Can you see Mount Everest from the top?
On clear days, yes. It's visible on the horizon as part of the 180-degree Himalayan vista. Visibility depends on weather and season. The clearest views are usually in autumn and early spring.
Is lunch included in the tour price?
No. The cable car ride, guide, and hotel pickup are included, but meals at the summit restaurant are at your own expense. The restaurant is well-regarded and the food is good.
How long does the cable car ride take?
Ten minutes each way, up and down. It's a smooth, modern Swiss-engineered gondola.
What is the Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple?
A sacred Hindu pilgrimage site at the summit, dedicated to Sati Devi. It's a small temple with prayer flags and incense, and visitors are welcome to walk around and pay respects.
Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?
The cable car itself is wheelchair accessible, and all areas at the summit are accessible. However, the tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to the altitude gain.
What should I bring?
Comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket (it's cooler at the summit), sunscreen, and a camera. A valid passport is required on the day of travel.
How long is the whole tour?
About four to five hours total, including hotel pickup, the drive to the cable car station, the ride up and down, time at the summit, and the return drive to your hotel.
Chandragiri Hills Cable Car & Temple: Himalayan Views from 2,551m
4h–5h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 45 per person
4.88163 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider