Kathmandu: Chandragiri Cable Car Tour & Hilltop Temple

Summary

Chandragiri cable car ride temples and mountain views from Kathmandu

You’ll glide above lush jungle on Kathmandu’s Chandragiri Cable Car, catch Himalayan peaks from the summit, visit Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple with your local guide, and have time for lunch overlooking everything below. Expect moments of quiet awe and laughter — this day trip leaves its mark long after you’re back in city streets.

What’s the experience like?

We were already bumping along the edge of Kathmandu when I realized how much the city’s morning noise fades as you head out toward Chandragiri Hill. Our guide, Suman, chatted about his childhood memories of these hills — he pointed out a cluster of prayer flags tangled in a tree, said they’d been there since before the cable car was built. The road up is short but winding, with those little food stalls selling spicy peanuts and sweet tea. It’s funny, I thought the famous Chandragiri Cable Car would feel more touristy, but most people in line were local families — kids bouncing around with sticky hands. The air smelled like wet leaves and incense.

The cable car itself is kind of surreal — you step into this glass pod and suddenly you’re gliding over jungle so thick it looks painted on. Ten minutes feels both long and short; we watched clouds snag on treetops below, then suddenly the Himalayas just appear. I tried to spot Everest (Suman said it’s possible on clear days), but honestly my eyes kept drifting to the way sunlight hit Annapurna’s ridges. There was this moment when everything went quiet except for the faint hum of the gondola — that silence sticks with me.

At the top, wind hits your face first thing. The Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple sits right at the edge — shoes off, cool stone underfoot, bells clanging whenever someone made an offering. Suman told us about Sati Devi and Shiva; I probably butchered some names trying to repeat them back (he laughed). We wandered around for a while, just taking in that 180-degree sweep of mountains — it doesn’t really look real until you’re up there squinting into the sun. Lunch was at this glass-walled restaurant perched over the valley; I ordered something spicy that set my lips tingling for hours. If you go with friends or family, get a table by the window even if you have to wait.

The ride down felt faster somehow — maybe because we were all a bit quieter after those views. Back in Kathmandu traffic again thirty minutes later, it almost felt like we’d dreamed it up. Still think about that patch of silence above the trees sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — 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
• Walk around summit 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

Top questions

How long does the Chandragiri Cable Car ride take?

The cable car ride takes about 10 minutes each way from base to summit.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included if your hotel is inside Kathmandu’s ring road or Bouddha area.

What is the elevation at Chandragiri Hill?

The summit is at 2,551 meters (8,369 feet) above sea level.

Are meals included in this tour?

No, lunch at the hilltop restaurant is not included in the price; you pay separately if you choose to eat there.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

Yes, transportation options and all areas are wheelchair accessible.

When does the cable car operate?

The cable car starts running at 8:00 am and closes around 5:00 pm daily.

Can infants join this tour?

Yes, infants can join; they may sit on an adult’s lap or use a stroller/pram during transport.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup inside Kathmandu’s ring road (including Bouddha), private vehicle transfers to and from Chandragiri Hill station, both ways entry fees for the Swiss-engineered cable car ride up to 2,551m summit, plus guidance throughout from a professional local guide before returning comfortably to your hotel after exploring and optional lunch atop the hill.