Last Updated on December 23, 2024 by Christine Kaaloa

Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, Chitlang is a rustic picturesque region in Nepal that offers a serene escape from the bustling city life of Kathmandu. As I’ve traveled and filmed much of Nepal’s bucketlist cities and sights, i wanted to switch things up and explore off-the-beaten-path spots. Rather than go to crowded tourist spots, I wanted to explore communities that escape the attention of foreign travelers but are vacation getaways for Nepali travelers.

Chitlang, Nepal, is a hidden gem and you won’t find a lot of bucketlist things to tick off your list. Instead, it’s a relaxing escape from Kathmandu,  a lush and rural region where you can rediscover the beauty of simplicity and a peaceful retreat.

Chitlang Travel Guide: A Local’s Weekend Trip

I wanted to see Nepal locations that felt untouched and kissed by natural beauty.

I was on a mission to explore villages and nature and I wanted to escape the typical foreign tourist routes to explore authentic Nepali homestays. A guest of the U.S. Embassy and a speaker at the Creator Mela conference for Creators, I was invited by the Nepal Tourism Board to explore parts of Nepal I had not been to. Consulting between the tourism board and my favorite local guide Nabaraj of Wanderlust Himalaya. we came up with a handful of areas, Chitlang, being one of them.

Watch my Chitlang travel guide video

Chitlang is a known destination for Nepali locals who seek a weekend vacation. Over the hill from Kathmandu, getting there takes about two hours to get there.

I had a driver with a car and a representative of the tourism board- Shivraj- also attended. There were four of us on this roadtrip and it was a lovely experience, because I knew I was in the best hands, which could also help alleviate me from my normal rigors of solo content gathering .

Both Nabaraj and Shivraj grew up in villages similar to Chitlang and Hemjakot (read and watch my Hemjakot video series ), so I was lucky to have them with me to shed insight.

Tip: I suggest hiring a car and driver. Although you can rent a car on your own, the road gets rocky as you climb the hill from Kathmandu to get to Chitlang. A local driver can navigate it better.

3 Day Chitlang Itinerary: Romantic Things to Do in Chitlang

Day 1

1. Visiting during Rice planting season

Ropai is a festival that occurs during rice planting season, from June to July. It’s during monsoon season in Nepal. The best time to visit this region due to the abundance of farming and rice terraces. This is a local festival because neighboring farmers help each other plow fields and plant rice seedlings.  It’s a community gathering that’s transformed into a bit of a celebration with games in the mud and songs while the farmers work. I was fortunate to witness some of this which you can see in my video.

Sometimes there is a little too much alcohol which can erupt in an occasional fight. I arrived just as a farmer was leaving with a bloody face from a brawl as the ladies laughed about the inebriated celebration that got a little too out of hand.  You can volunteer to get your hands dirty in the fields and participate in the fun of the farming community.

It’s not only rice farmers but other farmers are tending to their crops as well, bagging up their produce for the markets. Sadly, many spoilt or marred vegetables get tossed into the streams. It made me realize that local farmers make so little on their kilos of produce. We must try our best to support them where possible, by shopping at local produce markets. .

2. Tistung

Tistung is located in the Makwanpur district, approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu. You will pass Tistung before you reach Chitlang. Driving into Tistung is lovely with lush rolling farmlands, terraced rice fields and a cooler, fresher air. You can smell 100% nature.

I checked into my lodgings at Om Adhyay Retreat Resort and then set off on a leisurely walk to explore the neighboring farms. Tucked into the valley, it is an enclave for Nepali tourists who want to take their weekend getaway.  You won’t find shops or restaurants around it.

I stayed at the Om Adhyay Retreat Resort, with pool and restaurant. It was glamorous by Nepali means, so much that when I was there there was a film crew there to film either a music video or a Nepaliwood film. It was quite right outside my window and exciting.

Check out 50 hotel tips & hacks for solo travelers

Day 2 of my 3 Day Chitlang Itinerary

On your second day in Chitlang, you can cover a lot but it also depends upon how long you spend exploring a place.

3. Explore Markhu Village

Markhu Village is perched on the banks of the Indrasarovar River. I enjoyed strolling through the village and for me, it’s a perfect rest stop on your road trip and a MUST. It’s a small village with a lovely rustic local lifestyle, a village temple and i enjoyed interacting with the friendly residents.  While you’re there visit the Markhu suspension bridge. It crosses the river to the other side where there is a smaller village.

Read my responsible tips for ethical travelers

4. Markhu suspension bridge

In the village of Markhu, there is a Markhu suspension bridge. One of the most picturesque views of the valley is from it. You can also visit the village on the other side.

The riverbed was low so I could see a shepherd watching over his grazing livestock and it was so beautiful, I was temped to go down.

I actually wish I spent time crossing the bridge to explore the village on the other side. But I was distracted by a scared dog attempting to cross it and forgot I wanted to explore more. If you have time, check it out and let me know what I missed.  I’m sure I missed out!

5. Boating in the Indrasarovar River

If you are a nature lover, a visit to the nearby Indrasarovar River is a must. This picturesque river snakes through the surrounding lush green valleys,  and is considered sacred.

You can spend a relaxing afternoon by renting a paddleboat. The river is serene and the backdrop of the hills make it a stuning spot for a leisurely escape. At the time I went, the riverbed was low so the boats were not active. Otherwise, it’s a popular activity for travelers.

Price: NPR 200 to NPR 500 per boat (depending on the type of boat and duration)

6. Fishing

Driving the roads upper roads, you’ll find many resort hotels and occasional trout or fish shops. But one thing you will certainly not miss are the many large road signs informing you of the different types of fish in this area! They were peculiar signs in that they listed the different categories of fish.  I asked Nabaraj about it and he said the fish here are said to grow quite large, so river fishing is quite popular.

How large?  When we made a rest stop at a local cafe, the cook was in the process of cleaning a giant trout. It stood over half the height of my driver!  If you stay in this area, definitely try the fish!

7. Zip-Lining

As we passed above the boats on the hillside road to Khulekani Dam, there were advertisements for zip-lining in Thankot. Nabaraj asked me if I wanted to try it. I immediately thought about the very basic trip insurance plan I bought. Knowing I’d be attending a conference in Kathmandu and sightseeing for the remainder, it was the one time I did not buy my adventure-covering World Nomads trip insurance. Drat.

These ziplines are high. You can see the vantage point from where I took the above photo. There was a zipline even further above me and that was the one Nabaraj asked if I wanted to try. Um… no please. Had I been better insured, I might have been more confident trying it.

Soar through the air and witness the captivating scenery of the valley and river a thrilling perspective. If you’re brave enough!

8. Khulekani Dam

Khulekani Dam is a dam constructed for hydroelectricity. You can visit the powerhouse station, but just the view alone is beautiful. I wasn’t as impressed by the dam as I was the witnessing the river snake through the valley in the distance like a ghost trail. You can see an old fashioned pull cart suspended over the air of the dam, a remnant of a distant past.

There was supposed to be a waterfall nearby but as the riverbed was low, the waterfall didn’t promise much so we didn’t visit it.

9. First Goat Cheese Farm & homestay

Chitlang is renowned for its organic goat cheese farm, a unique experience you shouldn’t miss. I did not know this when I visited, so I did not look into it. But it feels like a wonderful experience.

The First Goat Cheese Farm was owned by Ashok Singh Thakuri. You can take a tour of the farm to witness the traditional cheese-making process, and if you’re up for it, try your hand at milking goats. The farm also has a Goat Cheese Farm Homestay where you can stay.

Tip: Don’t forget to taste the goat cheese delicacies while you’re in the Chitlang region.

10. Government goat farm

If you’re going the goat cheese route, then a visit to the government goat farm may interest you. The government owns a goat farm project with acres of grazing land that you might think was Switzerland, because it’s rolling hills are so lush and green. Nabaraj recommended this visit because it’s beauty is surreal and it doesn’t feel like Nepal. He was right. As you look over the sprawling pasture, for a moment, you feel transported to Switzerland.

Although you cannot actually step onto the land and there’s a barbed wire fence that wraps around its acreage, you can appreciate its beauty. The project is to farm healthy goats that the government will then distribute to farmers.

chitlang government goat farm

11. Visit Chitlang village

Chitlang is a farming region but it is also a quaint, rustic village, with a central cluster of low level apartment buildings, housing Nepali families and livestock stables.

A few local restaurants and guesthouses corner the outskirts of town. We stopped off to have lunch at a restaurant, ordering Chinese noodles and fried rice. Albeit over the hill from Kathmandu, this region sees tourists from time to time. After eating, we strolled into town to explore village life. On our way, we see more farming activity. The radish farmers are sifting through their produce, cleaning it in the stream’s waters, chucking the ones that are unfit for the market and bagging what’s left for the sale. It’s a sad sight to see the stream dotted with several bad radishes.

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The central part of the town is a community of homes, with community water pumps for doing laundry, neighborhood altars, and the standard small Nepali village shop that sells candies for children, toiletries and small household products that locals need like toilet paper, laundry soap, etc…  I see a family baby goat roaming the area and Shiv Raj tells me I can pick it up and hold it. Kids are the equivalent of family dogs for the neighborhood children, who play with them.  Although ultimately, they have a purpose- to give milk or be sold for meat. I feel a little sad knowing this. Nabaraj says that everything has a purpose in a farming community and nothing is a frivolous luxury to the livelihood of farmers.

What itinerary things would you add to this Chitlang travel guide?