Most visitors drive up to Dalchoki, take in the view, and leave by afternoon. That view is fine. At 5:47am, when Langtang catches the first light and the valley is still dark below, it's something else. You only see that if you stayed the night. Here's how.
Most people who visit Dalchoki drive up, look at the view, eat lunch, and drive back to Kathmandu by 3pm. The view at noon is nice. The view at 5:47am, when Langtang catches the first light and the Kathmandu Valley is still dark below, is something else entirely, and you can only see it if you stayed the night.
This guide covers everything you need: how to book a Dalchoki homestay, what the sunrise actually looks like, how to get there from Thamel, how it compares to Nagarkot, and how to combine it with the Champadevi kirtipur trail.
Is Dalchoki Better Than Nagarkot for Sunrise?
This is the comparison most Kathmandu travellers are actually making, so it is worth answering directly at the start rather than burying it in a FAQ.
Dalchoki sits higher, costs less, and is quieter. The tradeoff is road access, the last stretch requires a jeep or 4WD, and fewer amenities. If you want a proper Himalayan sunrise from a family homestay without the Nagarkot resort atmosphere, Dalchoki is the stronger choice. For reference on what Nagarkot offers, Lonely Planet's Nagarkot guide covers the full resort-side picture well.
What Is Dalchoki?
Dalchoki is a village in the Konjyosom Rural Municipality of Lalitpur district, on the same southern ridgeline that includes Champadevi and Phulchowki. The ridge runs from roughly 1,200 metres at its lower slopes to 2,545 metres at the highest point. Six homestays in Dalchoki are registered under the Nepal Tourism Board according to local sources and Nepal Traveller. At the time of writing, Dalchoki Homestay is the one with a confirmed online booking page. The others operate through direct contact or word of mouth.
The resident communities are primarily Tamang, Brahmin, Chhetri, Magar, and Nagarkoti. The Nagarkoti community has its own distinct dialect. Local food comes from farms on and below the ridge. Organic vegetables, local chicken, and dal bhat made from rice grown nearby are the standard homestay fare. Dalchoki sits within the broader Lalitpur district, which has some of the most varied homestays in the Kathmandu Valley, useful context if you are planning more than one stop.
The Sunrise: What You Actually See
The north-facing ridge at Dalchoki has no obstruction between it and the main Himalayan range. From October through March, on a clear morning, the view from the high point of the ridge includes:
Langtang Lirung (7,227m), the most prominent peak directly to the north, unmistakable
Ganesh Himal range, to the northwest, multiple peaks visible as a group
Gaurishankar (7,134m), to the northeast on clear days
Everest (8,849m), barely visible to the northeast on the sharpest mornings, rising above the lower ridges
The Kathmandu Valley spreads directly below, still dark when the peaks are already catching light. The host family at Dalchoki Homestay can point out each peak as the sky changes. Having someone standing next to you who can name each peak changes what you are looking at. If Dalchoki opens up an interest in longer routes, the trekking and homestays guide on Nepal Homestays covers the best cultural trekking circuits from Kathmandu.
Guests consistently describe the same sequence: cold air, the peaks going from grey to pink to gold, the valley lighting up below after breakfast back at the homestay. The rough road to get there stops feeling like an inconvenience.
Trail Guide: Hiking Up vs Driving Up
Option 1: Full hike from Sunakothi or Tikabhairab (4–5 hours) The trail starts from southern Lalitpur, about 12–14 km from Patan by road. The ascent gains roughly 700 metres through rhododendron and oak forest. Less steep than Phulchowki, less crowded than the Champadevi trail on weekends. No permits required. Moderate difficulty, no technical terrain. Dalchoki falls within Konjyosom Rural Municipality in Lalitpur, which has no trekking permit or entry fee requirements. If you are hiking up for the next morning's sunrise, aim to reach the village by late afternoon.
Option 2: Drive up and walk the ridge (1–2 hours on foot) The gravel road from the valley floor is passable by 4WD or a capable jeep. The road is genuinely rough in sections, not a car route. Most visitors who are coming primarily for the homestay and sunrise take this approach. Once in the village, the ridge walk itself is 1–2 hours with open Himalayan views north and terraced hills rolling south toward the Terai.
How to Book a Dalchoki Homestay
Dalchoki Homestay on Nepal Homestays is a community-run property sitting on the ridge at 2,545 metres. Deluxe rooms start at NPR 1,800 per night with wifi, parking, and geyser. Organic farm meals are available and guided forest walks can be arranged.
Book at least two days ahead on weekends from October to November and February to April. Carry cash, no card payments in village homestays. Evening bonfire and BBQ are available on request; order local chicken in advance.
Browse and book Dalchoki homestays on Nepal Homestays directly with host families. If budget is a consideration, the Nepal homestay budget travel guide has a useful breakdown of costs across different regions.
Getting There from Thamel
Dalchoki is approximately 30 km from Thamel in central Kathmandu, or 23 km from Lagankhel in Lalitpur.
Hired jeep from Thamel (recommended): The most practical option. A private jeep from Thamel to Dalchoki costs approximately NPR 3,000–4,500 depending on negotiation and season. The drive takes 1.5–2 hours. The last 8–10 km is on gravel and can be rough, confirm your driver knows the Dalchoki road specifically, not just Lalitpur. Do not attempt this in a standard sedan.
Via Lagankhel by microbus then hike: Microbuses run from Kathmandu to Lagankhel bus park in Lalitpur (NPR 25–40). From Lagankhel, microbuses head south toward the Tikabhairab area. From the drop-off, the trail to Dalchoki takes 4–5 hours on foot. The direct bus that used to run closer to the village was rerouted after road upgrades in 2012–13; confirm current options at Lagankhel before planning.
Motorcycle or mountain bike: The Dalchoki road is a well-known Kathmandu motorcycle and MTB route. Serious climb, excellent descent. Rental bikes from Thamel work for this.
Dalchoki and the Champadevi Kirtipur Trail
The Champadevi hike starts from Pharping or Kirtipur, climbing through pine and rhododendron forest to the summit temple at 2,278 metres. It is one of the most popular day hikes in the Kathmandu Valley, particularly on Saturdays when it gets busy.
Dalchoki and Champadevi are on the same southern ridgeline. The most common two-day approach: overnight at Dalchoki for the sunrise on day one, then descend and drive around the valley rim to start the Champadevi kirtipur trail on day two before returning to Kathmandu in the evening. The Champadevi homestay options around Chitlang are suited to this combination if you want a second overnight. See the Chitlang Homestay Village guide for the full southern valley circuit, or browse community homestay circuits across Nepal if you want to extend the trip further.
What to Do in Dalchoki
Sunrise from the Ridge
Walk 10 minutes from the homestay before 6am. The Himalayan range stretches west to east, Langtang prominent directly north, Ganesh Himal to its west, Everest's pyramid barely visible to the northeast on the clearest mornings. The Kathmandu Valley below is still dark when the peaks start to catch light. This is the reason to be here. Everything else in Dalchoki is secondary.
Dalchoki Manakamana Temple
A local Manakamana Temple sits on the ridge near the village, a community shrine, not the famous one in Gorkha. Quiet, genuine, worth 15 minutes on arrival.
Evening Bonfire and BBQ
The ridge faces west. The last light is good. Most Dalchoki homestays arrange a bonfire and BBQ in the evening, order the local chicken (kukhura) in advance so the family has time to prepare it.
Best Time to Visit for the Sunrise
October and November give the most reliable clear mornings. January can bring snow to the ridge, the Himalayas at sunrise above a white ridge is worth specifically timing for if the forecast shows clear skies. Check Windy.com for a 48-hour ridge-level forecast before you go. The Nepal Tourism Board also publishes seasonal travel advisories that are worth checking before your visit.
Practical Tips
Book two days ahead on weekends. Saturday nights fill fast October to November and February to April.
Dress for the cold. At 2,545 metres the ridge is cold at sunrise even in October. Jacket, hat, gloves.
Carry a headlamp. The walk to the viewpoint is 10–15 minutes in the dark.
Carry cash. No card payments. Budget NPR 3,000–4,500 for a hired jeep from Thamel plus NPR 1,800–2,500 per person for the homestay.
Most people who stay at a Nepal homestay in Dalchoki describe the same morning: cold air, tea before it is light, the peaks going from dark to gold, breakfast back inside. They drive back to Kathmandu late morning. Most say they should have booked two nights. If you are planning more time in the valley, the Nepal culture and festivals homestay guide on Nepal Homestays is a good starting point for timing your visit around local events. Browse homestays in Nepal to find what else the valley has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dalchoki and where is it located?
Dalchoki is a village in Lalitpur district on the southern rim of the Kathmandu Valley, approximately 30 km from Thamel and 23 km from Patan. It sits at 1,200 to 2,545 metres elevation. Six homestays are registered here with the Nepal Tourism Board.
Is the Dalchoki sunrise hike difficult?
The full trail from Sunakothi or Tikabhairab is a moderate 4–5 hour ascent gaining 700 metres. No permits or technical skills required. Most visitors drive to the village and walk the ridge from there, a 1–2 hour walk on flat to gently rolling terrain.
How much does a Dalchoki homestay cost per night?
Basic rooms from NPR 1,200 per person per night. Deluxe rooms with attached bathroom and geyser from NPR 1,800–2,500, usually including meals. A hired jeep from Thamel costs approximately NPR 3,000–4,500. Book on Nepal Homestays to reserve directly with the host family.
What mountains can you see from Dalchoki?
Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Gaurishankar, and on the clearest mornings Everest to the northeast. The north-facing ridge is unobstructed and gives a full sweep of the central Himalayan range.
What is the Champadevi kirtipur hike and how does it relate to Dalchoki?
Champadevi is a popular day hike from Pharping or Kirtipur to a summit temple at 2,278 metres on the same southern ridgeline as Dalchoki. Many travellers combine both over two days: overnight at Dalchoki for the sunrise, then the Champadevi kirtipur trail on day two.
How many homestays are there in Dalchoki?
Around six homestays operate in Dalchoki, with registration under the Nepal Tourism Board according to local sources. Dalchoki Homestay on Nepal Homestays is the one with a confirmed online booking page, sitting at 2,545 metres with 360-degree Himalayan views and organic meals from NPR 1,800/night. Others can be reached directly at +977-9801800301.
What is the best time to visit Dalchoki for sunrise?
October to March for the clearest skies. October and November are the most reliable months. January and February can bring snow to the ridge; check road conditions and the weather forecast before driving up.
Is Dalchoki better than Nagarkot for sunrise?
Dalchoki sits 370 metres higher than Nagarkot (2,545m vs 2,175m), costs less, and is significantly less crowded. The tradeoff is a rougher road and fewer facilities. For a genuine family homestay and a sunrise without a tour group atmosphere, Dalchoki is the stronger choice.
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