Chitlang, Kulekhani, and Markhu 2-Day Tour

Overview

This is a 2-day trip from Kathmandu to Chitlang village, Kulekhani dam and Markhu — three names for one connected area in Makwanpur district, about 27 km from the city. You spend a night in Chitlang, walk through the village and surrounding hills, and visit the Kulekhani reservoir at Markhu for boating. Price starts from USD 150, grade 1 (easy walking), maximum altitude 1835m, and groups of 2 to 14 people.

Chitlang is a small village in Makwanpur district, about 27 km from Kathmandu. It is a quiet destination, surrounded by greenery, that offers a break from city life, with village walks, the Kulekhani reservoir and time with locals.

How far is Chitlang, and how do you get there?

Chitlang sits over the ridge south-west of Kathmandu, in Makwanpur district. The road climbs out of the valley past Thankot and Chandragiri — short in kilometres, slow in hours. These are hill roads, and the times below are what the drive actually takes rather than what a map suggests.

• Kathmandu to Chitlang — about 27 km, around 2 hours by road.
• Kathmandu to Markhu (Kulekhani) — about 35 km, 1½ to 2 hours by road.
• Chitlang to Markhu — about 10 km, roughly 2½ hours on foot. This is the walk most people come for, dropping through terraced fields and forest to the water.

Are Markhu, Kulekhani and Chitlang the same place?

Markhu and Kulekhani refer to the same spot. Markhu is the village on the shore of the Kulekhani reservoir, also known as Indra Sarovar — the largest artificial lake in Nepal. Chitlang is a separate village, about 10 km away on foot, where you spend the night on this trip. If you have seen the three names used separately, they describe one route: the village, the night stop, and the dam and lake you visit the next day.

What is included, and how easy is this trip?

This trip is graded 1, meaning easy walking suitable for most fitness levels, with a maximum altitude of 1835m — well below any altitude concern. Groups range from 2 to 14 people. On this tour the driving is all arranged in a private vehicle and the village walk is guided, so the distances above are here because people ask before they book, not because you need to plan the route yourself. Meals, accommodation in Chitlang, a campfire evening, the village walk and boating at Kulekhani are all part of the trip.