Trekking · Kathmandu
Changunarayan to Sankhu Hike
A short temple-to-temple walk from ancient Changunarayan to the Newar town of Sankhu and Vajrayogini.
The Changunarayan to Sankhu hike is a short, culture-rich walk that links two of the Kathmandu Valley's most historic sites — the 4th-century temple of Changunarayan and the medieval Newar town of Sankhu with its hillside shrine of Vajrayogini. It is the natural continuation of the Nagarkot to Changunarayan hike and one of the gentlest legs in our eastern valley rim hikes collection.
The short answer
Walk from the Changunarayan hilltop down into the valley and across to Sankhu — roughly 7 to 9 kilometres over two and a half to three and a half hours. It is easy, mostly descending and rolling, and connects two major heritage sites in a single morning, with transport back to Kathmandu from Sankhu.
The route
Leaving the Changunarayan temple ridge (around 1,540 m), the trail drops north through terraced fields and scattered hamlets before crossing the Manohara river plain toward the northeastern valley wall. The path is quiet and lightly marked, so a map app or local directions help. As you approach Sankhu the old brick town comes into view, framed by the forested hill that holds the Vajrayogini shrine above it.
Two temples, two faiths
This walk is really a temple-to-temple pilgrimage. Changunarayan is dedicated to Vishnu and protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, prized for its ancient stone and metal sculpture. At the far end, the gilded pagoda of Vajrayogini above Sankhu honours a tantric goddess revered by both Hindus and Buddhists — read more in the guide to Sankhu and the Vajrayogini temple. Together they show the layered, shared religion of the Newar valley.
Good to know
- Start early to allow for route-finding and to climb to Vajrayogini before the heat.
- Carry water, snacks and cash; facilities are limited between the two towns.
- Dress modestly at both shrines, which are active places of worship.
- Wandering Sankhu's old lanes is part of the experience; allow extra time.
Combine it
To turn this into a full day, climb on from Sankhu to the ridge on the Sankhu to Nagarkot hike, or reverse the whole sequence by starting high. For more walks linking the valley's temples and villages, see the national roundup of the best day hikes near Kathmandu, and use the Kathmandu travel hub to plan a city base.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Changunarayan to Sankhu hike?+
It is a short half-day walk of roughly 7 to 9 kilometres, taking about two and a half to three and a half hours. The route drops off the Changunarayan ridge into the valley and crosses to the old town of Sankhu at the valley's northeastern corner.
Is the Changunarayan to Sankhu hike difficult?+
No, it is easy. The trail descends from the Changunarayan hilltop and undulates gently through farmland and villages to Sankhu, with no real climbs. The main challenge is route-finding, as the path is quieter and less signposted than the main Nagarkot trails.
What is there to see in Sankhu?+
Sankhu is one of the best-preserved traditional Newar towns in the valley, with brick houses, carved windows and old water spouts. Above it on a forested hill sits the ancient Vajrayogini temple, a tantric shrine sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.
How do you get back from Sankhu?+
Sankhu sits at the northeastern edge of the Kathmandu Valley, about an hour by road from the city centre. Local buses and taxis run from the town back toward Boudhanath and central Kathmandu, so the return is straightforward.
