Very few of us have heard of the Gosai Sthan hike in Banepa, despite it being so close to Kathmandu. I’m honestly baffled as to why so many hikers have yet to explore this hidden gem.
I completed this short trip with Yoga Premi Pariwar Nepal, and our team had a diverse group of participants ranging from 4-year-olds to 78-year-olds.
This hike offers multiple attractions, making it even more worthwhile. In fact, if you’re planning a family picnic, there are several resorts in the area that organize such events.
Ready to hear about my experience? Let’s dive right in.
Key Facts About Gosai Sthan Banepa
| Location | Chandeshwori, Banepa, Kavre, Bagmati Province |
| Altitude | Above 1700 m |
| Distance (from Kathmandu) | 30 km approx. |
| Mode of transportation | Private or Public |
| Ride/Drive Duration | 1.5 hours (25 km up to Chandeshwori Temple) |
| Total Hike Duration | 2 hours |
| Best Time to Visit | All seasons |
Major Attractions in Chandeshwori-Gosai Sthan Hike
Before I share my hiking experiences, here are the major landmarks you’ll encounter during this trip. All of these are part of the hiking trail, which is why I consider it a must-do activity in Kavre:
- Chandeshwori Temple: A three-storey temple built in remembrance of Devi/Chandeshwori, who defeated the demon Chanda.
- Bhaila Narayanthan: Much like Budhanilkantha, Banepa offers visitors its own version of the sleeping God Vishnu. This also marks the start of the Chandeshwori Thousand Steps Hike.
- Chandeshwori Thousand Steps: The stunning stairway is the main highlight of the journey. In Nepali, it’s called ‘Hajar Paile,’ and there are 1,600 steps in total.
- Martyr’s Memorial Park: Rock statues were created to honor the six martyrs of Nepal. The top of the rocky hill also offers a great spot for photos.
- Gosaithan/Budol View Tower: Once you reach the top of the trail, you can climb the view tower to catch a glimpse of the surrounding mountain ranges. Locals also visit here for a stunning sunrise view.
- Gosaithan Picnic Spot: A few stairs lead down to the picnic spot, where the views of the mountains are even clearer. Just keep in mind that you need to book your spot in advance during holidays, as the place can get crowded.
- Shilu Mahadev/Gosaithan/Gosai Sthan Temple: A statue of Lord Shiva and numerous shivlings are scattered around the area, making it a perfect spot for Mahadev devotees who can’t make it to Gosaikunda Lake. While there’s no lake, a pond with Shiva’s statue is located here.
Don’t worry! We’ll have separate articles on each of these landmarks here at Travel Nepal Today to give you more cultural and historical insights. Today’s guide is more focused on hiking, so let’s dive into that next.
How to Reach Gosai Sthan–Sharing My Hiking Experience
This short trip of mine was sponsored by Yoga Premi Pariwar Nepal, where I was also honored to become a member of the upcoming youth club. More details are available on my social media profiles.
We started the trip with a reserved bus, accompanied by 60+ members from all age groups. The main objective of the hike was to enjoy nature, followed by a picnic organized by the non-profit organization at one of the resorts in Chandeshwori.
The two reserved buses picked us up from our homes, and it took about two hours to reach Chandeshwori Temple in Banepa. There’s a paid parking area where you can park all types of vehicles.
We began the journey by visiting the temple for blessings, then gathered at the resort for breakfast before starting the hike.
Not everyone was ready for 1 to 1.5-hour walk, so the older members of the group, who felt it might be challenging to reach the top, decided to stay back.
The hiking team started by first visiting the nearby sleeping Vishnu Temple. I felt it was very similar to the Budhanilkantha Temple in Kathmandu.
I had taken the responsibility of photography/videography for this trip, so my job began right there as I helped everyone take snaps while dancing and praying.
The Yoga Premi Pariwar Nepal team also brought along a national flag to show love for our country. Almost everyone was eager to wave it, proudly displaying their patriotism.
Let me tell you, this trail is very well-managed, with stairs all the way to the top.
Walking through the forest brings you closer to nature, which is something that the residents of Kathmandu often miss out on.
Halfway through our destination, we reached the Martyr’s Memorial Park, where rock statues were created in memory of Nepal’s martyrs.
They were even adorned with garlands (probably on Magh 16, which was just a few days back of our hiking trip).
Just above the park is an artificial rock hill where the Yoga Premi Pariwar Nepal team posed for pictures. It’s a great spot, so don’t forget to take a photo or video here during your hike.
We continued our hike and reached the Gosaithan/Budol View Tower. From here, the mountain range was clearly visible, and every member of the Yoga Premi Pariwar Nepal team was thrilled.
After climbing down, we continued and reached the road. You can actually drive up to this point in a private vehicle as well.
There’s even a picnic spot along the way, but our team didn’t stop here, as the picnic program was planned back at the resort.
From the road, you can take the downhill stairs to reach Gosai Sthan, also known as Gosaithan. It’s a sacred site for Hindus, and if you’re a Mahadev devotee, this is definitely a place to visit!
Next to the temple is a ‘kuti’, where you can see sadhus meditating and even learn about their way of life. We’ll cover a complete story on this soon.
There’s also a small park of shivlings, which offers a breathtaking view. However, we couldn’t enter as it seems to have been recently introduced.
After this, the Yoga Premi Pariwar Nepal team made their way back to the road, while I ventured a bit further to explore where the trail leads. It turns out that if you continue your journey, you’d eventually reach Dhulikhel, which wasn’t part of the plan.
So, I too returned and rejoined the Yoga Premi Pariwar Nepal team in no time. Half of the group members decided to continue walking to Chandeshwori, while the other half hopped onto the bus that was already arranged.
A Perfect Picnic Spot?
As I mentioned earlier, there’s a picnic spot in Gosaithan. For a more organized picnic experience, you can even book a party hall or resort in Chandeshwori, which is exactly what the Yoga Premi Pariwar Nepal did.
Once all the team members gathered at the resort, we were warmly welcomed with ‘mohi’, a refreshing fermented dairy drink.
After several cups of mohi, we had our lunch, and then the picnic program officially began. Like every Nepali group, we played several games, including musical chair, spoon race, garland race, pot breaking, and more.
If you’re curious to learn more about Nepal’s picnic culture, feel free to drop a comment below, and I’ll cover it in my next article.
Once all the activities were completed, we wrapped up the day with a dance session followed by a dinner before returning to Kathmandu.
Expected Budget
As I mentioned at the very beginning, my trip was sponsored by Yoga Premi Pariwar Nepal, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Nepali Yoga.
So, I had the privilege of enjoying the program for absolutely free while providing basic photography/videography services.
Nonetheless, I made sure to track the expenses, and here’s the breakdown that would be helpful for you all!
If you arrange a bus and follow the same approach we did, Rs. 1,000 per person would be more than enough.
Even if you’re planning to come in a group using your own private vehicle and only need snacks/lunch, this short hiking trip can still be completed within the same budget.
Final Words
Chandeshwori-Gosai Sthan hiking has attracted countless local tourists over the years, and its popularity continues to grow day by day.
Since you won’t just be walking, but also visiting multiple landmarks along the way, it’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in both nature and culture!
If you’ve been searching for a nearby picnic spot, I hope this article has helped you make your decision.
Now, share this article with your club or organization and start planning your adventure right away!
Happy traveling to Kavrepalanchowk!
You might like reading: Palanchowk Bhagwati—Another Close Destination in Kave
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