Markhu, a village in Makwanpur district, is a popular destination for the people around Kathmandu Valley looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city area. It is a perfect place for hiking, bike riding, sightseeing, boating, and a night out with friends and family with some music, a barbecue, and a campfire.
We started our journey to Markhu from Nakkhu, Lalitpur on Friday at around noon in a reserved vehicle. After 2 hours and 15 minutes drive we reached Markhu. We had booked a hotel named De Lakeside Simlang Hotel in advance in a package system which cost us NRs. 2500 per person. The package included welcome drinks, snacks, dinner, and breakfast. The hotel also had a swimming pool so we decided to stay at the hotel enjoying the pool. After having pool time, we had a barbecue in the evening. For BBQ, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options were available which was quite impressive for me since I’m a vegetarian. BBQ was not included in the package so we had to pay an extra amount for it. We had brought some wine and beer from Kathmandu so we were kind of worried about whether the hotel would let us take our drinks inside or not. But, thankfully, the staff there were super friendly and flexible that they allowed us to have our own drinks. The food at the hotel was so good. We didn’t want to eat Nepali dal-bhat for dinner so we had Fried Rice, Potato Chilly, Chicken Chilly, BBQ, and lots of drinks.
On Saturday, we woke up at 7:00 in the morning. Then, we had a buffet breakfast at 8:00 which included toast, omelet, sausage, butter, jam, potato, chickpeas, and tea. After having breakfast, we decided to go to see Mahabhir Jharna which is one of the attractions of the Markhu area. We walked for around 30 minutes and reached the ticket counter for Boating at Indrasarowar Lake. With a lot of excitement, we all put our life jackets on and hopped on the boat. The weather was a bit unpleasant. It was sunny as well as rainy at the same time. Anyways, we loved it!
After 20 minutes of the boat ride, we reached the other bank of the Indrasarowar from where we had to hike for around 45 minutes to reach Mahabhir Jharna. Fog-covered hills, suspension bridges, and the serene view on the way mesmerized us with their beauty. The Jharna (waterfall) was so beautiful. We clicked hundreds of pictures, enjoyed some time there, and left from there at around 12:30 PM. It took us only 30 minutes to reach the boating spot. Again after boating for 20 minutes, we arrived at Markhu. And, finally, after 30 minutes walk we arrived at our hotel. We all were so hungry that we went straight to the dining area of the hotel. They served us Thakali khana for lunch which was so delicious. We all ate like a beast.
Finally, we decided to leave the hotel at 3:00 PM. We had booked a vehicle that came to pick us up at the hotel. Our fun weekend trip to Markhu ended after we reached Kathmandu at around 5:15 PM.
Our Itinerary
Friday
12:00 PM – Left for Markhu in a reserved vehicle
2:15 PM – Arrived at De Lakeside Simlang Hotel, Markhu (put a link to the hotel location, Facebook page)
2:15 PM to 2:00 AM – Enjoyed swimming pool, barbecue, and tasty food at the hotel
Saturday
8:00 AM – Buffet breakfast at the hotel
9:00 AM – Left hotel for boating
9:30 AM – Reached ticket counter for a boat ride and started boating
10:00 AM – Reached the other bank of Indrasarowar Lake from where we started our hike to Mahabhir Jharna
10:45 AM – Reached Mahabhir Jharna
12:00 PM – Left from Mahabhir Jharna
1:00 PM – Returned back to the ticket counter at Markhu
2:00 PM – Arrived at the hotel and had Nepali dal-bhat for lunch
3:00 PM – Left hotel
5:15 PM – Arrived in Kathmandu
Budget/ Expenses per person
The expenses at Markhu vary from 2500 to 6000 or more depending on one’s budget. Here’s a detail of our tentative expenses per person in Nepali Rupees:
Two-way vehicle: 850+850 = 1700
We had reserved a vehicle with the capacity to carry 8 people. We paid around 14000 for two way trip for 8 people.
Hotel Package: 2500
The package included welcome drinks, snacks, dinner, and breakfast. Shared a room (two King size beds) with three other people.
Drinks: 650
Barbecue and extra food: 500
Two-way boat ride: 400
TOTAL EXPENSES per person: NRs. 5750
The budget estimation is based on our trip to Markhu in 2022. The prices are subject to change.
FAQs
What is the best time of the year to visit Markhu?
Normally, the months of April, May, October, and November are considered the best time to visit any place in Nepal due to mild temperature, stable weather, and clear mountain views. However, you can travel to this place any time of the year since every season has its pros and cons. For instance, during monsoon, the amount of water in the Indrasarowar Lake is quite high which makes it look beautiful but at the same time if you plan to hike in monsoon beware of leeches. During the winter season, there is less greenery which almost reduces the beauty of this area.
What else can we do on this trip?
· Hiking
· Campfire
· Boating
· Bike-ride
· Sight-seeing (Kulekhani Hydropower Dam, Chitlang Organic Village Resort, Indrasarowar Lake, and Mahabhir Jharna are the major attractions)
How much does it cost for a trip to Markhu?
The expenses at Markhu may vary from 2500 to 6000 or more depending on one’s budget.
Can I hike instead of using a vehicle?
Yes, several people opt for hiking instead of traveling by vehicle. People who enjoy getting lost in nature should definitely try hiking.
Do I need to hire a guide?
If you are a Nepalese, then absolutely no need to hire a guide. If you are a foreigner who has lived in Nepal for quite a few months or years, then it’s your choice whether you are confident to travel without a guide or not. If you are a foreigner traveling for the first time in Nepal, then we would recommend you find a guide.
Some more pictures from the trip:
