Nagarkot sits at 2,175 metres on the northeastern rim of the Kathmandu Valley, 32km from the capital. On a clear morning the panorama from its viewpoints stretches from the Annapurna massif in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east – a full 180-degree sweep of white peaks above forested green hills that is one of the most photographed views in Nepal. On very clear days, usually in October, November and January, the summit profile of Mount Everest (8,848m) is visible above the lower ridges to the east. That possibility alone brings thousands of visitors to Nagarkot each year.
The logic of staying overnight at Nagarkot rather than day-tripping is simple: sunrise is when the spectacle is at its best. The peaks emerge from pre-dawn darkness one by one as the sky lightens, then catch the first orange and gold of the sun while the valley below is still in shadow. This happens between 5:30 and 6:30am depending on season. Most hotels have sunrise-viewing terraces or towers. Arriving the evening before, watching sunset, and waking for the dawn is the Nagarkot experience that people remember.
Nagarkot is one of the best bases for day hikes near Kathmandu. The trail to Changunarayan Temple (one of Nepal's seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, dating to the 4th century AD) takes 3–4 hours through pine forest, terraced farmland and small villages with consistent Himalayan views. The longer walk to Dhulikhel (5–6 hours) is one of the finest valley rim walks in Nepal – ridge-top paths with mountain panoramas the whole way. Both trails are suitable for fit travellers of any age. The Nagarkot Panoramic Walk – a 2–3 hour morning circuit from most hotels through forest and villages – is gentler and equally rewarding.
The descent from Nagarkot to Bhaktapur on mountain bike is one of Nepal's most popular single-day rides – 20km through pine forest, village paths and terraced farmland, ending at the gates of Nepal's finest medieval city. We arrange bike hire, safety equipment and guide support for this route.
One of Nepal's seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley (dating to at least 325 AD), Changunarayan is reached via the hiking trail east of Nagarkot and rewards the walk with some of the finest ancient stone and metal sculpture in the country. A 5th-century stone carving of Vishnu is considered among the masterpieces of South Asian art.
Our recommended Nagarkot hotels – Club Himalaya, Hotel Mystic Mountain and The Fort Resort – all have private balconies or terraces with Himalayan aspects, good restaurants and comfortable rooms. We book the best available mountain-view rooms as standard. Club Himalaya is the most established, with indoor pool and spa. The Fort Resort is the most architecturally distinctive – a sprawling Newari brick complex with a dramatic garden terrace. Hotel Mystic Mountain offers boutique character with infinity pool.
October–November and January–February deliver the clearest mountain views. March–April is pleasant with spring wildflowers. Monsoon months (June–September) bring cloud that usually obscures the peaks, though occasional clearings create dramatic atmospheric conditions.
Nagarkot Hill Station provides you the most exquisite panoramic views of the mountains like Mount Annapurna, Ganesh Himal, and Mount Everest. Imagine going out on a hike to the top of Nagarkot and seeing the most pleasant sight of the mountains, doesn’t that feel great?
First things first, Nagarkot Hill Station is near to Kathmandu city. If you are planning for a short tour with a night out plan, then there are no best options other than a visit to Nagarkot. Having the most awesome resorts and hotels, you get no compromise in the quality of the services there. Beauty lives on Nagarkot and every visitor appreciates that whole-heartedly. Nagarkot Hill Station is not only about the views of the heart-throbbing mountains from the top. You get to check out the gorgeous view of the Kathmandu Valley. The breathtaking view from the top along with the lush forests is a cherry on the cake for every visitor. Nothing makes your heart happy than being there at the moment. Many visitors love visiting Nagarkot to experience the landscape of different amazing flowers that gets even more special with the backdrop of the incredible Himalayas.
The best time to go to Nagarkot is during the spring and pre-winter time. The spring months including March, April, and May are the best time to visit Nagarkot Hill Station. Also, the early months before winter including September, October, and November provide you the best chance to enjoy being in Nagarkot. The climate and weather is pleasant in spring. The clear views of the sky embarking the alluring sight of the mountains make your trip even more memorable. The hills look amazing with the newly bud flowers blossoming. You can enjoy hiking, short trek, and other outdoor activities in the spring.
April-May-June and November-February are summer and winter months in Nagarkot respectively. The heat in the summer can cause difficulty in outdoor activities, and the increased mist and fog in winter can cause problems in visibility to check out the alluring snow-covered mountains. However, if you are a person who loves chilling and traveling in chilly weather, winter can be the best option. But, you need to be extra careful during winter season. Also, during monsoon there are chances of heavy rainfall which might cause blockage of roads in some places.
Not sure what you desire yet? Nepal offers a variety of possibilities throughout the country. We offer tailor-made travel programs for you and your travel group. Create your own exclusive trip, step-by-step with us. We plan, you relax. We design, you do so if you already have specific wishes, let us know.
Getaway Nepal Adventure (P.) Ltd.
Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 98510 38 908
TripAdvisor