Nagarkot, Nepal: travel guide
Ridge-top sunrise views over the Himalaya from the valley rim
A ridge-top hill station on the valley rim at ~2,100m, celebrated for its sweeping Himalayan sunrise panorama stretching from the Annapurnas to Everest on clear days.
About Nagarkot
Nagarkot is a village on the eastern rim of the Kathmandu Valley, high enough to give wide views north across the Himalaya on a clear day. It is known above all for sunrise and sunset from the ridge, and it works as a short escape from the capital.
You can climb the view tower for the first light, walk the trails through pine and terraced fields, or hike down towards Changu Narayan. The Mahakali Temple and various viewpoints are close by. The atmosphere is quiet, with small lodges and a cool breeze compared with the valley below.
It suits travellers who want an overnight in the hills, or walkers looking for an easy, scenic route. Autumn and early spring offer the best visibility, while monsoon cloud often hides the mountains.
- Country
- Nepal
- Currency
- NPR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kathmandu
- Nearest airport
- KTM
- Typical trip
- 1-2 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Nagarkot
Nagarkot View Tower (Sunrise Point)
sunrise_point · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The panoramic viewing tower at the top of Nagarkot ridge, where visitors gather before dawn for a Himalayan sunrise arc spanning Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh, Langtang and — on the clearest days — Everest.
Nagarkot Nature Trail
hiking_trail · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A gentle forest trail along the Nagarkot ridge through rhododendron and pine, linking viewpoints and villages with continuous mountain vistas — an easy half-day walk.
Mahakali Temple, Nagarkot
hindu_temple · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A small hilltop shrine to the goddess Mahakali on the Nagarkot ridge, a short walk from the village with fine valley and mountain outlooks.
Changu Narayan–Nagarkot Hiking Trail
hiking_trail · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
A popular downhill day hike from the Nagarkot ridge to the ancient Changu Narayan temple, dropping through terraced farmland and Tamang villages with mountain views throughout.
Nagarkot Sunset Viewpoint
sunset_point · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
West-facing terraces near Nagarkot village where the day closes with the sun sinking behind the valley and, in winter, alpenglow lighting the snow peaks.
Things to do
- Nagarkot Sunrise Tour Nature · 2.5 h · from NPR 1,800 per person
- Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Guided Hike Adventure · 5 h · from NPR 3,000 per person
- Nagarkot Nature Trail Walk Nature · 3 h · from NPR 1,500 per person
Day trips and tours
- Nagarkot Sunrise & Changu Narayan Hike 7 h · from NPR 3,500
Where to stay in Nagarkot
- Nagarkot Village about NPR 6,000 per night
The ridge-top settlement of Nagarkot, where mountain-view hotels line up for the celebrated Himalayan sunrise.
Hotels
- Hotel Country Villa 3-star · NPR 5,000 to NPR 11,000 per night
- Hotel at the End of the Universe 2-star · NPR 2,500 to NPR 6,000 per night
- Club Himalaya Resort 4-star · NPR 9,000 to NPR 18,000 per night
Where to eat
- Hotel at the End of the Universe Restaurant Nepali, Continental · about NPR 900 per person
- Berg House Café Cafe, Continental, Nepali · about NPR 800 per person
- Club Himalaya Restaurant Nepali, Indian, Continental · about NPR 1,500 per person
Getting to Nagarkot
Nearest airport: Kathmandu (KTM), about 16 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Nagarkot
- Public bus or taxi via Bhaktapur By road from Kathmandu / Bhaktapur · common
Nepal Traveller says public buses and taxis serve Nagarkot from Kathmandu or Bhaktapur; it is a road-only hill station. Source: nepaltraveller.com
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Taxi from Bhaktapur or Kathmandu unconfirmed
Pre-arrange the return as there is no taxi stand in Nagarkot; agree the fare. Source: nepaltraveller.com
Getting around
- Taxi
Taxis make the trip up from Kathmandu alongside tourist minibuses and public buses via Bhaktapur; the village itself is walkable.
- Walking
Best time to visit Nagarkot
- Jan 13°C
- Feb 15°C
- Mar 19°C
- Apr 23°C
- May 23°C
- Jun 23°C
- Jul 22°C
- Aug 22°C
- Sep 22°C
- Oct 21°C
- Nov 18°C
- Dec 14°C
More in Nepal
Frequently asked questions about Nagarkot
- How many days do you need in Nagarkot?
- A typical trip to Nagarkot is 1-2 days.
- What are the main places to visit in Nagarkot?
- Places covered in our Nagarkot guide include Nagarkot View Tower (Sunrise Point), Nagarkot Nature Trail, Mahakali Temple, Nagarkot, Changu Narayan–Nagarkot Hiking Trail, Nagarkot Sunset Viewpoint.
- Where should I stay in Nagarkot?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Nagarkot: Nagarkot Village.
- How do I get around Nagarkot?
- Ways to get around Nagarkot covered in our guide: Taxi, Walking.
- What is the weather like in Nagarkot?
- Average daytime highs in Nagarkot run from 13°C in Jan to 23°C in Jun.
- Which airport is nearest to Nagarkot?
- The nearest airport to Nagarkot has the code KTM.