Nagarkot - The Most Spectacular Himalayan Sunrise in Nepal

Nagarkot is located to the east of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. It can be easily reached by private car, you can also choose to take a local bus/tourist bus from the downtown area of Kathmandu/Bhaktapur. However, getting to Nagarkot by bus is usually slow, crowded, and not that safe especially for first-time solo foreign travelers. Want to help with the airport pick-up and transfer to Nagarkot by a licensed private car according to your travel plan? Please do not hesitate to contact us and let us book a private car for you!

• Distance to Nagarkot
From Kathmandu: 32km; From Kathmandu Airport: 28km; From Bhaktapur: 15km

Nagarkot Location in Kathmandu

Things to do in Nagarkot: Sunrise and Sunset Views of the Himalayas; Trekking; Mountain Biking (limited); Horse Riding (limited)

Once a hermitage for Nepalese rulers, Nagarkot, on the edge of Kathmandu Valley is now the most popular site to watch sunrise and sunset of the massive Himalayas, including four of the world’s highest mountains! There is a high viewing platform, and views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung, Shisha Pangma, Dorje Lakpa, and Guari Shankar can be seen. The panorama stretches from Dhaulagiri to the west and Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga are to the east. The best site to enjoy it id the lookout tower which is about 2,164 meters perched on the ridge with 360-degree views of the sunrise.

After the sunrise, if you are not in a hurry, a little interesting small factory here, Paneer Cheese Factory is located on the downhill path near Hotel Shivapuri on the main road. You can visit there and see how the cheese is produced.

After your breakfast, you can start trekking around a little bit. It is not a requirement if you are a professional trekker. Most people will trek around 4 to 5 hours and You are recommended to hike, bike, or ride a horse/pony through the idyllic cottages and farms, and the bikes can be rent a bike from your hotel or agent there sometimes during the peak season. Also, horse riding is only available through dome certain agents there, and you can inquire about your hotel about it. After the laborious trekking/biking, you can reach Changu Narayan, which is an ancient village, a UNESCO world heritage site, to learn more about Brahman and Tamang culture and the lifestyle of the local villagers, to explore and narrow streets of Changu Narayan, to visit the old Hindu Temple.

Nagarkot Panoramic View

Nagarkot During Sunset

Since many people come for the sunrise in Nagarkot, you are recommended to stay there for one night and wake up early to capture the dawn view. There are numerous nice resorts, cozy guesthouses, deluxe hotels, and cost-effective homestays, on the north side of the ridge. Most of them offer nice breakfasts for tourists. Make sure to make one room during the peak season and you can see the Himalayas just from your balcony. Here are some recommended hotels: Hotel Mystic Mountain, Everest Manla Resort, Hotel Country Villa, The Fort Resort-Nagarkot, Club Himalaya, Hotel Himalayan Villa, Peaceful Cottage & Cafe Du Mont, Bojinee Nagarkot Resort

Doing Yoga at Hotel Balcony

To have a clear view of the Himalayan peaks on a sunny day, the best time to visit Nagarkot is the dry season in Nepal, from October to April, while the rainfall is very intense from June to August and the whole Nagakot area is humid, hot and hazy.

☀ Nagarkot Sunrise Time by Month: Jan (6:50am - 6:55am); Feb (6:29am - 6:49am); Mar (5:55am - 6:28am); Apr (5:24am - 5:54am); May (5:07am - 5:24am); Jun (5:07am - 5:10am); Jul (5:10am - 5:25am); Aug (5:25am - 5:41am); Sep (5:41am - 5:54am); Oct (5:55am - 6:12am); Nov (6:13am - 6:35am); Dec (6:36am - 6:53am)

☀ Nagarkot Sunset Time by Month: Jan (5:19pm - 5:30pm); Feb (5:43pm - 6:02pm); Mar (6:03pm - 6:19pm); Apr (6:20pm - 6:36pm); May (6:36pm - 6:53pm); Jun (6:54pm - 7:01pm); Jul (6:53pm - 7:02pm); Aug (6:25pm - 6:52pm); Sep (5:50pm - 6:24pm); Oct (5:20pm - 5:49pm); Nov (5:07pm - 5:19pm); Dec (5:07pm - 5:18pm)

Rosy Sunrise in Nagarkot