Nagarkot sunrise tour
Description
Destination
Kathmandu-Nagarkot
Duration
1-2 Days
Grade
Easy
Max Altitude
2,175m
Group Size
1-18 Pax
Meal
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Activity
Sightseeing, Tour
Accommodation
3-star hotels
Season
Any time of the year
Nagarkot Sunrise Tour is one of the most beautiful short tours you can do from Kathmandu. 32 Kilometers from the capital, you will find Nagarkot, a small town at a much higher elevation (around 2,175 meters), that offers stunning views of the Himalayas and the Kathmandu Valley. This is a great tour for travelers looking for a break from the busy Kathmandu city life.
The tour starts with an early morning drive from Kathmandu. It is a 1.5 hour drive from the capital. While the city is still dark, the countryside is illuminated and beautiful. As you travel higher and higher, you will be greeted with fresh mountain air and beautiful views of pine and terraced farmland. When you arrive at Nagarkot View Tower, you will have the privilege of seeing the beautiful sunrise that most of us only see in pictures. It is an amazing experience when the sun’s first rays illuminate the tops of the Himalayas, it will be an experience you will not forget. On an average day, you will have the chance to see parts of the Everest Range.
While sunrise at Nagarkot is stunning, it is equally beautiful in the day. The environment and views make Nagarkot the ideal location for you and your companions to spend the day taking pictures, relaxing, and hiking. If you choose to, you can decide to extend your stay to the end of the day in order to witness sunset, the views are just as stunning.
Your tour package may include a stop at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, one of the cultural gems of the country, where ancient temples and traditional Newari structures from antiquity have been preserved. Nearby, you may wish to add a visit to Changu Narayan Temple, UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered to be the oldest temple in Nepal.
Designed for all kinds of travelers, the Nagarkot Sunrise Tour is perfect for families, couples, and even solo travelers. It is also a good option for travelers with limited time in Nepal.
Options:
- 1. 5 days tour (no trekking required)
- 2 days tour (include other cultural or hiking activities)
Itinerary including Hiking Options
Breathtaking Spot to View the Mountains from Nagarkot
Nagarkot is one of the most picturesque viewpoints in Nepal. It has clear views of the great Himalaya range. You can see mountain ranges all the way from the far western to the far eastern regions of Nepal. You can see and identify several ranges such as Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Gauri Shankar, and the Jugal ranges. You can even see the Everest and Kanchenjunga mountains.
Sunrise is the most beautiful time to see the Himalayas. You can see the snow up there start to turn from white to fresh gold. You don’t have to trek in the thick of the jungle to see such views. You can drive to see such breathtaking panoramas and panoramas in less than three hours from the capital of Nepal, where the jungles of Kathmandu are.
Travel Options Available From Kathmandu to Nagarkot
Traveling to Nagarkot is really easy as one can travel via local bus, taxi, or private vehicle. Local bus is the cheapest option because of the crowd, however, it is the slowest because the bus has to stop at almost every bus stop. Private vehicles are a much better option as people are able to travel smoothly and can stop wherever they like to take photographs. This is especially important to ensure that one arrives at the time they would like to see the sunrise.
Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Hike
To make your trip a bit adventurous, you could do the sunrise tour combined with a hike to Changu Narayan Temple, one of the oldest temples in Nepal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This hike is approximately 9-10 km and will take you about 3-4 hours. It is a pleasant walk that is not very difficult, and you will pass through a number of small villages, a few forests, and some terraced farmland. You will experience local life, rustic traditional houses, and of course stunning natural scenery. It’s a perfect blend of culture and natural beauty.
Short Nagarkot Village Hike
After the sunrise, you can enjoy another shorter, easier hike around Nagarkot. A 2-3 hour hike will bring you through a number of villages, a forest or two and some open spaces. You may pass some local Tamang villages and witness traditional life, farming and culture.
This hike is great for those who are just starting out and for those who simply want to enjoy nature without a long hike. If you would prefer not to hike, you can relax and take a drive back to Kathmandu.
Nagarkot Sunrise with Bhaktapur Sightseeing
On your tour of Nagarkot, you can also stop to visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square on the way back. This ancient city is famous for its stunning temples and traditional houses as well as its rich Newari culture.
When walking in Bhaktapur, it seems like walking in the past. The beautifully preserved palaces, wooden carvings, and statues, as well as the local markets, are testimony to the town’s long history. It is one of the best places in Nepal to discover history, art and culture in one spot.
Why select the Nagarkot Sunrise Tour?
Among all the trips in Nepal, the Nagarkot Sunrise Tour is one of the best. It is less than one day’s journey from Kathmandu and provides excellent views of the mountains as well as a serene and relaxing atmosphere. It is a walk suited for everyone, individuals, groups and families.
If you are seeking a trip to visit the Himalayas as well as an opportunity to unwind amidst the mountains and experience the local culture, this is the trip to book.
Witness Mount Everest from Nagarkot
Would you like to see Mount Everest without having to take an expensive flight to see it? Then you should consider Nagarkot. It is one of the best locations near Kathmandu to see the Himalayas, including Mount Everest on clear days.
You will enjoy the peace of the Nagarkot hill station, as you look at an extensive range of mountains around you, including Mount Everest, as well as stunning peaks from the Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and Gauri Shankar mountain ranges. The views are phenomenal and extremely wide, especially on clear days.
If you are planning to go to Nagarkot, the best thing to do is to leave as early as possible. If you arrive early, you will be able to watch the sun rise over the mountains. Watching the snow capped mountain tops transform from dark to gold is amazing, and the experience is incredibly special. The mountains take in the refreshingly cool air and the surroundings fall into silence.
If you are already in Kathmandu and want to go on a short and easy trip to see the mountains, you should consider the Nagarkot Sunrise Tour. It is an easy trip that gives you stunning experiences of the mountains and the Himalayas without the need for going on long treks and without the need for going on expensive ones.
