Nagarkot, Kathmandu: How to Reach, Best Time to Visit & Travel Tips

Situated at a mere 28-kilometre drive away from Kathmandu, Nagarkot offers one of the best views of the Himalayas in the entire region as it has an altitude of 7000 feet (2000 metres)! The region is located  at the edge of Kathmandu Valley, From Nagarkot guest can see the widest panoramas of the Himalayan ranges – One can see 8 out of the 13 Himalayan ranges from the comfort of your accommodation. The mighty Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, Jugal, Everest, Numbur, Ganesh Himal and the Rolwaling ranges can be seen from Nagarkot on a bright sunny day.

A famous and old summer retreat of Nepali, Indian and British royalty, this village rose to fame after tourists thronged the area in recent years. The idyllic village sits serenely in the midst of nature - the only sounds you can hear are the birds chirping and the breeze whistling through the pines.

The biggest plus point is the viewpoint is the close proximity to the capital, which means that you can easily access Nagarkot from Kathmandu without spending too much time and money on travel. Accommodation is also cheap here, as is the food - Nagarkot has edge .

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Places to Visit in Nagarkot

The Nagarkot Panoramic Hiking Trail: This is a 12-kilometre trail beginning here, composes of the Nagarkot Nature Trail and the Tamang Village Walk. Here you can hope to spot beautiful and rare  butterflies of many colours and other mountain animals as well. Experience first-hand the authentic and eclectic culture of Tamang village and enjoy the hospitality of the charming locals, as you hike your way to one of the most remarkable viewpoints of Nepal. One can also see the peak of Mt Everest from this location. The trail takes a mere 3.5 hours to complete.

The Nagarkot Buddha Peace Park is another place you can hike to. The highlight of this park is the golden Buddha statue perched at the centre - you will have to navigate through terraced gardens to reach the statute, but the walk is worth it.

Paragliding: Adventure junkies can rest be assured of an adrenaline rush - you can paraglide through the towering Himalayas from Nagarkot. Adventure-sports agencies offer paragliding at specific times of the year, and we recommend the package which includes a view of Mt. Everest. Keep in mind that paragliding is allowed only if the weather conditions are conducive.

Changu Narayan Temple: Historians have lot of interest in the Changu Narayan temple, almost 2000 years old, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located close to Nagarkot. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple stands as a testament to the culture and architecture of yore. Overlooking the verdant valley, the Changu Narayan temple is nestled atop a hill, surrounded by fragrant Magnolia trees. The carvings and style of the sacred site are indeed stunning.

The famous Kailashnath Mahadev Statue, the world's tallest statue of the Hindu God Shiva, is a 20-kilometre drive away from Nagarkot. This 143-metre structure towers over the villages and stands high a guard to the valley.

Best Time of the Himalayan View: In order to enjoy the best of the 8 ranges is most magnificent during sunrise and sunset, so don't miss this. Schedule your plans between October and December because the dry winter season means lesser humidity and cloud coverage. Remember to pack warm if you plan on going there in this time, as the temperature can drop to as low as 1 degrees Celsius.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit Nagarkot?

The Good  time to visit Nagarkot are during the Spring months of March, April, and early Winters of October, November. The climate condition is best in spring, and the hills look very pretty with the most colourful flowers in full bloom. One may enjoy activities like hiking and paragliding to the fullest during these months. May-September is the summer in Nagarkot, and the heat will make outdoor activities a little difficult. Sometimes heavy rainfall as well which makes it tough to stay there as a tourist. November-February are the winter months in Nagarkot, and the temperature starts to drop quite frequent and fast. There’s a lot of mist and fog because of the heightened humidity all year round. During the evening and night, the visibility gets reduced and touring out at this hour might seem a little difficult.

What is the local food in Nagarkot?

You can find Nepalese and Indian cuisine in almost all the restaurants in Nagarkot. Local Restaurants are enjoyed by the tourist and they provide exotic view of the Himalayas .

What is the best way to reach Nagarkot?

Nagarkot is around 30km from Kathmandu International airport. The best way to reach is to take taxi from the airport.

How much does a package cost for Nagarkot?

The tour for Nagarkot start at INR 8500 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and what all we add to the tour.

What are the places near Nagarkot?

The highly sought and ranked places near to Nagarkot are Kathmandu which is 19 km from Nagarkot, Pokhara which is located 165 km from Nagarkot, Janakpur which is located 125 km from Nagarkot, Lumbini which is located 196 km from Nagarkot, Bhaktapur which is located 9 km from Nagarkot