As it is just 16 miles (27 kilometres) from the heart of the capital, the hill-top town of Nagarkot is a popular short break destination from Kathmandu. A 1.5-hour drive from the Kathmandu Valley via the Himalayan foothills is the fastest and easiest route to travel.
Or, hit the trail: you can hike one of Nepal's most favoured short treks from the outskirts of Kathmandu, reaching Nagarkot in around 5 hours.
Overview of Nagarkot
Nagarkot is a former Village Development Committee in Bhaktapur District in Bagmati Pradesh, 32 km east of Kathmandu, Nepal, and part of Nagarkot Municipality as of 2015. It is considered one of the most beautiful sights in Bhaktapur District, at an elevation of 2,195 meters.
Caption: Nagarkot: Himalayan Vistas Await
It is renowned for the sunrise view of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest, and other peaks of eastern Nepal's Himalayan range. Nagarkot also provides a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley. For visitors, the natural beauty of the area makes it a trendy hiking path.
It is approximately 7000 feet (2000 m ) above sea level and 28 km from the International Airport of Kathmandu. There are many hiking options in and around Nagarkot for those committed lovers of nature and outdoor enthusiasts.
The most famous among them is the Nagarkot eco-trail (nature walk) along with the Nagarkot panoramic hiking trail. Paragliding with a view of Everest can also be experienced in Nagarkot.
Nagarkot was an ancient fort in the Kathmandu Valley, located in a strategic position, designed to control the external activities of other kingdoms. Later, before becoming famous as an international hill station, it became a summer resort for the royal family.
Ways to Reach Nagarkot From Kathmandu
There are three ways by which can you can reach the hills of Nagarkot. They are:
- By Private Transport
- By Private Transport and then a short trek
- By a Local Bus
By Private Transport (time taken: 1.5 hrs)
A private means of transport is the most comfortable and most pleasant way to get from Kathmandu to Nagarkot.
Via your travel expert or hotel, you can book a comfortable car and a driver or arrange a price with a nearby taxi driver. In Nagarkot, there is no taxi stand, so plan your return trip to Kathmandu via your driver or hotel.
Sunrise: Nature's Golden Embrace
While Nagarkot is not far from Kathmandu, once you leave the Kathmandu Valley, the traffic conditions and hilly terrain means that the journey is slower than would be indicated by the mile number.
By Private Transport and then a short trek (time taken: 5 hrs)
If you book a private mode of transport to nearby Bhaktapur or the village of Sankhu on the outskirts of Kathmandu, in just a few hours you can go on a lovely hike to Nagarkot and nearby towns.
It is amongst the most popular short treks in Nepal, although there are some steep areas, suitable for hikers of all levels.
Enjoying the spectacular views of the Kathmandu Valley and snow-capped Himalayan peaks, you'll make your way through oak, pine, and rhododendron trees.
By a Local Bus (time taken: 3+ hrs)
If you are staying in Bhaktapur and feel adventurous, an appropriate way to get to Nagarkot is to take the local bus. However, whether you're staying in Kathmandu's more central suburbs, or even Patan's, but it's not that easy. So you're going to have to board a local bus to Bhaktapur first, and then change to the Nagarkot bus.
Nagarkot: Tranquil Escape Awaits
It is possible but long and inconvenient, and it is not very safe for local buses. This road does not have tourist buses running along with it.
Bear in mind that the Kathmandu to Bhaktapur bus could stop at a different location from where the Bhaktapur to Nagarkot bus leaves (this would almost certainly be the case if you've come to Bhaktapur from Patan).