Nepal travel
The Best Day Trips from Kathmandu
Bhaktapur, Patan, Nagarkot, Changu Narayan, Shivapuri, Kopan and more — the easiest and most rewarding day trips from Kathmandu and Budhanilkantha.
· 6 min read
Hill station
Nagarkot travel guide
A hill village on the valley rim with one of the broadest Himalayan views near Kathmandu.
Photo: Bijay Chaurasia (opens Wikimedia Commons in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab), via Wikimedia Commons
About Nagarkot
Nagarkot sits on the eastern rim of the Kathmandu Valley, roughly 30 km from Kathmandu and a little over 2,100 m above sea level. On clear mornings its viewpoints look across a long sweep of the Himalaya — which is why most visitors come for sunrise.
It is also a popular start for gentle hikes along the valley rim and down through villages and forest.
Things to do in Nagarkot
Sunrise viewpoint
Walk up to the viewpoint before dawn; on clear days the panorama stretches along the Himalaya.
Hike to Changu Narayan
A popular downhill walk through villages and forest to Changu Narayan, one of the valley's oldest temples and a UNESCO monument zone.
Valley-rim walks
Easy trails along the ridge with terraced fields and views on both sides.
Getting to Nagarkot
- By car from Budhanilkantha allow about 1½–2 hours; most visitors stay overnight to see sunrise.
- Combine with Bhaktapur on the way.
Best time to visit
October to March for the clearest views; spring haze and monsoon cloud often hide the mountains.
Local tips
- Stay overnight — sunrise is the reason to go, and roads are quiet before dawn.
- Bring a warm layer: mornings on the rim are much colder than in the city.
Nagarkot: frequently asked questions
Can you see Everest from Nagarkot?
On very clear days distant high peaks in the Everest region can be seen from the viewpoints, but they are far away and often hidden by haze or cloud. Clear autumn and winter mornings give the best chance.
Is Nagarkot a day trip?
It can be, but you'll miss sunrise. An overnight stay is better.
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Plan a trip to Nagarkot
Staying with us in Budhanilkantha? We can arrange a driver, a guide or a full tour to Nagarkot. Tell us your dates and what you'd like to see.