Name: Nagarkot

Nepali Name: नगरकोट

District: Bhaktapur

Population: 4,571 inhabitants (2011 census)

Altitude: 2,200 meters

Situated 32 kilometers east of Kathmandu, the town of Nagarkot ranks among Nepal's finest vantage points for mountain gazing and commanding views over the entire Kathmandu Valley. On clear days, Mount Everest, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang are all within sight. The panoramic sunrise views over the Himalayas alone justify the journey to Nagarkot, which has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

Discovering Nagarkot

Nagarkot is undoubtedly a small gem of the Kathmandu Valley that, like a watchtower, offers extraordinary panoramic vistas of the world's highest snow-capped peaks. These spectacles allow you to appreciate all the more the flower-filled valleys and terraced rice paddies sculpted into the hillsides. Far from the pollution and chaos of the city, Nagarkot enjoys relatively clear skies and invites you to relax and reconnect with nature. Upon arrival, you'll encounter schoolchildren heading to class, farmers, and women carrying heavy loads on their heads. Their smiles will welcome you and make you feel at home, where life unfolds at the rhythm of the seasons. The unpretentious, hardworking lives of locals will immerse you in an authentic rural world. Venture further and discover the temples and monasteries scattered throughout. Nagarkot boasts cultural treasures such as the Swayambunath Stupa, an important Buddhist and Hindu religious site, the sacred Bagmati River, the Nyatapola Temple, and the Pashupatinath Temple, which serves as a cremation ground. Nagarkot also has its own Durbar Square and houses a precious palace adorned with 55 windows and a golden gate.

Hiking Around Nagarkot

The town of Nagarkot is renowned as an excellent trekking destination. Perched at altitude, it offers numerous trails through mountains and terraced rice fields. It's equally possible to reach the town on foot from Kathmandu to fully appreciate the landscape. Consider arriving in Nagarkot during the afternoon to enjoy the magnificent mountain sunset.

The quickest way to reach Nagarkot is by bus from Kathmandu, which takes approximately 2-3 hours. You can also rent a taxi or car. For those coming to Nepal for trekking, hiking trails of varying difficulty connect Nagarkot to Kathmandu and other towns in the Kathmandu Valley.

What to Do in Nagarkot?

• Soak in the scenery while watching sunrise and sunset over the mountains from town.
• Explore the town's monuments and historical sites: the Swayambunath Stupa, the sacred Bagmati River, the Nyatapola Temple, the Pashupatinath Temple, and its Durbar Square.
• Trek from town toward surrounding villages.
• Taste Nagarkot's famous spiced dishes and local dairy products.