Located 32 km away from Kathmandu, within the Bhaktapur district of Nepal, is a quaint little town called Nagarkot. It is one of the finest villages in the country known for its pristine views of the Himalayas that once served as the summer retreat for royal families from Nepal and India. As more and more tourists flock to this peaceful location, it has risen to become one of the top tourism spots in the country today.

Situated at an altitude of around 2100 m, Nagarkot provides brilliant views of eight ranges among the Himalayan peaks; the Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Numbur, Rolwaling, Manaslu, Annapurna and the Everest. Away from the hustle of city life, Nagarkot makes for a refreshing retreat for locals and tourists alike. A wide range of options in resorts and lodges spread all over the town are perfect for hillside views, and will make your job easier when looking for the right kind of accommodation. Here is a complete travel guide for you to make the most of your next vacation in Nagarkot, Nepal.

By Air:

Nagarkot is easily accessible via Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal. There is a wide range of domestic and international airlines that operate between Kathmandu and local cities in Nepal, and international destinations worldwide respectively. From Kathmandu, a bus can be taken to Bhaktapur, from where you can choose to take another bus or a taxi to Nagarkot.

By Road:

Taking the road route to Nagarkot involves crossing through the city of Bhaktapur before reaching your ultimate destination. The public bus can be taken from Ratna Bus Stand in Kathmandu that will drop you off at Bhaktapur, from where you can take a connecting bus to Nagarkot. The total journey time is about 2-3 hours.

The tourist buses travel from Kathmandu to Nagarkot directly without any stopovers. One can also choose to take a private taxi to get to Nagarkot for a more convenient trip.

Spring (March-April): 

Springtime is the one of the best seasons to spend in Nagarkot. The temperature is pleasant enough to enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities, and the clear weather presents with breathtaking sunrise and sunset views.

Summer (May-September):

Summers in Nagarkot get pretty hot during the month of May, with monsoon showers that start in June and carrying on till late August or early September. The temperatures do not get very high and range between 16ᴼC-24ᴼC, but the high levels of humidity ensure that summers are not the best time to holiday in Nagarkot.

Winter (November-February):

Autumn quickly gives way to the winter season from the beginning of November onwards. Being located at a higher altitude means the town of Nagarkot gets quite cold during the winter months. While the month of October and the beginning of November provide good sightseeing opportunities, December onwards the fog and mist grows too widespread and begins to hinder the view of the gorgeous panoramas. 

Hiking:

The charming scenes and peaceful landscapes of Nagarkot create brilliant trekking opportunities for all nature enthusiasts. Hiking in Nagarkot is nothing like what you would have possibly experienced in the more treacherous regions of Annapurna Base Camp or Everest Base Camp; here, with the right trail, even children and older citizens can make the most out of their trek with minimum effort. There are a number of hiking routes that start at various points and can be customised to your comfort levels; ranging from a few hours to a couple of days. With plenty of stopovers and rest points, each hike will let you experience a different side to Nagarkot.

Paragliding:

Pokhara might be the paragliding capital of Nepal, but as tourism has gradually grown over the years in Nagarkot, a number of amazing paragliding spots have turned up in this remote village as well. With the help of a pilot guide, you get to experience a flight among the clouds overlooking the splendid mountains and the greens of the valleys, a sight to behold and a journey you will never forget.  

Sightseeing:

Apart from being a prime example of nature’s beauty at its finest, Nagarkot also boasts of prominent landmarks that deserve to be paid a visit. The Buddha Peace Garden and the Lookout Tower are two of the most famous tourist spots in the area, and involve some amount of walking to reach their respective locations. The Changu Narayan Temple is a mere 3-hour hike away from the main village, but can also be reached through a pre-arranged cab ride.

Yoga:

Most of Nepal is synonymous with yoga, and Nagarkot too offers a range of yoga retreats to help you rejuvenate yourself completely before you go back to your bustling city life. A number of homestays offer the opportunity to combine your lodging with calming yoga practice. Additionally, you can also choose to go down the route of blending your hiking activities with alternating yoga sessions; an option offered by a variety of local outfits.

Nagarkot’s versatility is featured less in its eateries and more in its accommodation options. Your best bet with food here will probably be what you find in your resort; and Nagarkot has no dearth of fine resorts.

Nonetheless, one of the top names in restaurants in Nagarkot is Café du Mont; located at the Peaceful Cottage Hotel, which also open to non-guests. To cater to all taste buds, it mostly serves a wide range of international cuisine. Berg House Café is another popular diner located on the main junction of the highway; Café Dorje Lakpa serves good vegetarian; Everest View Café and Langtang Restaurant are also worth trying out.