Visit Nagarkot: Top Things To Do & Must-Visit Places in Nagarkot, Nepal (2024)
Nagarkot has been an integral part of Nepal tourism for many years. Due to its proximity to Kathmandu, this quaint hillside town has been visited by thousands of travelers worldwide. With an altitude of 7000 feet, Nagarkot allows tourists to get a magnificent view of the Himalayan ranges. It is one of the few areas in the world from where you will get to witness eight out of thirteen significant peaks on earth. As this site is located in Kathmandu valley, it is stunning. Among the significant peaks, Langtang, Annapurna, Manaslu, and Everest, are the most notable ones. The popularity of Nagarkot rose when royalties from Britain, India, and Nepal started staying in Nagarkot.
If you are searching for a destination where you can enjoy nature without any hindrance, spending a few days in Nagarkot might be an excellent idea for you. This town is pretty laid-back. By staying for a few days over there, you will genuinely get rejuvenated. It is pretty hard to believe that such a calm and fantastic hamlet like Nagarkot is located at an hour’s drive from the thriving Kathmandu. Throughout this village, you will notice lush green pine trees. These trees make the entire region even more beautiful. Apart from the panoramic views of the Himalayas, people visit this town for its affordability.
Everything is cheaper in Nagarkot compared to Kathmandu or Pokhara. In case you want to visit Nagarkot in the upcoming months, reading this blog will help.
Top Things To Do In Nagarkot
Nagarkot is a beautiful town that is perfect for spending some quaint and cozy days. But there are some great activities that you can partake in a while exploring the town. The top three things to do in Nagarkot are provided below.
Paragliding
Paragliding in Nagarkot has become extremely popular in the past few years. There are several companies in the town that offer tourists the experience to do paragliding safely. As you know that, from Nagarkot’s view of the eight major mountain peaks can be seen clearly, paragliding helps tourists view them even more closely. While partaking in this activity, you will see the Manaslu range, Everest range, Numbur range, etc., quite closely. Usually, these paragliding trips are held in Lapsihedi. You can get up to 6000 feet while paragliding in Nagarkot.
Hiking
Hiking is a significant part of Nagarkot tourism. Even if you are not planning on trekking on the Kathmandu Valley trek from this village, you can hike to certain spots over there. Nagarkot view tower is one of the most popular spots where tourists get after a hike. It usually takes people around 1 hour to get there. You can also go on longer trekking adventures from Nagarkot. Most people visit Dkhulikhel from the village. It takes them around six hours to get there. The trail starts from Nagarkot. The entrance of this hike is quite helpfully marked. You will have no problem finding it.
Relaxing by Campfires
Most hotels and restaurants in Nagarkot come with campfires. A great way to enjoy a blissful evening in the village is by relaxing by a fireplace or campfire. Many indoor restaurants also have fireplaces in Nagarkot. Having dinner in a rustic diner in Nagarkot while cozying up to the fireplace is one of the best things you can do in this village. Many tourists love to catch up with their loved ones by relaxing by the fire in Nagarkot.
Must-Visit Places in Nagarkot
Nagarkot might be a quaint town will significantly less population, but some places are located in its premises that tourists love to explore. The top sightseeing spots in Nagarkot are provided below.
Nagarkot Buddha Peace Park
The Buddha Peace Park is one of the most notable places in Nagarkot. To get there, you will have to climb a lot of steps. Climbing these many steps to reach a park might sound exhausting, but you will understand that all the troubles were worth the site once you reach there. Not only does this park allows you to get panoramic views of the Himalayas, but also, the park itself is pretty majestic.
The Buddha statue built in the park is quite exquisite. You will notice that the golden statue stands out amid the vastness of nature. “Bhumisparsha Mudra,” or Earth-touching pose, is the pose that Lord Buddha is found in the peace park in Nagarkot. When you reach the top of this park, you will notice the surrounding terrace farming fields. The breathtakingly beautiful view of the surrounding area will stay in your mind forever.
Changu Narayan Temple
The Changu Narayan Temple is one of the most-visited places near Nagarkot. This temple is located pretty close to Nagarkot, and many people prefer hiking there.
Dedicated to the powerful and famous Hindu deity, Lord Vishnu, this temple has a rich history and mythology attached to it.
Even though this temple was built in the 7th century by the Licchavi dynasty, it got destroyed due to a massive fire. Later, in the 17th century, it was re-built. The temple’s architecture is gorgeous and has been the subject of interest for many archaeologists worldwide. While exploring the temple, you will see that most of the idols located inside it are from the 7th century. Stone sculptures of Sridhar Vishnu, Vaikuntha Vishnu, and others are pretty notable.
Nagarkot Panoramic Hiking Trail
The panoramic hiking trail in Nagarkot is one of its most popular attractions. This trail is 12 km long and allows you to explore the nooks and corners of the Kathmandu Valley. While hiking from this village, you will reach another mesmerizing spectacular village named Tamang. After reaching Tamang, you will not only get to witness the majestic views of the surrounding area, but also, you will get in-depth knowledge regarding rural Nepal. Even though the trail is 12 km long, you will reach the Tamang village within three and a half hours.
Ways to Reach Nagarkot
To reach Nagarkot, first, you will have to reach Kathmandu. Reaching Kathmandu is pretty easy as it has its airport. You will have no problem getting flights to Tribhuvan airport in Kathmandu from different parts of the world. But from Kathmandu, there are a few ways through which you will get to Nagarkot. They are explained in the following.
By Road: As the distance between Kathmandu and Nagarkot is only 32 km, the journey from Kathmandu to Nagarkot would take you only one hour at most. To cover this distance, you will get a range of transportation in Nepal. You can hire a taxi to get there. Hiring a taxi from Kathmandu would cost you around INR 1500. Considering the short distance, this amount is quite hefty.
Cheaper options to reach Nagarkot from Kathmandu include minibusses and public buses. The minibusses cost INR 250 per head, and the public buses cost INR 60 per head. The only difference between minibusses and public buses is that the public bus will take around two hours to get you to Nagarkot.
By Trekking: Many adventure seekers go to Nagarkot by trekking as it lies on the mesmerizingly beautiful Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail in Nepal. The trek does not start at Kathmandu but starts at Sundarijal. By bus or a hired car, you can easily reach Sundarijal from Kathmandu. From Sundarijal, your hiking expedition will begin. It will take you around 11 hours to reach Sundarijal to Nagarkot. Do not worry, as most trekkers stop at Chisapani overnight to admire its beauty and to rest before starting their hike again the upcoming morning. Most people reach Chisapani after trekking for five hours from Sundarijal. From Chisapani, it would take you approximately six hours to reach Nagarkot.
By Mountain Biking: If you want to get the adrenaline pumping in your arteries, even more, you can reach Nagarkot by mountain biking. Sadly, mountain biking can not be availed from Kathmandu. Instead, it is available from Bhaktapur.
Best Months to Visit Nagarkot
The climate of Nagarkot is quite pleasant throughout the year, but the best months to visit there include March, April, October, and November.
The entirety of Nepal looks beautiful in Spring. You will notice that the mountains are lush green during that time, and the forests are filled with the breathtaking colors of the rhododendrons. Moreover, if you visit Nagarmkot in March or April, you will get to hike more easily.
The same things go for October and November as well. Like Spring, Autumn is a great time to enjoy Nagarkot. You can go paragliding and hike quite comfortably in these months. The clean skyline will offer you a pristine view of the mountain ranges.
The worst time to visit Nagarkot is in the monsoons. Not only will rapid rainfalls hinder your outdoor activities in the town, but also, the foggy skyline will hinder the panoramic view of the mountains. Many people go there in the winters, but hiking in the cold of Kathmandu valley is not a great way to spend your days.
Top Places to Stay in Nagarkot
Nagarkot might be a simple hillside town in Nepal, but several beautiful and luxurious resorts have been constructed there in the past few years. In the following, you will get to know about the top three accommodations located in the town.
Hotel Country Villa
Hotel Country Villa is not only a great hotel in Nagarkot but also in the entirety of Nepal. This resort is spread over 2.5 acres and offers tourists a crystal-clear view of the beautiful Himalayas. From any room on this property, you will get to see the majestic mountains. The in-house restaurant of Hotel Country Villa is perfect for gorging on lip-smacking delicacies. You will also find a bar inside the hotel premises. If your budget is not constrained, spending a few days in one of the Hotel Country Villa’s luxurious rooms in Nagarkot is an excellent idea for you.
Address: Naldum Road, 44812, Nepal.
Phone Number: +977 1-6680127.
Website: http://www.hotelcountryvilla.com/
Price of a room per night: INR 5500.
Hotel Himalayan Villa
Hotel Himalayan Villa is another luxurious resort in Nagarkot that allows tourists to spend a few days in bliss and comfort. As this property is located at the heart of this town, exploring Nagarkot is relatively easy for tourists staying there. All the rooms of this hotel are exceptionally maintained. They are comfortable and luxurious despite being relatively affordable. The Himalayan Villa’s beautiful location allows travelers to get a panoramic view of the majestic mountain ranges from any point of its premises. There is an in-house restaurant cum bar located inside the hotel. You will have great time spending days on this property.
Address: Baluwapati Deupur 44812, Nepal.
Phone Number: +977 1-6680119.
Website: https://www.hotelhimalayanvilla.com/
Price of a room per night: INR 4000.
Hotel Mystic Mountain
Among all the hotels and resorts in Nagarkot, the Mystic Mountain might be the most extravagant one. It has all the luxurious modern amenities of today’s world. Not only does this resort comes with a beautiful outdoor pool, but also it comes with an outdoor tennis court. With a fitness center, spa, fine dining restaurant, and bar, there is something for everyone in Hotel Mystic Mountain. Tourists love having barbeques while enjoying the breathtakingly beautiful views of the surroundings in this property. The rooms of this hotel are incredibly well-maintained. That is why so many tourists prefer staying there than any other hotels in Nagarkot.
Address: Baluwapati Deupur 44812, Nepal.
Phone Number: +977 1-6200646.
Website: http://www.hotelmysticmountain.com/
Price of a room per night: INR 7800.
Nagarkot is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Staying there even for a few days makes anyone feel contented and connected to nature. In this guide, we have tried to include every possible information regarding the town. If you are starting to plan a trip to this village, we suggest you bookmark this webpage for your convenience.
