Nagarkot

Nagarkot

Nagarkot is a village located about 25 miles east of Kathmandu, Nepal. It is located on the northeastern rim of the Kathmandu Valley at an elevation close to 6,800 feet above sea level. It is one of the most scenic spots in the region, renowned for its sunrise and sunset views of the Himalayas.  You can pick Mount Everest out with its snow-topped peaks on a clear day as there is an observation tower at the very top of the village’s hills.

Nagarkot, historically, used to serve as the summer retreat for the royal family and many other aristocrats from Kathmandu. While the town offers great views of the mountains, there are few monasteries or temples.

However, Nagarkot makes for a good short hike, one in which you walk on the ridge of the valley. It has also become a popular stop for mountain bikers. You can catch a bus for the one-hour ride to Nagarkot from Bhaktapur, Nepal. A taxi will cost about a hundred times more. Most visitors, however, drive up, spend the night at one of the moderately-priced lodges and walk down by any number of routes. From Nargarkot, it takes just less than three hours to walk down a well-worn trail through several villages to Bhaktapur.

Alternatively, in three hours time, you can hike down to Changu Narayan, one of the most magnificent temples in the valley and designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The present structure was built in the early 1700's, but at the entrance of the main shrine are stone tablets with the inscriptions dating to 400 AD. Facing the entrance is a 5th century statue of a human-faced Garuda, the mount of Vishnu, who is also called Narayan. There are many other fine statues from the Licchavi era, as well as several from the more recent Malla pe riod, including that of King Bupatindra and his queen in a gilded enclosure from the 17th century. Changu Narayan is also patron ised by the Valley's Buddhists who wor ship Lokeswar (another name for Vishnu).

Nagarkot is the place where once Manjushree Bodhisatto stood and watched the lake in the Kathmandu Valley. Nagarkot is at the eastern periphery of the Kathmandu Valley. The hilltop called Nagarkot at more than 2,000 meters above the sea level is the second highest peak in the Kathmandu Valley. After an hour long exciting and winding drive you will be above to feel the cool breeze of air blowing endlessly into your face, and see the widest range of Himalayas including Mount Everest with our bare eyes from here. It is also one of the best spots to visit for unmatched sunrise and sunset views.And if awesome view is your first preference to visit Nagarkot,then, Peaceful cottage and cafe dumont ,nagarkot ought to be your first port of residence.

Get in:Tourist Buses and private Vehicle:
It is best to travel by private-hire cars to Nagarkot. Tourist shuttle buses also operate. From the Lainchour near by tourist hub of Thamel, it should take about 40 mins and from the city center, about an hour. A scenic drive via the ancient city of Bhaktapur and tiny villages along meandering mountain roads is a journey by itself, before arriving at Nagarkot.

Trekking:Trekking is another exciting way to get to Nagarkot. The routes can be 
Sundarijal-Sankhu-Nagarkot 
Bhaktapur-Changunarayan-Nagarkot

Mountain Biking:

The way from Bhaktapur to Nagarkot is steep and adventurous yet many tourists enjoy mountrain biking and it may be one of the way you can get to Nagarkot.

Get around:
By foot. Everything is within walking distance in Nagarkot and there are some lovely hikes around.

Things to See:

Nagarkot is surrounded by thickly forested hills of pine trees which give you an idyllic escape- with only the wind and the sound of rustling leaves to disturb you.

It is a rustic resort high on the northern fringe of the kathmandu valley.It is an outstanding hilltop that offers great views of Himalayas, breathtaking mountain scenery and the most impressive views of sunrise and sunset.

From Nagarkot, one see the breathtaking views of the major himalayan peaks of Nepal like Manaslu, Ganesh, Langtang, dorje Lakpa, sisa pagma, Choyu, Gauri Shankar, etc. On a clear crystal day, one can even see the tip of Mt. Everest(8848 m) from here. Many tourists go to Nagarkot at afternoon, stay at one of the resorts to view early morning sunrise over the mountains.

Do:
Nagarkot,an internationally renowned resort set on the edge of the Kathmandu valley, close to the city of Devotees, Bhaktapur, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas of the country.

At 2,175 metres above sealevel, Nagarkot is the second highest point on the valley rim. This hilltop resort is 32 km north east of Tribhuvwan International airport.It has grown into a popular resort to getaway far from the hustle-bustle of the city centre. Only an hour's drive from the Kathmandu downtown, you are soon far from the heat, dust, smoke and maddening crowd of Kathmandu with nothing to distract you from the pleasures of fresh breeze of the rural countryside.

For those who wish to spend more than one night in Nagarkot, there is plenty more activities to keep you occupied. For those wishing to stretch their legs and enjoy the fresh mountain breeze, there are several pleasant strolls around the rural countryside of Nagarkot. Here, you can savour the beauty of majestic mountains under comfort and quiet. Or if you wish you can do pony-riding, a visit to tamang village, bird-watching, meditation and yoga, hiking or simply stretch out in a terrace with a vodka cocktail and listen to the noise of rattling winds, you will definitely caught up the holiday mood. Nagarkot is surrounded by thickly forested hills of pine trees which gives you an idyllic escape- with only the wind and the sound of rustling leaves to disturb you.