Nagarkot is located 32 km east of Kathmandu, Nepal in Bhaktapur District of Bagmati Province. Situated at an elevation of 2,195 meters, it is considered one of the most scenic spots for a sunrise view of the mighty Himalayas including Mount Everest as well as other peaks. Nagarkot also offers a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley, making it a very popular hiking destination for tourists visiting Nepal. An erstwhile summer retreat of Nepali, Indian and British royalty, this town rose to fame after tourists thronged the area in recent years. Nagarkot commands one of the broadest views of various Himalayan ranges such as Annapurna range, Manaslu range, Ganesh himalrange, Langtang range, Jugal range, Rolwaling range, Mahalangur range, and Numbur range.
Nagarkot also allows tourists a magnificent view of Shivapuri National Park. Easily accessible from Kathmandu by road via bus or taxi, Nagarkot is a major destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Nagarkot is a major destination for paragliding enthusiasts as it provides a great view of Mt. Everest, especially at dawn. Nagarkot was an ancient fort of the Kathmandu valley built to monitor the external activities of other kingdoms. Later, it became a summer retreat for the royal family before becoming popular as an international hill station. Nagarkot provides extensive views of Annapurna mountains to Kangchenjunga on the Sikkim border.
Nagarkot known for its picture-postcard scenery, s a major tourism destination for tourists looking forward to exploring this quaint landmark may hike or bike around the area. Besides hiking, Nagarkot is a perfect getaway spot for couples, backpackers, families. Visitors can try biking or horse riding. There numerous hotels, resorts, and homestays that offer luxurious, mid-range, and budget accommodation. The restaurants offer a variety of cuisine. Nagarkot is a good place to acclimatize to the high altitude for mountaineers who are interested in climbing the snow capped mountains.
The best time for visiting Nagarkot for viewing is from October to December and March to April when there are clear skies. One of the most popular spot that tourist prefer to watch the Himalayan splendour is Lookout Tower, perched at 2164m on a ridge, around an hour’s walk (4km) south from Nagarkot. Enthusiast can either take a dark and chilly walk, or take taxi/private car ride to reach this tower. Another popular destination to visit in Nagarkot is the Nagarkot Buddha Peace Garden with its massive golden Buddha. As such Nagarkot is a prime location as a hub for trekking to various parts of the Himalayas. Among the best routes are the Nagarkot Nature Trail and its extension as the Nagarkot Panoramic Hiking Trail, a 7.5-mile trek that takes 3 or 4 hours to complete and incorporates a Tamang village walk.
