Overview
Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and the first tourist hub they visit when they arrive in Nepal. Many trekking destinations lead from Kathmandu, but there are also short-day treks that are equally enjoyable. This blog will discuss the 1 Day Nagarkot Sunrise Hike, which has been getting a good reputation among the local and foreign trekkers.
The Kathmandu Nagarkot Day tour, also known as the Nagarkot sunrise hike, takes you to the famous hill station in the Bhaktapur district. It is just an hour's drive from Kathmandu. Nagarkot, located at around 2175m, offers stunning sunrise and sunset views, with eight distinct mountain ranges visible, including Annapurna and Everest. Previously a holiday spot for Shah Kings, Nagarkot holds historical significance, adding to its charm. The day trip includes a hike from Nagarkot to the Changunarayan temple and sightseeing at Changu Narayan temple, providing a delightful Nepalese experience and lifestyle before returning to Kathmandu
Trip Highlights
- Nagarkot Hill is the best point for sunrise and panoramic Himalayas views from Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Gaurishanker, and Mount Everest.
- Magnificent early morning drive through towns and villages of Bhaktapur city.
- Climb the Nagarkot Sunrise Towers for a stunning view of Himalayan peaks.
- It is a challenging but rewarding hike towards the UNESCO World Heritage site in Changunarayan.
- Experience one of the shortest but most beautiful hiking spots in Nepal.
Nagarkot Sunrise Hike Details
The 1 Day Nagarkot Sunrise Hike starts from Kathmandu and takes you to Nagarkot and Changunarayan Temple. Nagarkot is a famous hill station about an hour's drive from Kathmandu. You can see the beautiful Himalayan range occupying many mountains and watch the majestic sunrise from the top of the tower. Moreover, you can learn about Nepalese culture and how they are protected despite Western culture's influence. The refreshing breeze in Nagarkot provides a pleasant break from Kathmandu's hustle and bustle, letting you enjoy the open surroundings.
Another primary reason for the Nagarkot hike is to witness the majestic Himalayan beauty. Among the 13 mountain ranges in the country, Nagarkot highlights eight of them, such as the Annapurna range, Manaslu range, Ganesh range, Langtang range, Jugal range, Rolwaling range, Mahalangur range (Everest), and others. Once a favored holiday spot for the Shah Kings, Nagarkot's appeal has grown among the public recently. Historically, it served as a fort before the unification of Modern Nepal, strategically positioned to monitor the affairs of neighboring kingdoms.
Nagarkot tour packages are made for family get-togethers and bonding moments. The sightseeing tour from Kathmandu to Nagarkot allows you to see peaceful towns and villages from your vehicle. This trip also features a stunning sunset view during the early morning and an unmatched sunrise view, so you have plenty of time to take some lovely photos. Overall, it is the best way to enjoy and create memories with your family. Further, if you want to lengthen this trip, we can customize the Kathmandu Pokhara Nagarkot Tour, encompassing Pokhara and Kathmandu City into your itinerary.
Mountain Range from Nagarkot Sunrise Tower
One of the major attractions of the Nagarkot Sunrise Day Hike is Nagarkot Sunrise Tower. Each day, hundreds of people visit this tower to get a glimpse of the majestic sunrise and sunset and views of the mountain range of Nepal. This sunrise tower provides a breathtaking panorama of mountain ranges stretching far and wide. Langtang and Jugal Himal stand tall in the eastern direction.
Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges create a magnificent backdrop in the west. During the early morning, light and shadow create a spectacle. As time passes in a day, the changing of clouds, sun righting, and its peak create a different experience for the trekker visualizing these phenomena.
Hence, if visitors genuinely want to understand the mountain range's diversity in Nepal, they should visit the Nagarkot Sunrise Tower. The mountains' size, shapes, and snow-white color make it look like a stunning curtain at the top of the sky. After taking
Outline
Your Hotel - Nagarkot View Tower - Nagarkot village - Telkot - Changunarayan Temple - Your Hotel
Daily Itinerary
Nagarkot 1 Day Tour Itinerary
2175m, Nagarkot 1 Breakfast 1 Lunch
Phase 1: Drive to Nagarkot, Sunrise view from View Tower (1.5 hours)
This day trip is a fantastic tour that explores the bright side of the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley. Our representatives will pick you up from your hotel early (4:30 am) in this package. Then, you will drive eastwards to Nagarkot, which takes approximately one and a half hours. Upon reaching your destination, you will drive to Nagarkot View Tower, located in the southern reach of the area. As the dawn of the day kicks in, you will witness the surreal beauty of sunshine that flares upon the mighty Himalayas. This site is worthwhile to behold. After finishing this part, you will have a delightful breakfast at a nearby hotel in Nagarkot.
Phase 2: Hike to Changunarayan (1 Hr)
The second leg of the journey includes a delightful leveled hike towards Changunarayan temple, a UNESCO-listed world heritage site. The walk from Nagarkot towards Changunarayan traverses through dense pine and oak forests. In between lies several small rural hamlets, giving you the vibe of rural Nepal. This hike takes about another hour before you reach the temple. The intricate carvings, historical architecture, and structure make this temple alluring and magnificent.
Phase 3: Drive back to Kathmandu
After your temple visit ends, you will be led to a restaurant for your mid-day lunch. You can savor the beauty of the surrounding space with a backdrop of Himalayan mountains during your lunch. We will then start our return journey, going through ancient Bhaktapur and navigating Kathmandu's dense traffic. You will be dropped off at your hotel by 2-3 pm, and the trip ends.
Whats Included?
- Your Hotel- Nagarkot and Changunarayan Temple- Hotel by private vehicle and driver.
- Breakfast and Lunch with tea/ coffee, any soft drinks.
- Nagarkot and Changunarayan entrance fee.
- One experience hiking guide his salary, all the meals.
- Our official charge and 13% Government VAT.
Whats not Included?
- Tips for hiking guide and driver.
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Essential Infos
Best Attractions of 1 Day Nagarkot Sunrise Hike
Nagarkot Sunrise Watch Tower
One main reason for or attraction to the Nagarkot Sunrise hike is the stunning sunrise view from the tower. This Tower is located at an elevation of 2175m. We can reach here after 5 minutes walk from the main road. Nagarkot is the best point to see the sunrise. We leave early to see the sunrise view on this Tour.
Himalayas View:
Apart from the sunrise and sunset views, during your Day Sunrise Hike, you can also see a glimpse of some stunning mountain ranges. On a clear day, we have great opportunities to see the Himalayas view from Number Himal, Mount Everest in the distance, Gaurishanker, Dorje Lakpa, Gangchenpo, Shishapangma, Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal, and Manaslu ranges.
Changunaraya Temple:
Changunaranyan Temple is the oldest temple in Kathmandu, where many Hindu pilgrims visit to worship. It is located at the top of the Hill. A champak tree covers the temple. There are many oldest status of Garuda Narayan, Sridhar Bhishnu, Vaikuntha Bishnu, Chhinnamasta, Vishworup, Bhishnu Vikrant, Narasimha, Kileswor, Lichhavi King Manadev Pillar etc. Bishworup statue of one of the popular ones. The temple is listed as a World Heritage site.
Nagarkot - Changu Narayan Temple Hike:
There is beautiful hiking from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Temple. The trek to Telkot will pass small villages with local people's lifestyles, farm terraces, domestic animals, and many birds. It is a downhill walk. From Telkot to Changu Narayan temple, you will walk uphill initially, mainly in a jungle walk.
Cultural Immersion
If you want a short trek that will allow you to experience adventure and immerse yourself in different cultures. During this tour, you will meet people from Brahmin, Chettri, Tamang, Gurung, Tharu, etc, and learn about their culture, traditions, and rituals.
The Cost of the Nagarkot Sunrise Tour
The Nagarkot Sunrise Tour now costs between $55 or $70 per person, which is a fair price for such a good experience. For this price, you get transport, an experienced guide, ETC. One of the most famous short treks in Kathmandu is the Nagarkot Sunrise Hike, which gives you stunning views of the Himalayas at dawn. Although the walk can be done in one day, it offers a lot of different experiences and is less expensive than longer treks in Nepal. Several things affect the price, such as the number of guides, the cost of transportation, and so on.
Even more people can enjoy this opportunity because we offer discounts for groups:
- $55 for each person in groups of more than 10
- $60 for each person in groups of 5 to 9
- For two to four people, it costs $70 per person.
With these deals, bigger groups can enjoy the same high-quality experience at a lower cost. This makes it a great choice for family, friend, or business trips.
Group Size: Naturally, the group size in the trek affects the cost of the hike. The larger the group size, the trek cost per person decreases, but the overall cost will increase. So, if you want to plan for the trek and are worried about budget, booking a hike as a group is wise.
Seasons: The trek cost is high when you book the trek during peak seasons. Whereas in the off-season, since the demand for trekkers is low, the cost of the trek. So, one drawback of trekking in the peak season is that it might cost you a bit extra.
Trekking Agency: The trek cost also changes based on the trekking agency you choose. Some often provide discounts and offers around the new year, festivals, or anniversaries. So before booking your trek, it's wise to check all the offers and discounts to get some heavy discounts.
The Best Time for Nagarkot Sunrise Hike
Nagarkot Sunrise Hike is an easy but fun hike with friends and families. However, if you choose the wrong time for your hike, then you might hinder your fun.
Spring Season
The best time for the Nagarkot Sunrise Hike is the Spring season, when you will welcomed by the pleasant views of the mountains, skies, flowering trails, and jungles. During this season, wildlife also comes into the light, as you will hear birds chirping throughout your trek, and you might even encounter some animals.
Autumn Season
Autumn is another ideal season for trekking Nagakot Sunrise Hike. Although you won't find colorful trails in the region, you will see some stunning views of the mountains and skies. Furthermore, if you are only trekking Nagarkot for the panoramic views of the mountains, sunrise or sunset, then this season might be the best for you.
Monsoon Season
Hiding Nagarkot Sunrise during the extreme monsoon season, especially in June and July, is not advisable. The weather is hot, humid, and constantly raining mildly or heavily. Moreover, the rainfall makes the tracks or roads you are traveling or hiking wet and slippery, which can cause injury. During the monsoon season, Nepal is very vulnerable to natural disasters like floods, landslides, etc, which can block your path and leave you stranded, which is another reason not to choose your day tour during the Monsoon season.
Trek Difficulty of Nagarkot Sunrise Hike
Nagarkot Sunrise Hike is not an arduous trek; it is one of the easiest treks in Nepal. This hike takes one day to complete, so you don't have to spend days and days completing the expedition and trekking from one place to another.
Nagarkot Sunrise Hike is one of the short and easy treks in Nepal. However, it can cause some difficulty for trekkers over 50 if they are not physically fit. Furthermore, since you have to climb an altitude of over 2000m, it might affect some female trekkers and children.
One of the best ways to minimize the difficulty of the Nagarkot sunrise hike is to raise physical fitness. Raising physical stamina not only helps you be healthy but also enjoys your trek as you don't always feel tired.
Packing List for Nagarkot Sunrise Hike
When planning what to wear for your hike to Nagarkot, remember that the type of trip and the time of year will impact your clothing choices. In Kathmandu, the days are usually warm, but the evenings are cooler from April to the end of October and from November to the end of March.
During the summer, lightweight clothing is suitable for the entire day, but bringing a light jacket for the evenings is a good idea. From December to February, winter lasts, so pack plenty of warm clothing, including coats, sweaters, and pants. If you plan to hike from Nagarkot to Chagunarayan Temple, comfortable walking shoes and light clothing are best. However, bringing a lightweight jacket is also wise, as the hilltop may get chilly.
Here are some items you might want to pack for Nagarkot Sunrise Pack.
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Trekking Tshirts and Boots
- Trekking Poles
- Snacks
- Water bottles
- Medicines
- First Aid Kits
- Toiletries
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance of Nagarkot from Kathmandu is 27.8 km. It takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to reach Nagarkot from KTM by car. If you take a bus, it might take more than 3 hours. The scenic drive in this trek is also among the attractions people love to enjoy.
In 1979, The Changunaryan was submitted for the nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The six other sites of Nepal were nominated for nomination: Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Patan, Kathmandu, and Lalitpur Durbar Square.
The Nagarkot Sunrise Tour is worth it for the local and foreign tours. There are many reasons why you should tour Nagarkot, and some of them are the breathtaking views, the opportunity to click some amazing photographs, getting away from the busy life of Kathmandu, and the tranquility of Nagarkot Hill Station.
The highest elevation of this trip is 2175m. You must wear a light jacket, hiking shoes, a hat, a small bag, trousers, a T-shirt, a bottle of water etc. You should bring an umbrella for this trip during the monsoon season.
You can tour the Nagarkot Hike solo as they are easy to complete. However, traveling with groups or a couple of friends might be more fun than trekking alone. You may also need to hire at least one guide to make your navigation more accessible and help with your safety.
Nagarkot is a popular one-day trek in Nepal that starts in Kathmandu. Day Tours Nepal's usual itinerary includes Nagarkot, Bhaktapur, or Changunarayan. Another option is to trek from Nagarkot to Dhulikhel. It takes about 4-5 hours to hike from Nagarkot to Bhaktapur and 6-7 hours from Nagarkot to Dhulikhel.
To see the sunrise in Nagarkot, you must drive early in the morning and reach the Nagarkot View Point. The venue is packed with trekkers and travelers as early as 4 Am. Hence, reaching the tower quickly and waiting for sunrise is wise; otherwise, you might miss the chance.
For Nagarkot Sunrise Trek, 1-2 days are enough. You will reach Nagarkot and can also visit ChanguNarayan on the same day. However, you can add Pokhara and Lumbini to the same package, increasing your overall trek duration to more than five or seven days.
Nagarkot to ChanguNarayan is about 15.5 km, meaning it takes 35 to 40 minutes to reach the area by vehicle. After visiting Nagarkot and witnessing the sunrise, you can head towards Changunaryan temple via the countryside road, enjoying the early morning's stunning atmosphere and fresh air.
Important Note
Available of the trip
We organise small group private trip. If you are 2 or more people in your group, you may book any dates.
Travel Insurance
The travel insurance is need in case of any emergency. It is recommend to have. If you are doing short and low elevation trek, you can do normal insurance. But if you are doing high altitude or adventure trek, you should have emergency rescue.
Last Minute booking
Normally, trekkers plan the trip before 3-9 months. Some trekkers decide the trip in last minutes. It is also possible to book your trek at last minutes. For the Last minutes booking, you need to make a full payment.
Tipping
Tipping is highly expected. Our staffs try their best during the trip. After the trip, Tipping is expected. It is not fixed amount or percentage. We recommend the tipping according to their services.
Safety
When you are travelling, the safety is most important. For the safety of our clients, we trained our guide and porters. They are all register trekking / Tour / Climbing guide and experience porters.
Extra personal expenses
For the extra expenses, it is good to bring USD / Euro / Pound Sterling or ther currency. You may change to Nepali Rupees (NPR) at Tribhuwan International Airport or near your Hotel in Kathmandu. You will use only Nepali rupees during the trip.
Nepal visa
Accept few countries , you will get on arrival Nepal’s Visa at the Tribhuwan International Airport or Nepal board. I recommend to fill up Nepal Visa online form and bring it with you. It will be faster and easy for you and visa fee is recommended to bring cash US dollar. You can’t pay by using credit card.
Trip extension or Itinerary Disclaimer
We organize small group private trip. The trip extension is possible but you have to figure out when you booking the trip.
Group joing and Fixed departure
Most of the time, we have small group private trip. Group joining or fixed departure will be available only at the clients request.
Luggage store
You are not taking all the lugguage on the trek. You will take only necessary gears on the trek and rest of the gears, you will store at your Hotel in Kathmandu or Pokhara or in our office in Kathmandu. All the Hotels have free luggage store services. It is more convenient to store at your Hotel.
Responsible travel
- Ask permission to photograph people.
- Do not remove or purchase antiques, it is illegal.
- Avoid wearing revealing clothes and avoid outward displays of physical affection.
- Do not anything to disturb environment or wild animals.
Domestic flight
Normally, domestic flight is not on time. If you have international flight with domestic connection flight. It is always better to keep some gaps.
Trek Booking
For the Booking, we need passport copy, passport size photo by email or What's App and 20% deposit.
Why Himalaya Trip ?
- Fast response
- Small group private trek
- Safety is top priority
- Recommended on TripAdvisor
- Tailor made itinerary
- Seasonal package
- 200 plus trekkers take service every year
- 30-40% repeated customer
