Who doesn’t love witnessing the rising sun through snow-capped mountains? If you are in Kathmandu and haven’t witnessed the rising sun from the Himalayas, you are definitely missing a lot as a travel enthusiast. The one-day Nagarkot sunrise trip, including Bhaktapur sightseeing, is a perfect combination of natural, historical, and cultural exploration, just like most […]
Nagarkot Sunrise Trip overview
Who doesn’t love witnessing the rising sun through snow-capped mountains? If you are in Kathmandu and haven’t witnessed the rising sun from the Himalayas, you are definitely missing a lot as a travel enthusiast. The one-day Nagarkot sunrise trip, including Bhaktapur sightseeing, is a perfect combination of natural, historical, and cultural exploration, just like most trips in Nepal.
Starting early in the morning before the sun rises, this specific travel allows you to have breakfast with a stunning backdrop of rising suns on the mountain ranges. On a clear day, one can see the Langtang range , Dorje Lakpa Himal, Manaslu to the sacred Gauri-Shankar Himal. This 2000m high hill gives a fresh start of your day. Following the descent through the luscious green forest, this excursion further leads to Bhaktapur, the city of preserved culture, architecture, historic buildings, and more.
Bhaktapur is not a city, it is a living museum of Nepal. Build with authentic local bricks and preserved by the heart of locals, this is probably the most preserved durbar square of all in Kathmandu Valley.
Nagarkot Sunrise Trip highlights
- Breakfast with a breathtaking sunrise view and a backdrop of the Himalayan ranges.
- Excursion of Historical Heritages at Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
- Culture immersion into preserved Newari culture of Bhaktapur City.
- Detailed wooden and stone architecture at the 55-window palace, Nyatapola temple, Dattatreya temple, and more.
- Pottery square displaying live pottery making and display of artistic pottery works.
- Picturesque backdrop of the palace square to click outstanding pictures.
Nagarkot Sunrise Trip Itinerary
Expand AllActivity 01: Drive to Nagarkot from Kathmandu
The Nagarkot sunrise trip begins with an early morning drive at 4:30 am. You will be picked up from your hotel and taken on a scenic drive to Nagarkot Hill before sunrise. Since Nagarkot is 27 kilometers away from the center of Kathmandu, it will take about one hour to reach the sunrise viewpoint.
Activity 02: Watch Sunrise from Nagarkot
Without a doubt, the spectacular sunrise from Nagarkot is the major highlight of this trip. As soon as you reach, take a stroll around the viewpoint unless the sun rises. You can climb up the view tower to catch the first rays of the sun coming up from between the mountains. Soak up the serenity of the atmosphere and enjoy the glistening snow-capped mountains.
Activity 03: Enjoy a Breakfast with a View
Continuing the vibe of Nagarkot sunrise, you will enjoy a breakfast with a view here. The backdrop of Ganesh Himal, Langtang ranges, Annapurna, and even Mount Everest on clear days. After a heartful meal, you can stroll around the area and grasp more of the natural abundance of Nagarkot Hill.
Activity 04: Drive to Bhaktapur
Continuing the journey of a natural excursion, we will drive to Bhaktapur from Nagarkot while enjoying the beautiful scenery of verdant hills and green forests. The beautiful city is 13 kilometers away from Nagarkot, and it will take about half an hour to reach there. As you reach Bhaktapur, you will be welcomed by the intricate architecture of the buildings and temples and the ethnic lifestyle that is well-displayed in the houses.
Activity 05: Take a Stroll of Bhaktapur Durbar Square
You can enter Bhaktapur Durbar Square from the main entrance, the golden gate, or walk through the back alleys leading to the courtyard. You can take a stroll around the palace squares, courtyards, and palaces on the premises. The five-tiered Nyatapola temple, the 55-windowed palace, Taumadhi Square, the stone statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, and the peacock window are a few attractions of this palace square.
We will also have lunch at this place and enjoy a few local delicacies before returning. Don’t forget to try the special yogurt found here, which is also called the king of yogurt or “Juju Dhau” in the local language.
Activity 06: Drive Back to Kathmandu
After wrapping up our sightseeing tour of Bhaktapur Durbar Square, we will drive back to Kathmandu in a luxurious tourist vehicle. The drive will take approximately 40 minutes since Bhaktapur is approximately 15 kilometers away from Kathmandu. You will be dropped off at your hotel at the end of the trip.
Nagarkot Sunrise Trip Cost Includes
- Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off.
- Bhaktapur Guided Tour
- Local English Speaking Licensed Tour guide.
- Private vehicles for the early morning sunrise from Nagarkot
- First-aid treatment in case of any emergencies.
Nagarkot Sunrise Trip Cost Excludes
- Any food items or meals you will have on the trip.
- Bottled water or any beverage.
- Travel insurance and the emergency evacuation service charges.
- Personal expenses, including personal gear or equipment.
- Tipping and gratuities for Guides and Drivers
Nagarkot Sunrise Trip date and time
Dates | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|
Select Date:
Please select the date |
|
Trip Video
Nagarkot Sunrise Trip FAQs
Expand AllWhich is a good sunrise point in Nepal?
Nagarkot Hill is a good place to watch the sunrise in Nepal. It lies just on the outskirts of Kathmandu, so it is closer to the capital.
How far is Bhaktapur from Kathmandu?
Bhaktapur is approximately 15 kilometers away from Kathmandu, and it takes 40 mins to drive to this place on a low-traffic hour.
What is the highlight of the Bhaktapur area?
The artistic 55-windowed palace square, the five-tiered Nyatapola temple, and many other temples of Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the highlights of Bhaktapur. Apart from this, the city’s pottery and a special type of yogurt called “juju dhau” are very famous.
How much does the Nagarkot sunrise day tour cost?
A standard Nagarkot sunrise day tour costs $100, and customizing this trip can cost a few additional dollars.
Is Nyatapola temple famous in Bhaktapur?
Yes, the Nyatapola temple is quite famous in Bhaktapur as a cultural heritage. It is a five-tiered Hindu temple and the tallest of all in Nepal.
Can I eat Breakfast in Nagarkot?
The answer is Yes, you can have lavish breakfast with the magnificent view of the Himalayas from the terrace of the hotel in Nagarkot.
Nagarkot Sunrise Trip Reviews
Login to ReviewWhat makes this trip different ?
Environment-Friendly Initiative

- Awesome Holidays Nepal believes in contributing to the wellness of the environment while promoting adventure and tourist destinations in Nepal.
- For every visitor who books a trip or trek with us, we plant a fruit tree in barren lands in collaboration with community forests.
Giving Back to the Community

- Awesome Holidays believes that the native residents know any destination better than an outsider. Thus, the guides, porters, and travel companions who will serve you through the trek or tours are local residents of that particular region.
- As a part of our communal service, Awesome Holidays is also contributing to the welfare of street dogs by feeding them every week.
Similar trips
Experience the difference with our trek experts guiding you through the most challenging trekking routes of Nepal's most famous mountain base camps. We believe in making every journey awesome for you!