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.[1] On a clear day, you can see Mount Everest with its snow-capped peaks from the observation tower at the top of the village’s hills.[2]
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.[3]
However, Nagarkot is a great place to do short hikes. You can literally walk on the valley’s ridge. The city has also become popular among mountain bikers, serving as a pit stop or base for regional excursions. Visitors can reach Nagarkot by taking a one-hour bus ride from Bhaktapur, Nepal. Taxi by comparison costs a hundred times more. Most people, however, drive up. Accommodations are moderately-priced, so most tourists spend the night and then go hiking or biking the next day, choosing from an array of routes. From Nargarkot, it takes just less than three hours to walk down a well-worn trail through several villages to Bhaktapur.[4]
Alternatively, in three hours time, you can hike down to Changu Narayan, considered the most elaborate and ornate temples in the valley[5] and designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO.[6] This Hindu temple is patronized by Buddhist worshippers in the valley who come to pay honor to Vishnu (also known as Lokeswar). While the present temple structure dates back only to the early 18th century, the main shrine by the entrance has inscriptions and stone tablets that date back to 5th century AD. Directly in front of the entrance, there is also a human-faced Garuda statue sculpted in the 5th century. Many other fine statues were crafted during the Licchavi period and the more recent Malla era, including the 17th century gilded enclosure of King Bupatindra and his queen.[7]
If you plan to stay in Nagarkot, you might want to do so at The Fort. This is the first boutique resort[8] built in traditional architecture. It offers panoramic views from its rooms and facilities and boasts an organic garden of various trees and species of flowers.[9]
References:
Burbank, Jon, Rosha Bajracharya, and Kesang Tseten. Nepal. New York: Prentice Hall Travel, 1993. ISBN: 0671879138.
“Changu Narayan.” < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changu_Narayan>
“History of Nagarkot.” < http://www.mountain-retreats.com/fort/history/h1.htm>
“Nagarkot.” < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagarkot>
“The Fort Resort.” < http://www.mountain-retreats.com/>
“The Fort Resort (Accommodations and Facilities).” < http://www.mountain-retreats.com/fort/resort/open2.htm>
[1] Nagarkot
[2] Burbank, 118
[3] History
[4] Burbank, 118
[5] Id. at 119
[6] Changu
[7] Burbank, 119
[8] The Fort Resort
[9] The Fort Resort (Accommodations)
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