Nagarkot Sunrise Hike – 1 Day

Hike Difficulty & Fitness Tips

This will be a simple and comfortable hiking trip, suitable to beginners and travelers of nearly all ages. It is primarily a downhill trail extending between Nagarkot (2,175 m) and Changu Narayan (1,500 m), which means that it does not demand particular skills or a good level of fitness. It has some small uphill sections though they are brief and easy to handle.

Even if you don’t have much hiking expertise, you will be able to do this hike easily and slowly. Our guide will never rush you since he will constantly walk with you and change the speed of walking as needed. In order to prepare, we suggest that you should be in overall good health and you should be able to walk 3–4 hours at an easy pace with breaks. You should be able to walk 3–4 hours at an easy pace with breaks.

Stretching before and after walking can help keep your muscles from getting sore. There will be frequent rest intervals, hydration, and a view of the scenery during the hike. It is important to take things at your own speed and enjoy the moment instead of being time conscious. The hike will be a refreshing and satisfying experience with the help of our guide and the easygoing nature of the trail.

Accommodation and Meals

This will be a one day hike, so we will not have to spend the night on the path. You are likely to spend at least one night in Kathmandu at the hotel before and after the hike. During the hiking day, we will leave very early in the morning and hence, there is no necessity to pack to stay over unless you would like to stay longer in Nagarkot. In case you do, we can gladly assist you in locating a good hotel or a resort there.

The trip has Breakfast in Nagarkot. We will have a pleasant breakfast at a place with a view in a local restaurant after observing the sunrise. You can order Nepali or western style foods like eggs, toast, fruit, aloo paratha (potato flatbread), or a bowl of noodle soup. This nutritious food will provide sufficient power to begin the hike.

Lunch is optional since the hike finishes by the early afternoon, although you may carry small items like energy bars, chocolate, or dried fruits. And we can have a tea stop or a little snack stop along the way. After we get back to Kathmandu, you can enjoy your little adventure with a good meal in one of the famous restaurants located in the city.

Altitude Sickness

We will stay much below the height where Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) usually happens, so there is less chance of having any problems. Nagarkot is at an altitude of about 2,175 m, which is well below the height (2,500–3,000 m) where altitude sickness usually begins. Actually, most of the time we descend in our trail and this enhances reduced risk even more.

Still, it’s good to be aware. Light headache or shortness of breath may also be experienced occasionally and this is mostly in the morning. In case of such, we will stop, walk at a slow pace, and drink water. We will descend shortly after sunrise, so any sort of discomfort will soon go away. To be comfortable and safe, we will advise you to drink a lot of water and to avoid alcohol before the night of the hike.

We have trained guides who will always take care of your health. There is very limited altitude sickness at this route and so all you need is relax and enjoy the Himalayan sunrise knowing that your safety is in good hands.

Permit & Cost

The Nagarkot Sunrise Hike will not require any special trekking permits, which is why it makes the hike one of the easiest and most pleasant short hikes in Kathmandu. In contrast to more lengthy hikes in Nepal, where TIMS cards or national park entry permits are mandatory, the hike follows open country and local villages beyond any restricted zones.

The only minimal cost one has to pay is the entry ticket to Changu Narayan Temple, part of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is only a few hundred Nepali rupees (equivalent to few US dollars). With Morning Star Treks, we would arrange this fee and pay it on your behalf, so you will never have to carry small change or get the permits yourself when you join this trip.

On the price, we will provide a full and open package of Nagarkot day hike. Prices can change depending on the group size or any customizations, thus we will provide a clear quotation before placing a booking. Overall, the price will cover personal transportation between Kathmandu and Nagarkot, an experienced English speaking guide, breakfast at Nagarkot, and all the mentioned entry fees.

Personal expenses like travel insurance, additional snacks or beverages and tips to your guide or driver are not included. We do not believe in any hidden costs as we believe in honesty and simplicity. Once you confirm your trip, you can simply relax and enjoy a day of beautiful scenery and culture and we will handle all the arrangements.

Best Time to Do This Hike

We can enjoy The Nagarkot Sunrise Hike all year round although spring and autumn are the best seasons. September to November is the season of autumn and is characterized by fresh blue skies, chilly winds and wonderful sunrise over the Himalayas. It is a good time to hike because the weather is pleasant and stable. Another beautiful season to visit is spring which is between March and May. The hills are fertile and green and wild flowers of all colors are growing along the foot paths making the scene even more beautiful during these months.

There is also the option of winter, when it is not that cold, in between December to February. In Nagarkot mornings may be chilly, although the weather is usually very clear. The benefit includes calm pathways and peaceful sunrise time when there are fewer people around. However, the least favorable time of this hike is during the summer monsoon period, between June and August. Leeches may also appear along the forested parts during this season, so it is good to carry insect repellent and wear long socks.

Even assuming that within monsoon is the only time that you have, we can still arrange the trip, but we will advise you to carry rain gears and to have realistic expectations as far as visibility is concerned. All in all, spring and autumn are the most appropriate to have clear and favorable weather whereas winter is good when you want to have a quieter experience.

Fitness and Preparation

Although Nagarkot Sunrise Hike is not difficult and can be completed by any beginner, a little preparation will make that experience even more pleasant. Before you travel, it is good to do a little exercise like walking, jogging, or climbing the stairs in the few weeks before your trip. This hike will not be a problem as long as you are able to walk at least one or two hours comfortably.

It is also wise to have the same shoes when practice walks that you will wear during the hike because they will break in and you will avoid blisters. This is a day hike, so you will not have to carry a lot. Essentials such as water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat can all fit in a small backpack. Early mornings may be cold in Nagarkot, and it becomes warmer in the morning when the sun comes up, and it is better to dress in layers.

A light jacket or fleece will help you be warmed up initially, and you can take it off as the temperature increases. Hiking shoes with good grip and comfortable fit are advisable since they can ease the downhill part. The path may also be dusty or muddy according to the season, hence dress in clothes which can be easily moved around.

We recommend taking a good night sleep and not taking heavy meals or alcohol the night before the hike. We will have to get up early in the morning to see sunrise, so rest is important. All logistics, transport, and guiding will be handled by our company, so you can just enjoy the experience. The Nagarkot Sunrise Hike is easy and fulfilling with a bit of preparation and a positive attitude.

Guide and Staff

In the Nagarkot sunrise hike, we will assist by professional and friendly local guides who will ensure that your visit is safe and enjoyable. We have licensed English speaking guides who have years of experience on leading hikes in Nagarkot and Kathmandu Valley region. They will lead the way, and tell you some interesting facts about the mountains and local culture, and ensure you feel at home at all times.

If you are curious about the mountains or the daily life in the villages, they will be happy to explain and share interesting stories with you. A trained private driver will also take care of all the transportation within Kathmandu and Nagarkot, along with the guide. Our private vehicles are comfortable and air-conditioned, driven safely by experienced drivers. We will make sure to reach the viewpoint in time to enjoy the sunrise and return safely afterward. Since this is only a one-day trip, we will not need porters.

Our team will work in the background to make sure everything runs smoothly. They will take care of things like booking the temple tickets, arranging breakfast, and handling any special requests you may have. At Morning Star Treks, our team ensures your trip runs smoothly and comfortably from start to finish.

Visa and Permit

The majority of visitors, other than the Indians, will require a tourist visa to Nepal. It is also a straightforward process that can be completed on arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport or at different land border crossings. A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity, one passport-size photo, and the visa fee will be required to acquire a visa on arrival.

Visa charges are currently around USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, and USD 125 for 90 days, but these are subject to change. You may fill in the visa form online prior to your trip or at the airport you can use the electronic machines. The entire procedure is simple and can be get within a couple of minutes. For the Nagarkot sunrise hike, no special trekking permits are required. You don’t need a TIMS card, national park entry, or any restricted area permit.

The only minor expense is the ticket to enter Changu Narayan Temple which will be approximately NPR 300 (around a couple of US dollars). We will do this on your trip, so you need not worry about this. There are no other documents/permits that one needs to acquire except your Nepal tourist visa to undertake this hike. You just need to relax, have fun and leave everything to us.

What to Expect on the Day

On the Nagarkot Sunrise Hike day, we will begin at very early in the morning at approximately 4:00 AM from your Kathmandu hotel. The Nagarkot drive is approximately one and a half hours up the quiet country mountain roads. When we hit the top of the hill, we will walk a little distance to the point of view to see the sunrise. We will take a local restaurant breakfast after admiring the scenic beauty and capturing photos and then start a hike to Changu Narayan.

It is a 4-5 hour walk that is mostly downhill with peaceful villages, farmlands, and woody trails. We will have short pauses in between to rest, chat, and admire the view. By afternoon, we will be at Changu Narayan Temple where we can view the old temple and get to know about its history before returning to Kathmandu. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing, scenic and culturally rich day with wonderful views, easy walking, and good local hospitality, a perfect short journey with the city.

Social responsibility and local experience

On the Nagarkot sunrise hike, we will use responsible travel practices that will show respect to nature, local culture, and communities. We will tell everybody to take care of the trails by walking softly, not littering the trails and supporting local businesses.

As we go through villages, we will treat people in a nice way, greet locals with ‘Namaste’ (palms together), and get to know how they live and what they do every day. This hike not only provides mountain scenery, but also opportunity to have a glimpse of the real Nepali hospitality and observe people residing in the hilly Nepali country side of Kathmandu.