Route · Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu to Nagarkot
Nagarkot is about 32 km east of Kathmandu, a 1.5 hour drive via Bhaktapur, with the last 20 km climbing hairpin bends through pine forest. Most travellers go by private car and stop at Bhaktapur or Changunarayan on the way, arriving in time for sunset.
The usual way. The road runs east to Bhaktapur, then climbs through Kamal Binayak and Telkot to the Nagarkot ridge. It is paved but winding, with buses and trucks on the bends. A car lets you stop at Bhaktapur for lunch or detour to Changunarayan, and reach Nagarkot by mid-afternoon. Hotel transfers can be arranged.
Take a bus from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur, then change at the Kamal Binayak stop for a bus up to Nagarkot, about an hour more. Buses are crowded, slow and infrequent later in the day, so leave Kathmandu by early afternoon. The bus drops you on the main road; some hotels are a walk or short taxi ride away.
Fit walkers can hike up from Bhaktapur via Changunarayan and Telkot, climbing about 800 m through villages and forest. It is a full day, best started early with a guide and with luggage sent ahead by car. Most people prefer to walk the route downhill the next morning after sunrise.
Worth a stop on the way
- Bhaktapur old town
- Changunarayan (detour)
- Telkot village
Local tip
Aim to reach Nagarkot by 4 pm so you can settle in before sunset, then be up by 5.30 am for sunrise.
Questions
How long does it take to get from Kathmandu to Nagarkot?
About 1.5 hours by private car for the 32 km, longer in heavy traffic. By local bus, with a change in Bhaktapur, allow 2 to 2.5 hours. The last part of the road climbs steeply through hairpin bends, so allow extra time if you suffer from motion sickness.
What is the best way to go from Kathmandu to Nagarkot?
A private car with driver is easiest. It lets you stop at Bhaktapur or Changunarayan on the way and arrive in time for sunset. For the return, consider walking down to Changunarayan and Bhaktapur, then meeting the car there.
Is the road to Nagarkot safe?
The road is paved and used daily by buses and cars, but it is narrow and winding near the top, with steep drops in places. Experienced local drivers handle it well. In monsoon months, landslides can occasionally slow traffic. Check current status before you travel.
Can I visit Nagarkot as a day trip from Kathmandu?
You can, but you will miss sunrise, the main reason to go, and midday views are often hazy. If you must, combine it with Bhaktapur and aim to reach the ridge by late afternoon for sunset. An overnight stay is much better.