Nagarkot Sunrise and Hike to Changunarayan Temple Day Tour

Q: Can I see Mount Everest from Nagarkot?

Yes, you can see Mount Everest from the Nagarkot Viewpoint Tower on very clear days. Early morning hikes offer the best visibility. Other peaks like Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, and Gaurishankar are also visible, but cloudy or rainy days reduce visibility significantly.

Q: Is photography allowed at Changunarayan Temple?

Yes, photography is allowed in most areas. Some inner shrines may restrict photos, so check for signs or ask temple staff. The temple area, sculptures, and Nagarkot offer perfect opportunities for landscape and cultural photography.

Q: Is the trail open year-round?

Yes, the trail is open throughout the year. The safest months are October to December and March to May for clear views. Monsoon season brings slippery paths and landslide risks. Winter mornings are cold but clear. Follow the order of guides and hike to this stop whenever you like.

Q: Are there any myths associated with Changunarayan Temple?

Yes, local legend says Vishnu appeared in the form of Narayan here to protect the valley. Some inscriptions narrate a battle between gods and demons. Ancient sculptures show these stories. You can see the Narsimha idol representing spiritual protection.

Q: Is there any health risk during the hike?

No, there are no health risks during this hike. Elevation gain is gradual. Carry water, snacks, sun protection, and wear full clothes because early morning can be cold. Your guide will instruct you and provide support whenever you need help.

Q: Are there any ancient water fountains along the Changunarayan trail?

Yes, you can see stone spouts called Dhunge Dharas in villages like Telkot and Tusal. These fountains were built hundreds of years ago and provide fresh water for locals. Some are decorated with carvings of mythical creatures like dragons, makaras sea monsters, and Garuda.

Q: Are local handicrafts available in villages?

Yes, in the Telkot and Changunarayan area, villagers sell small handicrafts like woven bags, bead necklaces, and metal charms. These items reflect Newar and Tamang craftsmanship. You can purchase products that support local families and hard work.

Max. Altitude

2,175m

Difficulty

EasyThe trip is easy and suitable for everyone, including children and older people. It does not require any skills in mountain climbing or traversing difficult terrain.

Best Season

All Season

Transportation

Private Vehicle

Start / End

Thamel/Thamel

Meals

N/A

Travel Duration

8Hours

If walking on a purpose means reaching a temple after sweating on a hill, then the Nagarkot Changunarayan hike is the perfect choice. This trek connects Nagarkot (a hilltop viewpoint) with the Changunarayan Temple, the oldest Hindu Temple in Nepal. It is a short and easy hike combined with nature, history, and culture in one journey.

From Nagarkot, the route offers views of the Himalayan peaks like Langtang Lirung (7,227M), Ganesh Himal (7,422M), Dorje Lakpa (6,966M), and, on clear days, even Mount Everest (8,848.86M). You’ll pass popular villages like Telkot and Tamulkharka Village with the views of the Indrawati River and Bhaktapur Valley.

No. of Persons	Price per Person
1 – 1	$95
2 – 2	$60
3 – 5	$58
6 – 20	$48

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Major Highlights of Nagarkot Sunrise and Hike to Changunarayan Temple Day Tour

Reach Nagarkot View Tower, where you can see the Himalayan ranges, including Mount Everest (on clear days), Langtang Lirung, and Dorje Lakpa.
Observe the ancient trails near Manohara River Valley, once used as trade routes connecting Nagarkot to the Kathmandu Valley.
Pass through traditional settlements near Mahadev Temple.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Changunarayan Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal, built in the 4th-5th century.
Step through the Nagarkot army barracks area, once used as a hilltop watch station during the Malla period.
Explore the Telkot village, known for its 300-year-old Newari-style houses.
Observe the Garuda statue at Changunarayan.
Finish your hike at Changunarayan Museum, where ancient coins, weapons, and manuscripts are stored.

Nagarkot Sunrise and Hike to Changunarayan Temple Day Tour at a Glance

Distance, walking time and high point for each day
Day	Itinerary	Distance / Time	Altitude
01	Kathmandu To Nagarkot, Trek Down To Changunarayan, And Back To Kathmanduroad transfer	63 km9 hrs	—N A
Totals		0.0 km0 hrs	0 m

Reviews from our Guests

From travellers who walked this exact itinerary.

5.0

★★★★★

Tripadvisor52 ReviewsGoogle44 Reviews

★★★★★

I live in Kathmandu and had never done this. Twenty minutes of driving and the air is different. We started at the viewpoint with the Himalaya on the horizon and walked down about three hours at an easy pace. Good for anyone with one spare day who wants out of the traffic without committing to a trek.

Sujata ManandharApril 2026

★★★★★

We drove up to Nagarkot early and walked down, which is the right direction to do it in. The path goes through pine and terraced fields and small villages, and Changunarayan at the bottom is genuinely old in a way that is hard to take in. The stone carvings around the temple are worth slowing down for. Barad knew the history and told it well without turning it into a lecture.

Rebecca AinsworthNovember 2025 · Guided by Barad Neupane

★★★★★

During the lunch break between Bhaktapur and Changunarayan, I tried the local dal bhat. It was simple, warm, and very tasty. The hills around made the meal even better. Sitting there and enjoying the view while eating was a small but very special part of the day.

Verified purchase

Juan CarlosSeptember 2025

★★★★★

Rebecca AinsworthNovember 2025 · Guided by Barad Neupane

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Nagarkot Sunrise and Hike to Changunarayan Temple Day Tour Day By Day Itinerary

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Itinerary Details
Itinerary Fact	Details
Time:	05:00-14:00
Travel Duration:	9Hours Approx.
Travel Distance:	63KM/39Mile
Highest Altitude:	N/A

Your 1-day Nagarkot Changunarayan hike starts with a scenic drive to Nagarkot from Kathmandu, about 32KM east and around 1-1.5Hours on the road. We will pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 AM and drive you to Nagarkot Hill. You will drive through Bhaktapur, the city famous for its rich culture, temples, and ancient wood, metal, and stone artwork.

You’ll reach Nagarkot View Tower (2,175M) at around 6:30 AM. Here, you’ll stand face-to-face with stunning mountain ranges, including Manaslu, Annapurna, Jugal, Rolwaling, and the Numbur Range, where you can see a breathtaking sunrise view. After witnessing such natural beauty, you’ll hike towards Changunarayan temple. You’ll cross Tusal and Telkot village, where you’ll see traditional Newar and Tamang houses. The hiking trail involves descending for 4-5Hours.

At Changunarayan Temple, you’ll explore the main temple dedicated to Lord Bishnu. You’ll see stone carvings of Garuda Vishnu, Sheshashayi Vishnu, and other Hindu deities on the temple walls. There’s also a large idol of Narsimha and smaller shrines for Shiva and other gods. After spending time at Changunarayan, you’ll drive back to Kathmandu by successfully completing your one-day hiking trip.

Itinerary Details
Itinerary Fact	Details
Meals:	N/A
Accommodation:	N/A

Nagarkot Sunrise and Hike to Changunarayan Temple Day Tour Included/ Excluded

Cost Includes

Cost Excludes

Transfer

Confirmable private vehicle for tour as per Group size and itinerary only.

International Airfare.

Support

English-speaking guide.

All entrance fees as per itinerary mentioned places.

Others

All internal taxes.
1Bottle/days of water during tour.

Tips for the crew member (it is expected).
Drinks and food during the tour.

Can I see Mount Everest from Nagarkot?

Is photography allowed at Changunarayan Temple?

Is the trail open year-round?

Are there any myths associated with Changunarayan Temple?

Is there any health risk during the hike?

Are there any ancient water fountains along the Changunarayan trail?

Are local handicrafts available in villages?

Nagarkot Sunrise and Hike to Changunarayan Temple Day Tour Information

Difficulty

Easy

Best Season

All Season

Weighing It Against the Alternatives

If you are still deciding, this is how Nagarkot Sunrise and Hike to Changunarayan Temple Day Tour sits against the trips people most often weigh it against — on days, distance, difficulty and cost.

This trip compared with the alternatives
Trip	Days / Distance	Difficulty	From
Nagarkot Sunrise and Hike to Changunarayan Temple Day Tourthis trip	1 days	Easy	$48
4 UNESCO Heritage Site Day Tour in Kathmandu	1 days	Easy	$32
Annapurna Base Camp Heli Tour	1 days	Medium	On request
Chandragiri and Monkey Temple Tour	1 days	Easy	$33
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour	1 days	Easy	$1,070

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Written by Mr. Barad Neupane, guiding in Nepal since 2014.

Amongst some of the oldest friends of Himalayan 360 is Mr Barad Neupane, who is a go-easy, down-to-earth cultural and religious guiding staff from its establishment. He is a very good and experienced guide and has a good history of knowledge of Religion, culture, and history of Nepal.

Last updated 6 May 2026

$48 per person

Himalayan360Everything there is to do in the Himalayas

AdventureTrek the Himalayas, fly over them at sunrise, land at base camp, drift across the lake at Pokhara
CulturalLearn Kathmandu’s temples, eat your way through the city, sit at a festival in Bhutan
SpiritualRoll out a yoga mat on the trail, walk to Muktinath, cross Tibet to Kailash

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