Bagmati · Nepal
Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot
Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Durbar Squares, and a Himalayan sunrise from Nagarkot.
Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot is an easy pilgrimage in Bagmati, Nepal, reaching 2,175 m. The best time to go is February to April and October to December. Plan 3 to 4 days on the ground from Kathmandu and about ₹3,000 per person per day.
What to do in Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot
The one thing not to miss
Boudhanath
Walk the stupa clockwise with the evening crowd.
- 2SwayambhunathThe hilltop stupa west of the city.
- 3PashupatinathThe temple and ghats on the Bagmati.
- 4Nagarkot at sunriseThe Himalayan line from Langtang eastward.
A sample plan: 4 days
Day 1
Kathmandu to Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot
About 20–40 minutes on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
Boudhanath · Swayambhunath
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Pashupatinath · Nagarkot at sunrise
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 4
Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot to Kathmandu
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
A spiritual and cultural trip that works for parents and grandparents.
Why not
City traffic and dust; the mountains are a view, not an experience.
Before you go
- Permits
- Indian citizens: passport or voter ID; no visa needed. Heritage-site entry fees apply.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Air quality is poor in winter mornings.
- Phone & internet
- Excellent.
Permits, food and festivals in Nepal →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: Tourist Police, Kathmandu, Kathmandu.
All emergency contacts for Nepal →What to pack for Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
4 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
1 item
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
4 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 The sun burns faster in the hills than in the plains.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
Documents and money
4 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesIndians need a passport or voter ID to enter Nepal; other nationals need a passport and visa.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsIndian citizens: passport or voter ID; no visa needed. Heritage-site entry fees apply.
- Indian ₹100 notes, or Nepali rupees₹100 notes are the safest Indian currency to carry in Nepal; larger notes are not always accepted. Change money in Kathmandu or Pokhara before the trail.
Phone and power
3 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereExcellent.
- Universal travel adapter Nepal's sockets differ from India's in many lodges.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Nepal Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Kathmandu.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it.
By road
From
Kathmandu airport
- Distance
- about 6 km
- Drive time
- 20–40 minutes
- Airport
- Thamel
From
Kathmandu
- Distance
- about 32 km
- Drive time
- about 1.5 hours
- Kathmandu
- Bhaktapur
- Nagarkot
From
Sunauli border
- Distance
- about 265 km
- Drive time
- 8–9 hours
- Sunauli
- Butwal
- Narayanghat
- Mugling
- Kathmandu
Buses and shared taxis. Fly to Kathmandu, or cross by road from India at Sunauli (for Pokhara and Lumbini), Raxaul–Birgunj (for Kathmandu) or Kakarbhitta (for the east).
Pickups & drivers
From Kathmandu. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot?
The best months for Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot are February to April and October to December. January, May and September are possible but not ideal. Snow is rare here.
How difficult is Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot?
Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 1,400 m and reaching 2,175 m.
How many days do you need for Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot?
Plan 3 to 4 days on the ground, counted from Kathmandu. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot cost?
Expect about ₹3,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹12,000 for 4 days, before the cost of getting to Kathmandu.
How do you reach Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot?
By road: from Kathmandu airport it is about 6 km, 20–40 minutes (Airport → Thamel); from Kathmandu it is about 32 km, about 1.5 hours (Kathmandu → Bhaktapur → Nagarkot); from Sunauli border it is about 265 km, 8–9 hours (Sunauli → Butwal → Narayanghat → Mugling → Kathmandu). Fly to Kathmandu, or cross by road from India at Sunauli (for Pokhara and Lumbini), Raxaul–Birgunj (for Kathmandu) or Kakarbhitta (for the east). The nearest gateway is Kathmandu.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot?
Permits: Indian citizens: passport or voter ID; no visa needed. Heritage-site entry fees apply. Guide: Not needed.
Is Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is great; with seniors it is great. It is busy in season. Air quality is poor in winter mornings.
What should you pack for Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot?
Pack fleece or light sweater, sun cap or hat, compact umbrella, rain jacket or poncho, comfortable walking shoes with grip, day pack, 20–30 litres, water bottles, 2 litres in total, sunscreen, spf 50, small first-aid kit and your own medicines. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot?
Excellent.
Who should not go to Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot?
Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: City traffic and dust; the mountains are a view, not an experience.
Close to Kathmandu Valley & Nagarkot
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Bhaktapur & Patanabout 12 km
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