How to Spend a Day in Nagarkot, Nepal

It was a long haul from Pokhara valley to the hilltop of Nagarkot. We spent the whole day on the road and we arrived at the hotel past 7 in the evening after getting caught in traffic in Kathmandu. Nagarkot is situated just 32 kilometers east of Kathmandu and it took us more than 2 hours to reach the hotel from Thamel area. We drove in the night passing through rugged, zigzag road without street lights. Thanks to our driver; we arrived at the hotel safely.

We stayed the night at the Fort Resort where we were welcomed gladly with a glass of orange juice. The hotel has a distinct character designed in an old-fashioned style. A long, wooden staircase directed us towards the receiving area. It was spacious and just in front of it is the dining hall. As dinner was not yet ready to be served, we were ushered to our room. We climbed a few steps to the second floor and walked towards the far corner where our room was. It is not the usual hotel room with a single door that could be opened by twisting the knob. It is more of a house with a double door secured with a big padlock. When the door was opened and the lights were switched on, I was surprised with how big the room was. It is huge with wide windows on every corner. I love the way they arranged the pieces of furniture and decorated the entire room with a touch of classic vintage.

When I saw the bed, it looked so comfy that I just felt like falling asleep but my hungry stomach said I must go down the dining area. Dinner was served as soon as we sat down the table. It was tasty and satisfying especially when a cup of tea was handed after.

It was indeed a long, tiring day and the night was cold that I immediately fell asleep the moment I lie down the bed. I intended not to set my alarm clock only to find out that there was a wake-up call at 5:30 am. I was awakened by a continuous knock on the door. I listened intently trying to convince myself that it was not ours until the knocking continued. I jumped out of the bed and dressed up. It was time to view the sunrise! Nagarkot is popular for the panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges not to mention Mount Everest. This is the very reason why I wanted to visit this place –holding on for that slim chance to see it even from a distance. I walked out of the room, passed along the balcony and had a seat on the garden.

A thick blanket of fog covered the surroundings that my eyes could only see what was close. The mountains were barely visible but the morning was still beautiful. I let go of my desire to catch a glimpse of the Himalayan peaks, at least for that day. But I took every chance to enjoy the morning light from the terrace of the hotel.

There is something about sunrise that soothes my spirit and tunes up my emotions. It is the best time to contemplate and gather my thoughts. I stayed for a long time at the rooftop terrace watching the clouds move and transform. I waited for the sun to peek out of the clouds until I realized that it was time to go down for a hearty breakfast.

We checked out of the hotel shortly after doing my morning routine. Then we started driving towards our next destination, but we get off the car halfway down to hike for an hour and a half. Anyway, we traveled a long time just to get to Nagarkot so it would be better off if we make the most of it. Hiking is perhaps the best way to explore its natural beauty and discover the typical life in the suburbs of Nepal. We walked past the small villages and looked closely at how people live their lives. They mostly rely on growing crops and raising livestock for their livelihood. Though others started to indulge in small businesses like food shops and lodge rooms for tourists.

The proximity of Nagarkot to Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, makes it easier for people to escape from the city’s noise and chaos. Whether you choose to trek up and down the slope or just stay on the terrace of the hotel, guests could surely take a breath of fresh air and take pleasure from the serene surroundings. Above all, Nagarkot leaves their visitors mesmerized by its landscapes, especially when the skies are clear and the mountains are visible. See Day 7 –  Bhaktapur Durbar Square