Day Trip · Sunrise

Kathmandu to Nagarkot Car Hire

Sunrise over Mount Everest and 13 Himalayan peaks — driver picks you up at 4:30 AM and has you back in Kathmandu by breakfast. Sedan NPR 4,000 · SUV NPR 6,000. Driver, fuel & return included.

Distance32 km
Drive time~1.5 hours
Pickup time4:30 AM (sunrise)
Sedan (return)NPR 4,000
Rates

Kathmandu to Nagarkot car hire price

VehiclePassengersDay trip (return)One way onlyOvernight stay
Sedan (Toyota Corolla)Up to 4NPR 4,000NPR 2,500NPR 6,500 (2 days)
SUV (Mahindra Scorpio)Up to 6NPR 6,000NPR 3,800NPR 9,500 (2 days)
Hiace VanUp to 10NPR 8,000NPR 5,000NPR 13,000 (2 days)

All rates include driver, fuel, return journey · Driver overnight allowance NPR 1,500 if staying overnight · 4:30 AM early pickup at no surcharge

Best season for Nagarkot: October–November (post-monsoon, crystal clear views) and March–April (spring, Himalayan peaks crisp in morning light). Avoid June–August (monsoon cloud cover).

The experience

What makes Nagarkot sunrise special

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Himalayan sunrise

From 2,175 m, watch dawn light hit Everest (8,849 m), Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and 13 other peaks. One of Nepal's great views.

4:30 AM pickup

Your driver picks you up from your Kathmandu hotel at 4:30 AM. No extra charge for the early start.

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Best viewpoints

Your driver knows the best sunrise spots beyond the crowded tower — quieter viewpoints with unobstructed Himalayan panoramas.

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Back for breakfast

Sunrise at ~6 AM, drive back to Kathmandu — back at your hotel by 9–10 AM. Full day ahead for other activities.

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Overnight option

Stay overnight for both sunset AND sunrise. Many resorts in Nagarkot have Himalayan-facing rooms. Driver stays and brings you back next morning.

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Add Bhaktapur

Nagarkot is 19 km from Bhaktapur. Combine both — sunrise at Nagarkot, then Bhaktapur Durbar Square on the way back. One trip, two UNESCO sites.

FAQ

Nagarkot trip questions

What time does sunrise happen at Nagarkot?
Sunrise time varies by season — roughly 6:00 AM in summer (June–August) and 6:45 AM in winter (December–January). We adjust pickup time accordingly. A 4:30 AM departure from Kathmandu gives you time to settle at the viewpoint before first light.
Can I see Everest from Nagarkot?
Yes — on a clear day. The best months are October–November and March–April. During the monsoon (June–August), cloud cover often blocks the peaks. Your driver will know whether conditions look good based on the previous evening's weather.
Is the road to Nagarkot safe at night?
Yes. The road from Kathmandu to Nagarkot (via Bhaktapur) is well-used and our drivers make this run frequently, including early-morning departures. We use vehicles with good headlights and our drivers know every turn.
Can I combine Nagarkot with Bhaktapur?
Yes. The most popular combination: sunrise at Nagarkot, then stop at Bhaktapur Durbar Square on the return to Kathmandu (~30 min detour). Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites — one driver, one trip, same fixed price.

Book the Nagarkot sunrise trip

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