Sunrise & Sunsets

The name Nepal conjures up visions of the Himalayas. When we talk about sunrise or sunset viewing in Nepal, it is usually understood you go where there are mountains to gaze at. There are countless hilltops where you can wait for the early morning sun to light up the snowy peaks or the setting sun to display a palette of changing hues from yellow to pink and red. The dazzling shower of color can be viewed from the surrounding mountains of Kathmandu valley. Some of the popular scenic destinations are:

Nagarkot

Nagarkot at 2,175m is the first place tourists get to hear about when in Kathmandu. With a view of five of the top ten mountains in the world Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Manaslu, it is the favourite mountain-view destination. Besides these there are countless other peaks lining the horizon to give you a fabulous panoramic view. As if this is not enough the view at sunrise or sunset can be truly awe inspiring. It lies 30 km east of Kathmandu, high on the surrounding mountains of the valley. It is best to drive by car but there are also buses going up to Nagarkot. The trip can be combined with a stop at Bhaktapur as the major road goes by this old city. A few nights stay at this hill resort can also be rewarding, as there are many resorts and no shortage of activities to keep you busy. In Nepal trekking is the major tourist attraction. You can walk about the hills - go bird watching - go mountain biking, which is an excellent way to see the surrounding hills and mountains. It is also possible to trek down to the famous 5th century Lichhavi era temple of Changu Narayan. This is the oldest temple in the valley and lies close to Bhaktapur. Around Bhaktapur and Changu are interesting old towns that once lay along the Tibet trade route. They are Banepa and Sankhu. An excursion can also be made to mysterious Nala.

Dhulikhel

Dhulikhel another popular destination for mountain viewing and spectacular sunrise or sunsets, is 32km east of Kathmandu. This is an old Newari town that once served as a trading center between Kathmandu and Lhasa. At 1,440m this little town is the viewing point for Himalayan peaks like Annapurna, Ganesh, Phurbi Chyachu, Langtang, Gauri Shanker and Lhotse. Besides views, the rich cultural heritage is worth checking out. The old pagoda style temples, narrow streets and brick houses retain what Kathmandu has lost with modernization and concrete buildings. Enjoy a stroll through the tiny lanes with children running about and women going about their daily chores. This is life in rural Nepal.

Outside Kathmandu Valley:  Antu Danda

In Ilam district in eastern Nepal, Antu Danda is known for its unmatched views of Mt Everest and Mt Kanchenjunga, the highest and the third highest mountains in the world. It is famous for sunrise and sunset viewing. A motor road goes up to Chhipitar from where you can easily walk to Antu Danda.