Nagarkot, located 30 km to the east of Kathmandu on the valley rim, Nagarkot is the favorite weekend getaway for those who seek Himalayan scenery and rural serenity.
The View
Nagarkot is situated at an elevation of 2,175 m and provides a grandstand panorama of the Himalaya. You can see five of the world’s 10 tallest mountains - Everest (8,848 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Cho Oyu (8,201 m), Makalu (8,463 m) and Manaslu (8,163 m) - and many other lesser summits. The snow peaks look especially gorgeous during sunset and sunrise.
Activities
Surrounded by terraced hillsides and picturesque farm houses, the hilltop resort is the epitome of an idyllic escape - with only the wind and the sound of rustling leaves to disturb you. Bird watching is a joy in the forests here. Short hiking options abound. The most popular walk leads down from Nagarkot along a ridge to the temple of Changu Narayan - with views of Sankhu village to the right and Bhaktapur to the left. Another preferred trail leads south from Nagarkot to Nala and Banepa on the highway to Tibet.
Kakani
Kakani (elevation 1,982 m) lies 23 km to the northwest of Kathmandu. It is a less crowded and more pristine destination which provides excellent mountain views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang and the Annapurnas. The offerings of nature provide the impetus to visit Kakani, and nature lovers will hail the close-up view of Ganesh Himal to the north, as well as the beautiful oak and rhododendron forests on the south slope leading down to Balaju.
Daman
Daman (elevation 2,400 m) is the place to go for those seeking the ultimate pan-Himalayan view and willing to travel the extra distance to find it. Located 75 km to the southwest of the Kathmandu Valley on the highway to India, Daman offers the only unimpeded view of the entire Himalayan range, a sight guaranteed to leave the early riser spellbound for days to come.
Nagarkot, located 30 km to the east of Kathmandu on the valley rim, Nagarkot is the favorite weekend getaway for those who seek Himalayan scenery and rural serenity.
Kakani (elevation 1,982 m) lies 23 km to the northwest of Kathmandu. It is a less crowded and more pristine destination which provides excellent mountain views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang and the Annapurnas. The offerings of nature provide the impetus to visit Kakani, and nature lovers will hail the close-up view of Ganesh Himal to the north, as well as the beautiful oak and rhododendron forests on the south slope leading down to Balaju.
Daman (elevation 2,400 m) is the place to go for those seeking the ultimate pan-Himalayan view and willing to travel the extra distance to find it. Located 75 km to the southwest of the Kathmandu Valley on the highway to India, Daman offers the only unimpeded view of the entire Himalayan range, a sight guaranteed to leave the early riser spellbound for days to come. 
