Nagarkot

Nagarkot is a hill station on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley, about 32 km from the capital, and the classic place near Kathmandu to watch the sun rise over the Himalaya. It sits at roughly 2,000 metres and began as an ancient fort used to watch the activities of neighbouring kingdoms. It later became a summer retreat for the royal family before turning into a hill station for international visitors.

The view is the reason to come. On clear days the ridge looks out across several Himalayan ranges, including Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Jugal, Rolwaling and the Everest range, and Everest itself can be seen in good conditions. Visitors watch sunrise and sunset from their hotel terraces or from the popular view tower on the ridge. In all, eight of Nepal's thirteen Himalayan ranges are said to be visible. The driest months are November to January, while July and August are the wettest, when cloud often hides the peaks.

Staying overnight gives you both the sunset and the sunrise, which is why the Nepal Tourism Board suggests spending a night on the hill. There are several large hotels, including five-star properties, and camping is another option. During the day, walking the nearby hills gives better viewpoints, and the area suits hikers, nature lovers and mountain bikers. The Nagarkot eco trail and the panoramic hiking trail are the most popular walks, and paragliding is also offered.

One good route is the hike down to Changu Narayan, the ancient Vishnu temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site, which the tourism board describes as a short hike from the village. Many visitors also combine Nagarkot with Bhaktapur, which lies on the way from Kathmandu. If you want an alternative, the tourism board also suggests Dhulikhel, about an hour's drive east of Kathmandu with views that include the Langtang range, and Hattiban, south of Bhaktapur, where the horizon stretches from the Annapurna massif to the Jugal range.

Nagarkot suits couples, photographers and anyone wanting a night out of the city air, as well as families looking for gentle walks. Allow a full day and a night, or set off before dawn by car if you only want the sunrise.