- 4:30 AM: Start early in the morning and drive from Kathmandu to Nagarkot (around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic)
- 5:15 AM-6 AM: Enjoy the studding sunrise view over the Himalayas.
- 6:30 AM-8 AM: Morning breakfast at Nagarkot, enjoying the vistas of the Himalayas
- 8:30 AM: Begin the hike from Nagarkot, following the trail towards Changunarayan Temple.
- 11:30 AM-2 PM: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Changunarayan Temple and explore its ancient architecture and cultural significance.
- After 2 PM: Have a full tummy launch while enjoying the art and architecture of the oldest city in Nepal.
- Around 2:30 PM-3 PM: Drive back to Kathmandu (around 1 hour)
4:30 AM: Morning drive from Kathmandu to Nagarkot (around 1.5 to 2 hours), Sunrise view from Nagarkot
Today, as you wake up super early, refresh yourself in Kathmandu. After breakfast, pack your bags and get ready to leave the hotel. A private vehicle accompanied by a tour guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you on a scenic drive to Nagarkot. The drive to Nagarkot hilltop (2,175 meters) will take about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Upon reaching Nagarkot's hilltop station, enjoy the view of the sun rising slowly above the horizon. The Nagarkot hill station is a perfect place to enjoy the sunrise view as you will see the sunrays portraying red and pink hues in the snow-capped mountains, including Mount Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang range. Similarly, you can also witness other mesmerizing peaks, including Jugal Himal, Gaurishankar, Dorje Lakpa, Shisapangma, Hiunchuli, and Gyaltzen peaks from the top hill of Nagarkot.
After quality time in Nagarkot, take a short tea break while enjoying the panoramic view. Then, when you feel like leaving, get in the vehicle, which will direct you to a splendid hotel in Nagarkot for breakfast. So, you will get a chance to enjoy a delicious breakfast at the backdrop of snow-capped peaks.
8:30 AM: Begin the hike from Nagarkot, following the trail towards Changunarayan Temple.
After breakfast, prepare for the hike to Changunarayan Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 12 kilometers away. It will take approximately 5-6 hours to cover the distance and reach the sacred site of Changunarayan. Changunarayan Temple is supposedly the oldest temple in Nepal, and it provides an opportunity to glimpse the rich cultural heritage of Kathmandu Valley.
The day hike to Changunarayan temple begins with a transition from the urban area of Kathmandu to the countryside. Terraced fields, crisp air, and traditional villages with maximum hospitality will welcome you. Likewise, to reach the prestigious Changunarayan, you will walk through some forested areas along the uphill stone steps, passing through numerous villages between the routes. The hike can be tiring, so rest and hydrate your body.
11:30 AM-2:00 PM: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Changunarayan
As you reach the Changunarayan premise, begin the exploration of the main temple. You can see the two-storied main temple, which is estimated to have been built around the 4th century AD. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one of three Hindu principal deities. Similarly, the traditional Nepalese architecture-built temple is surrounded by many sculptures and art related to Lord Vishnu. Similarly, other temples of Lord Shiva, Ashta Matrika, Chhinnamasta, Kileshwor, and Krishna are inside the temple courtyard. Some of the popular attractions of Changunarayan are as follows:
- Changunarayan Historical Pillar: One of the oldest inscriptions of Nepal is encrypted in the Changunarayan pillar. King Mandeva made the Pillar of the Lichhavi dynasty around 464-505 AD.
- Garuda: A statue of Garuda is located in the temple. Garuda is Lord Vishnu's flying vehicle with a human face.
- Chanda Narayan: It is also known as Garuda Narayan, and it is represented by a stone sculpture of Vishnu riding on Garuda. It dates back to the 7th century.
- Sridhar Vishnu is a 9th-century stone sculpture of Vishnu, Laxima, and Garuda.
- Vaikuntha Vishnu: It is a 16th-century sculpture of Vishnu seated in the Lalitasan position. The sculpture portrays six armed Garuda and goddess Laxmi sitting on the lap of Lord Vishnu.
- Chhinnamasta: the temple of Chhinnamasta is dedicated to Chhinnamasta Devi, who beheaded herself to offer her blood for hungry Dakini and Varnini.
- Vishworup: The 7th-century stone sculpture of Vishworup portrays the scene from Bhagwat Gita where Lord Krishna manifests his universal form to his devotee Arjun.
- Narsimha: The 7th-century stone sculpture of Narsimha portrays the killing of demon king Hiranyakasyap to save his beloved devotee Prahalad.
After 2 PM: Have a full tummy launch while enjoying the art and architecture of the oldest city in Nepal.
With quality time in Changunarayan, get ready to have a fulfilling lunch. After lunch, you will leave the Changunarayan area and return to Kathmandu. The return journey will mark the end of the Nagarkot Sunrise and Hike to Changunarayan: 1 Day with Nepal Trekking Planner.
Around 2:30 PM-3 PM: Drive back to Kathmandu (around 1 hour) and farewell
At around 2:30 to 3 PM, you will return to Kathmandu in a private vehicle. The drive towards Kathmandu will take about one hour. Along the journey, you will feel the transition from the rural area to the city surroundings. If required, your vehicle will drop you to your hotel or any other destination. Then, our representative will bid you farewell. We hope to assist you again for further tours and see you soon. Until then, best of luck in your future endeavors.
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