• Nagarkot View Tower - This day trip begins at your hotel. You will be picked up early before sunrise and driven to Nagarkot, a picturesque hill station renowned for its sunrise and sunset views. Experience a breathtaking dawn from a famous vantage point in the Kathmandu area. The journey takes you through local lands filled with farms and forests until you reach the Nagarkot viewpoint. Be captivated by the panoramic view as the sun rises from behind the snowy Himalayas. The color transition from reddish-orange to snowy white is sure to delight your soul. You will see mountain ranges such as Annapurna, Mt. Everest, Dhaulagiri, and many more. After this moment, you will proceed to the next destination of the day.
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square - Your next stop will be Bhaktapur City, also known as “the City of Devotees,” reached by vehicle. This remarkable city retains many traditional houses and buildings. From the entrance to the exit, you will encounter numerous fascinating and artistic structures. This ancient town is predominantly inhabited by the indigenous Newari people. Visit this area to experience Nepali culture, tradition, and religion authentically. The main attractions include artistic pillars with statues of ancient kings, decorative entrance gates, the 55-window palace, and the Nyatapola temple located in the central Royal Square of Bhaktapur. Don’t forget to try the local cuisine and curd before leaving.
• Nyatapola Temple - Nyatapola Temple is a pagoda-style temple with five levels of roofing. This beautifully sculpted building is considered one of the tallest pagodas and is a stunning example of the high artistry involved in such constructions. The five-story temple with a five-tier roof stands over thirty meters high and can be accessed by walking up a flight of steps leading to the top of the platform. As you ascend these terraces, you will notice statues on either side of you at each step.
• Dattatreya Temple - Located in Dattatreya Square in Bhaktapur, the Dattatreya Temple is believed to be constructed from a single tree’s stem. The unique feature of the temple is that it does not house the statue of Dattatreya as traditionally expected. Instead of a single body with three heads, there are three idols of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva on the left, middle, and right, respectively. A large tree stands behind these idols.
• 55 Window Palace - The Palace of Fifty-Five Windows is one of the most beautiful architectural highlights of the durbar square. It is named the Palace of Fifty-Five Windows because it features fifty-five carved wooden windows on its facade. The palace is built around several interconnected inner courtyards. Originally, there were 99 courtyards, but only nine remain today. Another remarkable feature of this palace is the main entrance gate, known as “The Golden Gate,” adorned with gold-plated embossed metalwork. It leads to the first courtyard of the palace.
• Siddha Pokhari - Siddha Pokhari is a charming man-made pond located near the first city gate in Bhaktapur. It is 171 meters long and 3 meters deep, making it a popular hangout spot for many people. After visiting Bhaktapur Durbar Square, you will move on to another famous square in the Kathmandu valley.
• Patan Durbar Square - Patan Durbar Square is situated in the town of Lalitpur. It is filled with Newari architecture and the local Newar community. It is the courtyard of the old Malla palace. Approaching from the south, you will see the square on the right and a collection of temples on the left. The square is layered with red bricks on the ground. Patan Durbar Square is divided into three courtyards, which you will visit one by one. The first palace building is the Sundari Chowk, the first courtyard, filled with stone architecture and statues of deities like Hanuman, Ganesh, and Nara Singha (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu). Then comes the Mul Chowk, the intermediate section of the royal palace, which is well-guarded due to past thefts of sculptures and statues. Finally, the third and final courtyard houses the museum of Durbar Square, known as Keshav Narayan Chowk.
• Durbar (Central) Square - Moving on to the main square, you will be amazed by the exquisite stone artistry of Krishna Temple in the area. The temple is entirely made of stones. You will find 21 shrines in the temple and carvings related to the Ramayana and Mahabharat. In the same lane as Krishna Temple, there is a large bell near the side of Durbar Square. Another attraction is the Shankar Narayan Temple, featuring statues of kneeling elephants. You will find large sculptures of animals like lions at the entrance gates in most places. If you’re hungry or thirsty, grab a bite to eat at the eateries around the area, with many places to shop nearby. Other notable structures in Durbar Square include Mahaboudha, Rudra Varna Mahavihar, and Machhendranath Temple in the south.
• Patan Museum - Continuing forward, you will enter Keshav Narayan Chowk, which has been transformed into the Patan Museum. Here, you can learn about the culture and history, particularly about ancient civilization. It is a lovely, peaceful place to relax, featuring various Buddhist, Tantric, and Hindu artifacts. The museum offers a cozy environment with many indoor architectures and exhibits.
• Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar) - You will also visit the Golden Temple in the north. Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, known as the Golden Temple, is a 12th-century temple. You will see silver and gold-covered decorations and bronze statues in the temple. It is a pagoda-style temple with a golden image of Lord Buddha and a large prayer wheel in the upper layer of the temple.
• Krishna Temple - The Krishna Temple is built in the Shikhara style. This temple is entirely constructed of stones. Beneath its 21 golden pinnacles are three floors. The first floor enshrines Krishna, the second Shiva, and the third Lokeshwor. Scenes from the Ramayana, narrated in the Newari script, adorn the interior of the temple.

• Hotel pickup and drop-off (Inside Ring Road)
• Professional tour guide
• Transport by private vehicle

• Food and Drinks
• Gratuities
• Entry Fee (~USD 20-22 PP)

Witnessing the first light of the sun rising over the Himalayas is truly a delightful experience to begin the day. This thrilling Best Nagarkot Sunrise and Durbar Square tour offers a full day in the Kathmandu Valley. Revel in the stunning hues of red, orange, and white, while also delving into the rich Nepali traditions, culture, architecture, and religion during this day trip to Nagarkot and the Royal Squares. Marvel at the breathtaking panoramic mountain views before exploring the vibrant history and culture of the Kathmandu Valley. Visit two of the renowned Durbar Squares: Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square. Enjoy a full day from dawn to dusk, immersing yourself in the splendor that the Best Nagarkot Sunrise and Durbar Square Tour provides.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.