Nagarkot vs Dhulikhel: Where Should You Go This New Year?
As Nepali New Year's is around the corner, many individuals are looking for a quiet spot to spend time. Some people want to party and some people want to get away from the extremely busy streets, choking pollution, and overpowering noise of Kathmandu. They want to go into a nice, peaceful hillside which will be one of the best ways to start a new you.
Fortunately, In Nepal there are several amazing hillside towns close to Kathmandu that provide you with some of the most beautiful views of the Himalayas, peaceful environments, and memorable traveling experiences.
Tth two of the most best locations for a short New Year's visit are Nagarkot and Dhulikhel. They are only short drives away from the capital (Kathmandu) and offer incredible mountain views, as well as many comfortable hotels and scenic surroundings. Even though there are a few differences between the two locations, both are outstanding locations to spend the New Year in nature and enjoy the magnificent sights of the Himalayas.
Here is a closer look at what makes Nagarkot and Dhulikhel such great holiday Getaway locations.
Nagarkot (Famous for Himalayan Sunrises)
A Scenic Escape Close to Kathmandu
Nagarkot is one of the most renowned hill stations situated close to Kathmandu. Located at a distance approximately 32 km from the capital city of Nepal, Nagarkot has an elevation of about 2,175 m above sea level. Due to its elevation and the number of open view points available, it offers some of the most scenic views of the Himalayas.
Visitors come to visit Nagarkot year round, but during holiday periods and New Year's celebrations, there is an influx of visitors. People who come to Nagarkot are looking for a peaceful place to relax and reflect at the beginning of a new year; they are able to find this in the refreshing air, tranquil surroundings, and expansive views. On clear days, visitors may also be able to see many miles of the Himalayan mountain range, including peaks in the Mount Everest region. One of the most memorable experiences available to visitors to Nagarkot is simply being able to watch the sun rise on the mountain.
Sunrise Viewings Are A Big Attraction For People
Seeing the sunrise over the Himalayan mountains, it is one of the major attractions for all who visit Nagarkot. Most visitors get up before sunrise, to either go to a vantage point or to view the mountains from the hotel terrace as the sun slowly rises over the horizon.
As the sun rises over the Himalayas, the snowy peaks of the Himalayas are lit up in pink, orange and gold colours. This peaceful calm along with the beautiful scenery provides an unforgettable experience for any visitor to this area. Many people believe this is one of the most stunning natural views in Nepal.
For many people who are celebrating New Year’s Eve in agreement, placing their gratitude for this first sunrise of the New Year into the sky over the Himalayas.
Nagarkot View Tower: The Ultimate Viewing Experience!
The Nagarkot View Tower is perhaps the best place for you to admire the beauty of these panoramic views of all surrounding mountains and hills. From the topmost vantage point of the tower, you can see a layering of lush green hills with deep valleys in between, then way off into the distance you can see distant white peaks of snow-capped mountains. Visitors are encouraged to visit the tower for both sun-up and sun-down as the sun will create new and thrilling light patterns that change the scenes making them better suited for photo taking.
Just about every traveler that comes to Nagarkot will visit this site during their stay to "take in" the surrounding views of the Himalayas.
Fantastic Nature Walks and Hiking Trails
Nagarkot is not just about having great scenic views of the areas around; it is also a fantastic place to hike and take nature walks. The hills surrounding Nagarkot are full of forests, numerous traditional villages with their culture alive and well, and quiet-paced trails that give all those who walk them an opportunity to reflect how beautiful the nature around Nagarkot is.
A very popular hiking trail is the one that runs from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan Temple. This hiking trail allows visitors to experience some incredibly beautiful countryside while simultaneously walking to one of the oldest temples in Nepal listed on the UNESCO World Heritage register. Walking through all that beautiful nature along with being able to witness the rich cultural heritage of the different people makes hiking in Nagarkot a very rewarding experience for those that do hike.
Comfortable Resorts and Mountain-View Hotels
There are many hotels and resorts in Nagarkot that give you the chance to see the mountains from your hotel room, most have either a balcony or a terrace so you can enjoy some amazing views of the Himalayas while you are resting on your bed.
Many hotels have large group dinners, entertainment like music and fire pits, and other exciting holiday celebrations where visitors will have a great time celebrating the holidays together as they enjoy the mountain views. You start your new year off so tranquil with all the mountains covered with a blanket of snow and the valleys filled with fog, you can't help but feel at peace for the upcoming year.
Dhulikhel
Beauty of Dhulikhel
Dhulikhel is yet another beautiful destination from Kathmandu located on the Arniko highway only about 30 km away from Kathmandu. This town is located at approximately 1550 m above sea level and has a great history of being a very peaceful place to visit with a long history of incredible mountain views surrounding this hill town.
Unlike a number of hill stations throughout the world, which can be heavily tourism oriented, Dhulikhel still possesses a great deal of its original character and identity. For centuries, it has worked as one of the major commercial trade routes between Nepal and Tibet, and has remained one of the richest areas in Nepal culturally, with many remnants of this rich past still evident today.
Visitors to Dhulikhel will find a beautiful, peaceful, integrated environment and authentic culture, making it an ideal destination for those seeking to celebrate the new year in a way that is both relaxing and rejuvenating.
Historic Old Town with Traditional Newari Architecture
The old town of Dhulikhel is perhaps the most fascinating part of this town. Visitors walking through the narrow cobbled streets will feel like they have been transported back in time. Every corner of the old town has been beautified through renovation of the red brick Newari houses and the craftsman-type windows. Each street corner is adorned with innumerable small temples, shrines, and courtyards from centuries of architectural and socio-cultural history developed through this ancient community.
Through a visit to the old town, visitors will experience the community lifetime of the local people, see how their ancestors created various items using ancient crafts, and experience the strong cultural identity that constitutes the essence of Dhulikhel. With this high quantity of culture, Dhulikhel offers visitors a reason to come for more than just
Panoramic Himalayan Views
While Dhulikhel and Nagarkot are both good areas for quality mountain views, particularly of the great Himalayas, there is much less congestion and noise found at Dhulikhel. Long distances are visible at Dhulikhel when viewing the mountains, on a clear day, from the east.
When viewing the Dhulikhel, you will see incredible colours saturating the mountain tops being illuminated by the sun during both the sunrise and sunset. The sun sets behind these mountains (West of Dhulikhel).
Visitors will find many hotels and viewpoints located in Dhulikhel that have open terrace areas where they can relax while enjoying the view.
Kali Temple / Hill Top View
Kali Temple, located at the top of a mountain (about 10 minutes hiking distance from Dhulikhel), provides visitors with one of the best panoramic viewpoints the area has to offer. People hike up to Kali Temple to see the magnificent sunrise over the Himalaya during the early morning hours; the serenity, peace, and spirituality that one experiences at the temple will create memories that last a lifetime.
Local residents use the temple as a place of prayer and also come to view the magnificent scenery available.
Hiking to the Sacred Namo Buddha
Dhulikhel is home to one of the most sacred Buddhist sites: Namo Buddha. Visiting Namo Buddha is an opportunity for devout Buddhists to worship at one of the most significant sites in Nepal and make their pilgrimage there. Using a scenic hiking trail through beautiful forests, terraced fields and quaint villages, you can walk approximately 2 hours to reach Namo Buddha's site.
According to legend and Buddhist folklore, Prince Siddhartha Gautama (now known as the Buddha) sacrificed his life for a starving tiger and her cubs, illustrating his compassion as a prince. Today, pilgrims from around the world make their way to Namo Buddha to visit the large monastery that sits at the bottom of Bhaktapur Hill.
The Namo Buddha trek can be completed over several days, giving visitors ample time to absorb the vast cultural, scenic and historic sites surrounding the area. There are many small, local Newari restaurants in the area where you can enjoy traditional Newari cuisine while you are visiting the area.
In conclusion, Dhulikhel has a variety of cultural, historical and natural elements that can enhance your traveling experience.
A Great Place to Celebrate New Year’s Day 2083 Near Kathmandu
Are you looking for an unforgettable way to usher in the New Year away from Kathmandu? Nagarkot and Dhulikhel are excellent choices for creating new memories with your loved ones this year while celebrating the New Year with friends and family.
Nagarkot offers magnificent views of the Himalayas as well as breathtaking mountain sunrises; Dhulikhel is serene and peaceful, has a magnificent collection of ancient buildings and culturally rich sites.
Whether you choose to watch the sunrise from one of the several well-known viewing areas in Nagarkot or explore one of the numerous cultural sites offered in Dhulikhel, being in the shadow of the towering Himalayan mountains will inspire you to begin anew this New Year.