Sankhu to Nagarkot
- Physical DifficultyThis is the average user-submitted rating on the physical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
- Technical DifficultyThis is the average user-submitted rating on the technical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
Sankhu is an ancient Newari town on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu Valley and is also home to the temple of Bajrayogini, a famous pilgrimage site for Newar Buddhists. The hiking route from Sankhu to Nagarkot offers an opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of buzzing Kathmandu to relax in calm environs amid the beauty of lush green hills with views of the Himalayas.
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Route Description for Sankhu to Nagarkot
Nagarkot makes for a popular weekend getaway destination where you can embark on an exciting outdoor adventure taking in the pleasures of Nepal’s natural beauty.
Although the hike from Sankhu to Nagarkot is short, it will leave you exhausted as the elevation gain is close to 850 m with a loss of only 300 m. Get an early start to make the bumpy 17.0 km bus ride from Kathmandu to Sankhu.
Upon arriving at Sankhu Bus Park, head east for 420 m along the paved road until you reach the fork in the trail at Dhalanko. Continue straight, avoiding any turns, and trek along the dirt road through small villages.
Notice the Panchmeshwori Temple at the side of the Salinadi River. This temple is visited by many Hindu pilgrims that comefor the month-long Swasthani Bratha Katha festival. The stretch following the temple is fairly easy as it winds its way amid small settlements with friendly locals smiling and waving as you pass them by.
After the 2.0 km mark, the trail gradually climbs. Take frequent breaks and be sure to hydrate to protect yourself from the scorching heat.
By this point, the villages start to dwindle, and the treeline appears before its time to follow the trail through the thick forest.
After walking the tree-lined single track for 2.4 km over a 250 m incline, you’ll reach Kartike Bhanjyang. Keep on following the trail and ascend the steep path—the final section of the trail has about a 300 m to climb to Nagarkot. There’s also the option to pick up the Nagarkot Eco-Trail after walking 750 m from Kartike Bhanjyang. You know you’re in Nagarkot when you start to see concrete buildings and large communities.
Once in Nagarkot, choose from a variety of restaurants, from high-end to simple. Do Make a point to try dal bhat for an authentic Nepali dish. After lunch, hike up to the Nagarkot viewpoint which is about 3.8 km south of the Nagarkot Bus Stop.
Stay the night in Nagarkot and catch a beautiful sunrise the next morning, or you can opt to take the bus back to Kathmandu. There are a lot of accommodation options in Nagarkot, so you won’t have a problem finding a suitable place to sleep.
Insider Hints for Sankhu to Nagarkot
- There are many good options for an overnight stay in Nagarkot.
- Check out our Kathmandu to Chisapani Hike and make it a 2-day trip!
Getting to the Sankhu to Nagarkot Trailhead
Grab a bus at Kathmandu’s Ratna Park Bus Station to Sankhu, where the trail begins.
Route Information
Sankhu to Nagarkot Elevation Graph
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