Nuwakot
About
Before Kathmandu, there was Nuwakot. On a ridge above the Trishuli river, north-west of the valley, Prithvi Narayan Shah built a seven-storey palace in the 1760s as the base from which he joined the valley to his kingdom. This long day drives over the valley rim by Kakani, with the Himalaya in view on clear mornings, to the old palace, its temples and the quiet village around it, and back in the evening. Few visitors come; the hills and the history are yours.
A private tour
Your own day, at your own pace
Namaste, and welcome. This is not a group tour; it is your day. Just you and the people you came with, and me as your guide. We start when you are ready, stop wherever something catches your eye, and sit in a courtyard for as long as you like. No one is waiting at a bus, and there is no list we have to finish. I would like you to leave feeling you met the city, not that you rushed through it.
- Your own start
- I meet you at your hotel at the time you choose.
- The plan can change
- If you want longer somewhere, we stay.
- No shopping stops
- We go to shops only when you ask.
- We start when you like
- Early for the quiet squares and the morning prayers, or after a slow breakfast. I pick you up at your hotel.
- Time for every question
- The gods on the temple struts, the festival in the street, the food on the corner. There is time for every answer.
- Space to just be there
- A cup of tea while the square wakes up. Often the best moments of a day are the ones nobody planned.
- The plan bends to you
- Tired, or curious about something else? We leave a place out, or stay longer.
- Only the shops you ask for
- We stop at a shop only if you want to.
With warmth, Rujan Neupane
Along the way
What this day is known for.
- The seven-storey palace of Nuwakot
- Where Prithvi Narayan Shah prepared to take the valley
- Bhairavi temple and the old courtyards
- Ganesh Himal and Langtang from Kakani on clear mornings
- Terraced hills above the Trishuli
- Very few other visitors
The day, stop by stop
Times move with traffic and with you.-
7:30
Over the rim by Kakani
North-west out of the valley and over the rim at Kakani, with the mountains in view on clear mornings.
- Kakani
-
10:30
Nuwakot palace
The seven-storey palace and its courtyards, restored after the 2015 earthquake, and the small museum.
- Nuwakot Durbar
-
12:00
Bhairavi temple and the village
The temple of Bhairavi and the old village around the palace; lunch.
- Nuwakot
-
14:00
The ridge
A short walk on the ridge for the view over the Trishuli valley.
- Nuwakot
-
15:00
Back to Kathmandu
The drive back, about 3 hours.
- Your hotel
Is this tour for you?
Walking, steps, heat and access, honestly.Not sure? Tell me who is coming, and I'll tell you honestly. Write to me
The honest downsides
What I'd want to know before booking.- Six hours in the car for a few hours at the place.
- Winding roads; bring something for travel sickness if you need it.
- Parts of the palace may still be under repair.
- The mountains are hidden on hazy days.
More about this tour
Best time to go
Clearest from October to February.- BestJAN
- BestFEB
- GoodMAR
- HazyAPR
- HazyMAY
- RainJUN
- RainJUL
- RainAUG
- GoodSEP
- BestOCT
- BestNOV
- BestDEC
From late March to May, and on some winter days, the valley is hazy and the mountains are hidden. In the monsoon (June to September) mornings are often clear and afternoons wet. In the monsoon the road can be slow with landslides.
Time of day
Festivals worth planning for
Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and change every year; I confirm the date when you ask.
Before you go
The small practical things.Visiting with respect
These are living places of worship, not museums.- Walk around stupas, monasteries and temples clockwise.
- Ask before photographing people at prayer, or inside temples; some do not allow it.
- Take off your shoes where others do, and dress with shoulders and knees covered at holy places.
- In the parks, keep quiet and keep your distance from animals; follow the nature guide.
Where your money goes
Every amount, and who receives it. I charge only my guide fee; the rest is paid at cost.| What | Who receives it | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guide fee | Rujan Neupane | My day rate × 1 day | For your whole private group |
| Entry tickets | Paid at the gate | Official price | See Entrance fees |
| Car and driver | The driver | Agreed before the day | Paid at cost |
| Lunch and tea | The restaurants and tea shops | What they charge | You pay directly |
I don't sell packages. I guide, and I help you arrange the rest (rooms, transport, permits) at what it actually costs. If you would like it all put together as one package, ask me: I make one only on your request, and we confirm it by email.
Photo notes
From a guide who is also a photographer.The places in detail
The history and stories behind what you will see.Nuwakot
Nuwakot lies on a ridge above the Trishuli river, north-west of Kathmandu. Prithvi Narayan Shah, king of Gorkha, took it in the 1740s and built its seven-storey palace in the 1760s; from here he prepared the campaign that joined the cities of the Kathmandu Valley to his kingdom. The palace was badly damaged in the 2015 earthquake and has been restored since.
Entry tickets and park fees are at the official price: see entrance fees in Nepal.
My promises
Written down, so you can hold me to them.- No pressureAsk me anything. Asking costs nothing and commits you to nothing, and I will never rush your decision.
- Nothing hiddenEvery cost is written down before you pay anything, and nothing is added later without your agreement.
- Your day, your paceWe stay longer where you want to, and skip what doesn't interest you.
- Reviews as writtenEvery review here is published as the guest wrote it. I don't edit reviews or remove critical ones.
Before you go
What I would read first, from my own guides and tours.Guides to read first
Frequently asked questions
How far is it?
About 3 hours each way by car.
Is it worth such a long drive?
If you love history and quiet places, yes. If not, choose a place in the valley.
Can we stay a night?
Yes, there are guesthouses; ask me.
Is the guide fee for each person?
No. One rate for your whole private group of 1 to 5 people.
Is the palace open?
Yes, though parts may still be under repair.
When is best?
October to February.
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- +977 984-3808583
- Phone
- +977 984-3808583
Know your date already? Book me as your guide for this tour
More than 5 of you? Write to me. I guide up to 5 people at one rate. For a bigger group we can talk it through by email. I reply myself, usually within a day. On the trail there is often no network, so it can take a few days.
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