Landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport is a feast to the eyes. As the plane approaches the airport you can see the majestic lone Mt. Everest on one side and on the other you see a sea of concrete buildings surrounded by the mountains of the Himalayas. On landing at this tiny airport you are surely taken aback by the sheer number of backpackers, hikers and tourists bustling in the airport. And this is how my trip to Nagarkot began.
Scenic arrival at Nagarkot
The ride from the airport to Nagarkot is about an hour long, passing beautiful valleys and a Tibetan monastery. Nagarkot can be described as a quaint village which gives you one of the best views of the Everest.
The hotel I was staying in is called Bhangeri Durbar Resort, simple yet hospitable and all the rooms face the Everest. The rooms give you an amazing view of the valley and the stream of clouds above it. This beautiful village is known for its amazing sunrises and sunsets.
Ponder while on a hike
I decided to explore the wilderness on the first day there. I wore my hiking shoes and left, eager to explore the unknown terrains and excited about what I would get to witness. The peace and tranquillity set in, and the fresh mountain air seems to give you a high. I followed the tracks made from people walking over the dense grass.
As I walked, I noticed that people – old, young, and middle-aged – every 10 minutes passing the same path you are taking from either direction and greeting each other with a “Namaste”. In the city, we tend to walk past without noticing the people around us, but here everyone is united by their sheer determination of exploring the unknown.
The fresh air and smell of wild plants around me was so rejuvenating. One should take a moment and pause life when surrounded by such wonders of nature and thank God for making the Earth so beautiful.
A relaxing evening
Walking back to the hotel I was looking forward to dig into some good food, after which I went back to the room deciding to turn in early. From the balcony, you can look across the valley and above to the clear skies. A faint outline of the Everest can be seen in the moon light though its peak is covered by clouds.
The Morning with the Mountains and the Sun
The next day around 5:00 am I woke up to a cold ambience. Bundled in my jacket I walked out onto the balcony, the distant rising sun couldn’t be seen over the horizon but the amber light could be seen lighting the sky.
As time passed, the sun rose higher and higher with streaks of rays giving me a view of the long mountain range that was covered with clouds. Soon the sun rose higher over the horizon and as it did that a streak of lights illuminated the highest peak in the world a bright amber making it appear from the clouds as if it was set on fire!
This lasted for another 45 minutes before the sun was up and the Everest’s peak was hidden behind streams of clouds, which did not deter the number of very scary looking planes run by Yeti Airlines and Buddha Air which are the closest encounter that you can have with this mountain if not climbing it. This is done from around 6am to 8am and lasts for about 50 mins with a number of flights during the same.
Connect with Yourself
This is a place known for its closeness to nature and its tranquility. There isn’t much to do there other than connect with oneself and nature and bask in the beautiful sight of the Himalayas from the comfort of your room. The Nagarkot View Point Tower also gives you a 360 view on valleys, hidden ranges and the Tallest peak on the Earth.
Click here to read one of our writer’s accounts of his journey to Mount Everest Base Camp
