Nepal is home to eight of the world's fourteen 8,000 m peaks, and there are hundreds of places to see them. Some are a short drive from a city hotel; others need a two-week trek and a pre-dawn climb in the cold. Here are our favourites, grouped by how much effort they take.
Quick answer: the easiest viewpoints are Sarangkot (Pokhara), Nagarkot, Chandragiri and Daman, all reachable by road. Short treks reach Poon Hill, Australian Camp and Mardi Himal. The great high viewpoints are Kala Patthar and Gokyo Ri for Everest, and Annapurna Base Camp for the Annapurna Sanctuary. The best time is October–December and early mornings.
Viewpoints you can drive to
| Viewpoint | Height | View | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarangkot | About 1,600 m | Dhaulagiri, Annapurnas, Machhapuchhre | Pokhara, 30–40 min |
| Nagarkot | About 2,175 m | Annapurna to the Everest region on clear days | Kathmandu, 1.5 hours |
| Chandragiri | About 2,550 m | Annapurna to Everest on clear days | Kathmandu + cable car |
| Daman | About 2,300 m | A long stretch of the Himalaya | Kathmandu, 3–4 hours |
| Dhulikhel | About 1,550 m | Langtang to the Everest region | Kathmandu, 1–1.5 hours |
| Kalinchowk | About 3,800 m | Gauri Shankar, Rolwaling | Kathmandu, 5–6 hours + climb |
Viewpoints on short treks
| Viewpoint | Height | View | Trek |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poon Hill | 3,210 m | Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre | 4–7 days from Pokhara |
| Australian Camp | 2,060 m | Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre | 2–3 days from Pokhara |
| Mardi Himal viewpoint | About 4,500 m | Machhapuchhre up close | 5–7 days |
| Khopra Danda | About 3,660 m | Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South | 7–8 days |
| Everest View Hotel | About 3,880 m | Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam | 7–8 days (Everest View trek) |
The great high viewpoints
| Viewpoint | Height | View | Trek |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kala Patthar | About 5,545 m | Everest close up, Nuptse, Khumbu Glacier | Everest Base Camp trek |
| Gokyo Ri | 5,357 m | Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Gokyo Lakes | Gokyo trek |
| Renjo La | About 5,360 m | Everest and the Gokyo valley | Gokyo and Renjo La trek |
| Annapurna Base Camp | 4,130 m | The Annapurna Sanctuary | ABC trek |
| Thorong La | 5,416 m | Annapurna and Mustang ranges | Annapurna Circuit |
| Pangpema | About 5,140 m | North face of Kanchenjunga | Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek |
Tips for the best views
- Go early: mornings are usually clearest; cloud often builds by late morning.
- Choose the season: October to December has the clearest skies; spring is hazier.
- Dress warmly for sunrise; it is coldest just before dawn.
- Bring a headlamp for pre-dawn climbs.
- Be patient: if a viewpoint is cloudy, wait half an hour or try the next morning.
Which viewpoint is right for you?
- No trekking: Sarangkot, Nagarkot or a mountain flight.
- A few days: Poon Hill or Australian Camp.
- One week: Mardi Himal or the Everest View trek.
- Two weeks: Everest Base Camp, Gokyo and Renjo La or Annapurna Base Camp.
See all our places to visit in Nepal, or contact us for advice.