Sherpa Alpine Cottage

A place for 'simplicity lovers'

Sherpa Alpine Cottage is a small rustic retreat in the hills of Nagarkot, just 32 kms east of Kathmandu, a mere one hour drive by car. It is a lovely little spot with views down to the Indrawati valley and up the hillsides to the north and east towards the himalayan peaks.

People from Kathmandu pop up for a weekend, for a refreshing change; some tourists stay for many days, even weeks. Guests from other hotels will also stop by and enjoy a cup of coffee, a bottle of beer, or a full meal. Indeed, over the years, the lodge has established itself as one of the favorite place to stay and eat in Nagarkot. You can be sure of a warm welcome at Sherpa Alpine Cottage.

Make no mistake. Nothing fancy. Simple wooden cottages built on terraced hills. Inexpensive and clean. Private and intimate. Ideal for families, friends, romantics, and anyone who enjoys nature, peace and quiet.

We have 3 small individual cottages sited on the lower terrace and 2 guest rooms in the main cottage building. The rooms are basic but well kept and clean. If you are not looking for something fancy, the cottage would be perfectly adequate for a trouble free stay. 

From every sides of the cottage, there are splendid views of the valley, terraced fields, villages and distant mountains.  

To get an impressive 360º view of the sunrise and the Himalayan peaks, many guests make their way to the lookout tower in the dawn, which is an easy one hour uphill walk to the south of the cottage. If you are not a keen walker, we can help by arranging a jeep or car drive for you.

Alfresco-style restaurant & little thatched huts

Guests taking it easy

Pleasant alfresco-style restaurant, with tables in little thatched huts around a terraced garden that overlooking  the beautiful Indrawati valley.

 


Our guests spend many wonderful hours on the terrace just enjoying the view and chatting, watch the birds fly, have breakfast, meals or just  read a book. The cottage is blessed with the perfect location for sunshine.

An early morning view from the terrace

Food is something our guests enjoy very much here; home cooked, organic and freshly prepared. We do some of the best local treats in Nagarkot...!

Apple Momos

The bamboo resturant sits 8-10 guests

Our restaurant opens daily from 7am in the morning until all dinners have been served usually by 10 pm 

Enjoy a leisurely dinner in our cosy little restaurant after sunset - or sit outside in the fresh air if you prefer.  Start your day with a delicious breakfast on the terrace, in the warmth of the rising sun. 

Nepalese Dal Baat

Swiss Rosti.....

Check out our menu for a tempting selection of Sherpa, Tibetan, Nepali, Indian, Chinese and Western dishes, and then choose where to eat it - indoors or outdoors, on the upper terrace, or on the lower terrace. 

Our one room simple individual cottages

Sugata Cottage (room3)

Sugata Cottage (room3)
It has a double bed with bathroom and toilet attached. From the bed you have wonderful views across the valley. 

Sugata Cottage bed

Karuna Cottage (room4)

Karuna Cottage bed

Karuna Cottage (room4)
It has twin beds (one double bed and one single bed ) and comes with bathroom and toilet attached. From the bed you have wonderful views across the valley. 

Nirvana Cottage (room5)

Nirvana Cottage bed

Nirvana Cottage (room5)
It has one double bed and a small private balcony facing the sunrise. The toilet is downstairs from the room accessed by a small wooden step ladder. 

The main cottage building features a restaurant inside, a dorm-type room upstairs and a guest room downstairs

Middle room (room2)

The main cottage building

Dorm room (top room)

The Dorm room (top room) is a dorm-style sleeping arrangement for up to 4-6 people with floor beds. It is upstairs from the restaurant accessed by a small indoor step ladder. For toilet and bathing facilities, you use the shared ones outside. 

The Middle room (room2),  or the one below the restaurant comes with one small double bed and a toilet attached. This is a basic room paneled with local bamboo mats.

Rates and Reservations:
Room rates per night are as follows :-
Sugata Cottage (room3) :   1 guest Rs 900           2 guests Rs 1300
Karuna Cottage (room4) :   1 guest Rs1200          2 guests Rs 1500
Nirvana Cottage (room5) :  1 guest Rs 900           2 guests Rs 1300 
Dormitory (top room) :         2 guests Rs 800         extra guest Rs 300
Middle Room (room2) :       1 guest Rs 600           2 guests Rs 800

*10% discount is offered for guests staying 4 days or more. All rates above are given in local currency and does not include breakfast and subject to 10% service tax. Please check with us for rates if you come in group. 

We realize that travel plans change and you may need to cancel your reservation. However, as a small business with a handful of rooms, this can have a big impact on us. In such case, we appreciate an early notification (at least 48 hours in advance).

We also have a lease on a facility 30 meters up the road (just a minute’s walk away) with 5 rooms, again with great views, so, anytime the cottage gets full, there is the option of sleeping there and eating in the cottage. In case you find our accommodation fails to meet your expectations, please let us know, and we may be able to help you find somewhere more suitable for you. 

 

If you'd like to contact us please mail to : sherpacottage@gmail.com 

 OR

For prompt booking call: 

9803220655 (Mob) 

6680015 (Landline)

Direction from Nagarkot Bus Stop

The cottage is 15 minutes walk ahead from Nagarkot Bus Stop

We are easy to find!
Take the left from the bus stop at Nagarkot and follow the paved road between the local tea shops that winds further up through the pine forests to the top. As you arrive at the second intersection, avoid left and keep straight ahead. Now you should be able to see the cottages painted in green and white. We are just minutes away...

We do not promise you luxury. We will give you a simple local experience: comfortable, peaceful, joyful, serene, friendly, and, above all, Nepali.

Day Tours with a Local

Path to a Hidden Buddhist Monastery

This is a day hiking tour on the edge of the Kathmandu Valley rim (7-8 hours approx) offered on a "join-in" basis. No special physical preparation is required as this trip can be enjoyed by anyone who leads a fairly active life. Tour departure guaranteed with minimum one participant. The maximum group size is limited to six. 

The sleeping Vishnu

 Highlights

• Experience a ride on local transport

• Visit the site of sleeping Vishnu

• Hike through the last remaining woodlands near Kathmandu

• On a clear day see snow capped Himalaya 
• Take in breathe-taking views of the Kathmandu valley and the surrounding hills and discover the path to the hidden monastery

Tour style: Hiking, Local Life & Culture, Heritage & History
Inclusion: English speaking guide, Entry fees to Shivapuri National Park, Local transport.
Exclusion: Items of a personal nature, Beverages  
Tour price: 1- 2 person (USD 40.00 each)   3- 6 person (USD 30.00 each) 
  
Meeting  Venue and Time: In front of Garden of Dreams, Thamel at 7am

Nangi Gompa- the Buddhist Nunnery

Tibetan Nuns at Nangi Gompa

Guests doing their bit of walking

Tour Itinerary

Walk to the nearest bus-stand (approximately 15 mins). Jump on local transport and hobnob with the locals to Buddanilkantha (30 mins approx) on our journey to the site of the sleeping Vishnu (Hindu God of preservation). Observe the magnificently carved stone idol of sleeping Vishnu from the outer periphery of the pond (non-Hindus are not allowed inside), on which seems to float the sleeping Vishnu - get your cameras out and lend your ears to an interesting story about the sleeping Vishnu.

Start the hike through the surrounding farmlands into Kathmandu’s nearest forest reserve - Shivapuri National Park (15 mins approx). After registering at the park entry gate, take a pleasant walk through the woods, to a hidden Buddhist Nunnery - Nangi Gompa (2.5 hrs approx). Set on a pedestal atop the hill offering wide angle view of the Kathmandu valley. Avid bird-watchers will have a field day!

Descend down the hill and continue to hike through the woodlands emerging out of the forest reserve at Sundarijal. Enjoy the sights of waterfalls and follow the pipeline to the end point of the hike at the bazaar (1 hr approx). Again, jump on local transport for the journey back to Kathmandu (1 hr approx)

Ten thing to know before going to Nepal

1. Carry toilet paper everywhere, and if you can’t handle squat toilets, rethink your travel plans.

2. Traffic in Kathmandu is chaos – motorbikes, push bikes, cars, buses and rickshaws – sometimes livestock too – will go any which way at any time. Just be careful, but keep walking. Cars and buses will also use their horns for any or no reason, even at four in the morning.

3. Nepali people are very touchy-feely. Get used to it. Men will hold each other very openly in public but there are no homosexual connotations associated with this. Also – Nepali people have no qualms about invading your personal space – they will happily walk into your room, start looking through your photos, or want to go through your camera, computer or phone to see some snaps as well. But – never touch anyone with your feet, or step over someone’s legs, or something important like a religious item. If you touch someone, or something important, with your foot, you must touch your hand to your head and then touch them/it. Also don’t use your foot to point at anything, or touch people’s feet.

4. Don’t drink the water, or even brush your teeth with it. You can buy cheap chlorine drops at any pharmacy/drug store in Kathmandu which will do the trick and save the money and waste on bottled water.

5. When around the tourist district – you should barter down prices as they will start at around double the local’s price. Bartering is fun to Nepali people, so just enjoy it! The seller will say a price, you say “Oh that’s a bit expensive…” and they will say another and then you have a go etc, until you’re happy. You will also get harassed in the Thamel area for taxis, rickshaws, beggars and store owners. However, the people are friendly but persistent, so just decline and keep walking. Best to assume everyone is trying to get money out of you, especially ‘porters’ at airports and people posing as friendly locals who offer to show you around or direct you to where you are going, and will most likely ask for money at the end. Another important thing to note – there seems to be a national change shortage in Nepal, so keep hold of your small notes, or you might be stuck giving a very big tip!

6. Kathmandu is a dust bowl. There is rubbish everywhere – in the river, on the streets, and people go to the toilet and litter anywhere convenient with no thought about the environment or sanitation. Bring a face mask if you will be traveling around the city streets, and just be ready to see people throwing rubbish out car windows. This is just due to ignorance, poverty and a lack of infrastructure and awareness, but be prepared for this, especially if you are environmentally minded.

7. Nepal is a very religious country. Hindu and Tibetan Buddhists live, work and worship very harmoniously, and you will be confronted with all things religious everywhere you go, so embrace and enjoy. There are regular religious festivals and events to experience, so check out what will be occurring while you are in the country.


8. Get out of the city and do a trek. The Himalayas are an amazingly beautiful place to explore, but do some research to be prepared for the trek, the cold, and the altitude.

9. Kathmandu suffers from electricity shortages, especially when the seasons mean that hydroelectric power is at a low. You will only be able to charge your various gadgets at a certain time of day, or night, depending on your accommodation establishment. You may also have no running water, or no hot water at least.

10. Food in Nepal is wonderful. The common fare is Dahl Baht, lentil soup and rice, and you should try it, or if you are living in a host family, get used to it real quick. Your hosts will also try to feed you a massive plate that might be too much, so be stern, or allow your stomach to expand! In the city restaurants, there are Western options around, and various different cuisines to try. There are always vegetarian options, and you may decide to stick to the meatless option after you see the animals being slaughtered in the street and the carcasses sitting out in the sun and the dust.
Important note: Nepali people have something called ‘jutoh’, which is food that has touched someone else’s lips or mouth – you cannot give ‘jutoh’ to someone higher than yourself, e.g. a wife can never give ‘jutoh’ to her husband. You will see people drinking straight from pitchers of water, but they will never let it touch their lips. So, when sharing food, use the communal spoon or ladle to dish up – never use the spoon or fork that you are using to eat with.
Nepal is a beautiful, wonderful country, filled with amazingly friendly and happy people. Enjoy your time there, and whilst the above seems to be only about the more difficult sides to the country, the smiles and genuineness of the people you meet will make any negative points seem trivial. Enjoy!

Some practical information on Nagarkot

Nagarkot Hills are a haven of peace and tranquility lying 32 kilometers to the east of Kathmandu. It is surrounded by pine trees which gives you an idyllic escape- with only the wind and the sound of rustling leaves to disturb you. The crisp, cool, air... bird songs, and the stunning scenery are pretty hard to outdo.

From here, on a clear day, there are stunning views of the mighty Himalayan ranges including Mt. Everest. Many people visit the area especially to see the sunrise or sunset over this famous mountain range. It is an ideal destination for dedicated mountain watchers, weekend getaways or personal retreats.

There is a lookout tower south of the village where you can get a 360º view of the scenery. It is an easy one hour walk from the area where most of the hotels are populated. Many guests get up at dawn and walk up to the lookout tower to catch the early morning sunrise over the mountains.

For those who wish to spend a longer time in Nagarkot, there are some interesting activities to keep you occupied. There are several pleasant strolls in the rural countryside;  a visit to Tamang village, jungle walks, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, or simply relaxing by reading a book. Many people take a bus or taxi up to Nagarkot and then walk down. Some good walks are down to Sankhu, Sundarijal, Changu Narayan, Bhaktapur, or to Banepa.

Afternoon winds in Nagarkot can get cold and strong especially after sun down, so come prepared with some warm clothing.  A light walking shoes, sunglasses, sun blocker should come in handy.

Roads And Transports

A scenic drive via the ancient city of Bhaktapur and tiny villages along meandering mountain roads is a journey by itself, before arriving at Nagarkot. The road past Bhaktapur, goes winding up and contours around the hills to the top gaining around 600meters in a relatively short time. If you are prone to motion sickness, take the front seat and ask your driver to drive slowly.

During the main season (September through May) one tourist minibus runs daily from Kathmandu at 1.30pm from a stand on Lekhnath Marg, west of the Hotel Malla in front of Nepal Scouts Building (Rs 250, two hours). Since it may not run out of season due to decline in the number of passengers, in which case you'll probably have to get a public bus from Kathmandu, Ratnapark to Bhaktapur and then change the one to Nagarkot from the east stand (Kamal Binayak).  Public buses are cheap (Rs 35), but can be jam-packed, sometimes incredibly uncomfortable and slow.  All in all this will take you 3 hours or more to reach Nagarkot.

It is best to travel by taxis or private car to Nagarkot. A one-way taxi to Nagarkot usually costs around Rs 1600-1800 from Kathmandu, or Rs 800 from Bhaktapur. But if you prefer to travel little luxury then renting a private car would be an option too. And keep in mind; it won't make a big difference on cost either with taxi or private car.