Upallokot Viewpoint

Upallokot — meaning the upper fort — is the highest point of the Gorkha Durbar ridge, a former watchtower spot that today serves as the town's finest viewpoint. From this perch above the palace, the land falls away into terraced valleys and, on a clear morning, the horizon fills with the snow walls of Manaslu, Himalchuli and Ganesh Himal. It is the natural climax of a climb up the ridge.

What to expect

To reach Upallokot you carry on above the main Durbar complex, following the stone steps up the last stretch of the ridge. The extra climb is short but steep, and the reward is an open, 360-degree outlook with little to block the view. There is no grand structure here — the draw is the panorama itself, best caught at sunrise when the peaks catch the first light before the day's haze rolls in.

The viewpoint pairs naturally with the rest of the ridge. Below sit the palace buildings, the Gorakhnath Cave shrine and the temples of the complex, while the opposite end of the ridge holds the lower fort. Together they make a satisfying ridge-top loop above the town.

The names tell the story of the place: Upallokot is the upper fort and Tallokot the lower, the two ends of a single fortified ridge from which the early Shah rulers watched over their hill kingdom. Standing here, with the valleys dropping away on both sides and the snow giants strung along the northern horizon, it is easy to understand why this commanding spot was chosen. On the very clearest mornings the view stretches from the Annapurna foothills in the west across Manaslu and Himalchuli to the Ganesh Himal in the east, a panorama few viewpoints in Nepal can match for so little effort once you have reached the Durbar.

Good to know

• Timing: Climb for sunrise — the Himalayan views are clearest in the early morning and disappear behind haze later in the day.
• The climb: It is a steep extra stretch above the Durbar on stone steps; wear shoes with grip and carry water.
• Bring layers: Mornings on the exposed ridge can be cool and breezy even when the town below is warm.
• Respect the ridge: You are still within an active sacred and historic site, so tread lightly and follow any signs.

How it fits your day

Upallokot is best treated as the high point of a Gorkha Durbar morning. Climb early, take in the sunrise from the upper fort, then descend past the cave and temples and on to Tallokot, the lower watchtower at the far end of the ridge. For when to come for the clearest peaks, see our guide to the best time to visit Gorkha.

For the wider plan, our Gorkha itinerary and the roundup of more things to do in Gorkha show how the viewpoint fits a full visit. New to the town? Start with the Gorkha travel guide and the Kathmandu to Gorkha route.