Things to do in Kakani

Kakani is a cool ridge resort at about 2,070m on the north-west rim of the Kathmandu Valley, in Nuwakot district. It is one of the closest places to the capital where you can stand on a ridge and watch the Ganesh Himal, Langtang and Manaslu ranges line the horizon, which is why generations of Kathmandu families have come up here for a cool-air picnic, a plate of fresh trout and a basket of strawberries.

The headline draw is the Kakani Himalaya viewpoint, a sweeping panorama best at dawn before the haze builds. Around the ridge you can visit the moving British Gurkha war memorial and cemetery, wander the seasonal strawberry farms, eat at the government and private trout farms, and pay respects at the Thai Airways memorial park, built where flight TG311 crashed in 1992. The hillsides themselves are the appeal: pine forest, terraces and the long views that make this a favourite picnic spot.

Many people simply walk it. The classic Kakani day hike from Kathmandu drops down through forest toward Shivapuri or Budhanilkantha, combining mountain views with a gentle descent. Start with our roundup of the top things to do in Kakani, then sort the practicalities: where to stay, how to get there and the best time to visit.

For the wider picture, see our national guides to the best viewpoints in Nepal, the best day hikes near Kathmandu and the best time to visit Nepal.