WIth only 5 nights in Nepal we want to see what we can of the Katmandu Valley but spend a couple of days in an area where we can bike or hike for half/whole day excursion. I'd like to experience a small town as well. I've scratched Chitwan because of time constraints and I don't want to spend all my time in transport. Both Nagarkot and Dhulikhel are a short distance from Katmandu, both have great mountain views, but which is better? What about hotels? Any other suggestions? I appreciate advice and thanks so much.

that is a hard Q! Both Nagarkot and Dhulikhel are gorgeous, and I loved both. But if time is an issue, I'm a bit partial towards Nagarkot. Everything from the air, to the views are magical. Alot of people complain that Nagarkot has gotten so "commercial" (for ex I had visited 15 yr ago when there was not really any hotels there, and it was just a gorgeous hill, whereas now hotels have mushroomed all over the place), but if you "trek" from Nagarkot to Ktm you will walk through some areas that are still very rural and get a good sense for the real Nepal. I haven't trekked in Dhulikhel, so can't say about that.

Global_Girl
Nepali girl living in NYC