Bhedetar's ridge faces south-east, which makes it one of the easiest sunrise points in eastern Nepal: no 4 a.m. drive, just a short walk from most resorts. We meet at your hotel about 40 minutes before sunrise and head to the view tower or the best open terrace nearby, depending on where you are staying.
As the sky lightens, the flat plain of the Terai appears below, divided into fields and villages, with the Koshi River's channels glinting to the west and the town grid of Dharan at the foot of the hill. In November to February a layer of fog often fills the lowlands, so the sun rises over a white sea. Turn north on the clearest mornings for faint snow peaks above the hills.
By 7.30 a.m. the show is over, and tea stalls near the tower serve hot drinks and snacks. It is a short, easy outing, good for all ages, and combines well with a morning drive on to Dhankuta or down to Dharan's temples.
Good for
- Families
- Couples
- Seniors
- Photographers
Questions travellers ask
Can you see the Himalaya from Bhedetar?
Only on very clear days, mostly in winter after rain, as a faint line of snow far to the north. Bhedetar is mainly a viewpoint over the Terai plains and the Koshi River, not a mountain viewpoint.
What time should I go for sunrise?
Be at the tower 30 to 40 minutes before sunrise: around 5.15 a.m. in May, 5.45 a.m. in October and 6.15 a.m. in December and January.
Is the view tower open early?
It has generally been accessible at dawn, but access and fees are set locally and can change. Check current status before you travel; resort terraces are a good alternative.
