Gorkha lies 24 km north of the Prithvi Highway at Abu Khaireni, in the hills between the Marsyangdi and Daraudi rivers. The Shah family established a kingdom here in 1559, and for two centuries Gorkha was one of dozens of small hill states. In 1723 Prithvi Narayan Shah was born in the palace on the ridge. Becoming king in 1743, he spent the next 25 years conquering the Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding principalities, laying the foundations of the modern state of Nepal. The word Gurkha, used for Nepal's famous soldiers, comes from this town.
The main sight is Gorkha Durbar, a fortress-palace and temple complex built along the crest of the ridge with carved wooden windows, brick walls and stone courtyards. It contains the Kalika temple, sacred to the Shah kings, the room where Prithvi Narayan Shah is said to have been born, and below it the Gorakhnath cave shrine. On clear days from October to March the view to the north takes in Manaslu, Himalchuli, Baudha Himal and the Ganesh Himal.
Gorkha district was the epicentre area of the April 2015 earthquake, and the palace was badly damaged; it has since been restored, though some work may still be in progress. In the bazaar below, the Gorkha Museum in the old lower palace tells the story of the dynasty. Gorkha is a natural stop on a pilgrimage or heritage route between Kathmandu and Pokhara, usually combined with Manakamana. One night lets you climb to the palace in the cool morning light.
What to see and do
- Gorkha Durbar
The fortress-palace runs along the ridge top with brick walls, carved peacock windows and wooden struts. Walk through its courtyards to see where the Shah kings held court and planned their campaigns, and look out from the terraces over the Gorkha valley and the Himalaya.
- Kalika temple
The temple of the goddess Kalika inside the Durbar is one of the most revered Shakti shrines in Nepal and was the royal family's own temple. Only designated priests enter the inner sanctum; pilgrims worship at the courtyard. Sacrifices are made during Dashain and on auspicious days.
- Gorakhnath cave
Below the southern side of the palace, a rock cave shrine honours Guru Gorakhnath, the yogi saint from whom the town and the Gurkhas take their name. Yogis of the Kanphata order serve here. It is a quiet, atmospheric stop on the way up or down.
- The climb from the bazaar
A stone stairway of roughly 1,500 steps climbs about 300 m from the bazaar to the palace, taking 45 minutes to an hour. A road now reaches part of the way, leaving a 10–15 minute walk for those who cannot manage the full climb.
- Gorkha Museum
The Tallo Durbar, a 19th century palace in a garden in the bazaar, now houses a museum of the Shah dynasty, weapons, coins, manuscripts and royal portraits. It gives context before you climb to the hilltop palace.
- Upallo Kot viewpoint
Above the Durbar, a further climb of about 20–30 minutes along the ridge leads to the old fort site of Upallo Kot. The view here is wider and quieter, with the Manaslu range filling the northern horizon on clear mornings.
Experiences in Gorkha
How to reach Gorkha
Road
From Kathmandu, drive west on the Prithvi Highway to Abu Khaireni, about 8 km past Mugling, then north for 24 km on a paved road to Gorkha Bazaar: about 140 km in 5–5.5 hours. From Pokhara it is about 110 km via Damauli and Dumre to Abu Khaireni, 3–3.5 hours. Manakamana's cable car base at Kurintar is about 45 km away, 1.5 hours. Local buses run from Kathmandu and Pokhara.
On foot
From Gorkha Bazaar, the stone staircase to Gorkha Durbar takes 45–60 minutes uphill. Vehicles can drive part of the way up the ridge on a newer road, leaving a short walk. Allow 30–40 minutes for the descent on the steps.
Where to stay
Gorkha has simple 2- to 3-star hotels in and around the bazaar and a few small resorts on the hillsides outside town, with standards a step below Pokhara or Bandipur. They are clean and adequate for one night, serve Nepali and Indian food, and some have rooms with a view of the Durbar or the Himalaya. Pilgrims usually stay one night to climb to the palace in the morning light. Travellers who prefer more comfort can visit Gorkha as a half-day stop and continue to Bandipur (The Old Inn, about 1.5–2 hours) or Pokhara the same evening.
Tips from our trip managers
- Climb to Gorkha Durbar early in the morning for cooler air, clearer mountain views and fewer school groups.
- Leather belts, bags and shoes are not allowed in the Kalika temple area; leave them with your driver.
- Photography is restricted inside the temple, so ask before using a camera near shrines.
- Carry water for the climb, as there are only a few small stalls on the stairway.
- Visit the Gorkha Museum in the bazaar before climbing, so the palace makes more sense.
