BHAKTAPUR: Today is the first day of the English New Year 2026. Hotels from Nagarkot to Ranikot, considered the major tourist destinations of Bhaktapur, are filled with domestic tourists who have come here to celebrate the New Year Day, making local tourism and hotel entrepreneurs excited.

Not only foreigners but also a large number of domestic tourists has encouraged the local tourism entrepreneurs.

In recent years, Gundu, Ward No. 7 and Sipadol, Ward No. 8 in Suryabinayak Municipality have developed into tourist destinations, and all the hotels at the confluence of the historic Ranikot and Ghyampedanda are filled with domestic tourists.

Tourism entrepreneur and proprietor of Village Highland Resort, Ramsundar Bake, said crowds of domestic tourists have arrived at his place for celebrating the New Year with joyful dancing and singing throughout the night.

One can enjoy the panoramic view not only the Kathmandu Valley and Bhaktapur city but also various snow-clad mountains from Ranikot, located at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level in Suryabinayak and on the border of Panauti Municipality in Kavre.

Tourism entrepreneur Bake said, “Along with the scintillating sunrise, you can see eight mountains over 8,000 meters on height including Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Everest, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Manaslu, Annapurna, Machhapuchchhre, Gaurishankar, Dhaulagiri and Langtang from Ranikot.

Recently, Ranikot has turned into a tourist destination. During the English New Year, domestic tourists have fully occupied the hotels here, and the entrepreneurs are excited.”

Travel to Ranikot is becoming easier for tourists due to the routes of Suryabinayak–Ranikot–Aashapuri and Suryabinayak–Ranikot–Phulchoki trekking, as well as the short road from Suryabinayak to Panauti via Ranikot.

Bake said, “This area, named Ranikot, is historically significant as it was the fort built before the Prithvi Narayan Shah attacked Bhaktapur and later the Malla kings built a palace for the queen.

It is also a suitable place for scenic views. The mountains and sunrise seen from here have been attracting visitors throughout the year, and during the New Year it becomes even more crowded.”

Rajendra Pyatha, the operator of Ghyampedanda Resort, also said that the influx of domestic tourists has boosted enthusiasm in the hotel business here. He mentioned that the hotel was packed during the English New Year.

Narayan Shrestha, the operator of Ranikot Resort, said, “It has become difficult to get rooms here not only during the New Year but also on holidays.

The number of domestic tourists has been increasing, including families coming for a one-night stay, or for picnics, gatherings, and various organisational events.”

In Nagarkot, the main tourist destination of Bhaktapur, local and foreign tourists have filled the hotels to welcome the first sunrise of the New Year.

Hotelier and operator of Hotel Chautari, Badri Maka, said that domestic and international tourists have further increased the attraction of Nagarkot to bid farewell to 2025 and witness the first sunrise of 2026, and enjoy the Himalayan views.

“The number of foreign tourists has also increased, and the pressure of domestic tourists is the same. During the English New Year, about 50 percent of foreign tourists and 50 percent of domestic tourists occupied the hotels here,” he added.

Recently, in Nagarkot, which has hotels ranging from ordinary to five-star, business owners are excited as the influx of domestic tourists has increased during the New Year.

The trend of opening more hotels here is also ongoing. Ramshankar Dhwaju, the owner of Hotel Peaceful, Nagarkot, said he is very happy to see large number of tourists coming here to enjoy the New Year celebrations and sunrise even on cold nights. He added that this time the arrival of tourists has increased compared to last year.

Gokul Lamichhane, the owner of Hotel Marigold in Nagarkot, said, “I have been working in the hotel business for 25 years. After the Covid pandemic, I thought the hotel business might never recover, but hotels have been booked from a month in advance for both the Nepali and English New Year.

There has also been an increase in domestic tourists. This has boosted our enthusiasm and given hope that things will improve.”