Town or village · 1,800 m
Chitlang
A historic Newar farming valley behind the Chandragiri ridge, on the old foot route between Kathmandu and the plains.
Makwanpurदामन
Daman
A ridge-top stop on the old Tribhuvan Rajpath with a wide Himalayan panorama and rhododendron forest.
This is the hill station on the Tribhuvan Rajpath in Makwanpur, Nepal, not Daman in India.
- Altitude
- 2,322 m*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Viewpoint
- District
- Makwanpur, Bagmati
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: landslides (Jun-Sep), road blockages (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Daman sits at about 2,320 m on the Tribhuvan Rajpath, the winding mountain highway between Kathmandu and Hetauda, roughly 75-80 km from the capital. It is the high point of the Makwanpur hills, and on a clear day the view from the ridge runs along much of the central and eastern Himalaya, from Dhaulagiri in the west towards Everest in the east.
Most visitors come for sunrise. A viewing tower and hotel terraces face north across layered ridges to the snow line, and the Palung valley's farmland lies below. The surrounding forests of oak and rhododendron flower in spring, and Daman has a botanical garden with rhododendron species. Winter sometimes brings snow, which draws day-trippers from Kathmandu.
In the Makwanpur hub, Daman is the viewpoint stop; Chitlang, Markhu and the Kulekhani lake lie to the east, linked by rural roads. Trails from the ridge lead down to the Palung valley and to a small Tibetan Buddhist monastery about half an hour's walk away, and mountain bikers use the long descent towards Palung.
History and culture
The Tribhuvan Rajpath, built in the 1950s with Indian assistance, was the first road linking the Kathmandu Valley with the plains, and Daman grew as a rest stop along it. Traffic dropped after faster highways opened, which left Daman quieter, with farming as the main livelihood.
Near Daman is the Rishishwar Mahadev temple, where water flows between large rocks. According to local legend, Shiva rested here while carrying the body of his wife Sati and struck the rock with his trident to bring out water. Fagu Purnima and Thulo Ekadashi are the main festival days there.
Things to do in Daman
Sunrise viewing
Be at the view tower or a hotel terrace before dawn; clouds usually build by mid-morning.
Botanical garden
Walk among rhododendron and other hill species, best in March and April when they flower.
Rishishwar Mahadev temple
Visit the small Shiva shrine near Daman where spring water flows between rocks.
Weather and the best time to visit Daman
Weather in Daman
Forecast for 2,322 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Oct-Mar
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November bring the clearest views after the monsoon.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- Very clear mornings but cold, with frost and occasional snow that can make the road icy.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- Rhododendron season in March and April; views become hazy later in spring.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- Cloud usually hides the mountains, and the Rajpath is prone to landslides.
Where to stay
HotelsResortsLodges
A handful of hotels, resorts and simple lodges along the highway, many with mountain-facing rooms.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Daman is on the Tribhuvan Rajpath, about 75-80 km south-west of Kathmandu, usually 3-4 hours by road.
Nearest hub: Kathmandu
- roadFrom Kathmandu via Thankot and Naubise onto the Tribhuvan Rajpath, about 3-4 hours by car or local bus.
- roadFrom Hetauda in the south, about 2-3 hours up the Rajpath.
- jeepRural roads connect Daman with Chitlang and the Kulekhani area; conditions vary.
Getting to Daman, by mode
Nearest hub: Kathmandu. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By busfrom Kathmanduabout 3.5-5 hLocal buses
Local buses run the Rajpath from Kathmandu via Naubise, and up from Hetauda in the south in about 2 to 3 hours.
When to set off: take an early bus: Rajpath services are sparse and the ridge is best reached before dusk
By car or jeepfrom Kathmanduabout 3-4 h
About 75 to 80 km south-west via Thankot and Naubise onto the Tribhuvan Rajpath, which climbs in long sequences of hairpins.
Road: Sealed but very narrow and endlessly winding, with monsoon-damaged and repaired sections; drive it in daylight.
When to set off: leave Kathmandu by 07:00 to be on the ridge for the afternoon, and stay the night for the dawn view
By motorbikefrom Kathmanduabout 3-4.5 hModerate riding
The Rajpath is a classic ride, but the hairpins are relentless and the surface broken in places; cold and fog on the ridge matter in winter.
Road: Sealed, narrow and tightly winding with broken patches; icy on shaded bends in some winters.
When to set off: start at first light for the climb
Where people go next
- Kathmanduby bus, about 3.5-5 hBack down the Rajpath via Naubise.
- Chitlangby car or jeep, about 1.5-2.5 hNorth-east on rural roads to the Chitlang valley.
- Kulekhani (Indra Sarowar)by car or jeep, about 1.5-2.5 hEast to the reservoir and Markhu.
- Makwanpurby car or jeep, about 1.5-2.5 hThe wider district around the Rajpath and the lake.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed. The view tower and botanical garden may charge small entry fees.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Daman, Nepal (Wikipedia).
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Daman
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Daman sits on the Tribhuvan Rajpath, an unbroken series of climbs and descents through the hills, and the road is prone to landslides and slope failures in the June to September rains.
Road blockageshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon slips typically block or narrow sections of the Rajpath on both the Naubise and Hetauda sides, so journey times in July and August are unpredictable.
Coldmoderate in a typical yearDec-Feb
At 2,322 m December to February mornings are below freezing with heavy frost, and lodge rooms are poorly heated.
Snowmoderate in a typical yearDec-Feb
Snow falls on the Daman ridge in some winters and can leave the Rajpath icy on the shaded bends above the village.
Othermoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
From June to August cloud usually hides the Himalayan panorama, which is the whole point of coming up here.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Nights are cold year-round and freezing in winter; bring a warm jacket.
- The Rajpath is narrow and winding; avoid driving after dark or in heavy rain.
- Carry cash; there are few banking facilities in Daman.
- Mobile signal is usually good on the ridge.
Questions about Daman
How far is Daman from Kathmandu?
About 75-80 km by the Tribhuvan Rajpath, usually 3-4 hours by road.
Can you see Everest from Daman?
On very clear days the panorama stretches from Dhaulagiri in the west towards Everest in the east.
Does it snow in Daman?
Snow falls on some winter days, usually between December and February.
When is the best time to visit Daman?
October to February for clear views, and March-April for rhododendron flowers.
More in Makwanpur
All of Makwanpur
Town or village · 1,550 m
Markhu
A lakeside village on the Indra Sarowar reservoir, the base for boating and fish lunches at Kulekhani.
Lake · 1,530 m
Kulekhani (Indra Sarowar)
A long hydropower reservoir in the Makwanpur hills south-west of Kathmandu, with boating, lakeside villages and forested shores.
Nearby
Valley or region
Makwanpur
Mahabharat hills just over the south-west rim of the Kathmandu Valley: a Newar valley, a hydropower lake and a high viewpoint on the old Rajpath.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Daman, Nepal (Wikipedia), Daman (Nepal) (Wikivoyage)