Last Updated: March 9, 2021
Located on the outskirts of Kathmandu, in the northern part of the valley, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park is one beautiful place to escape to and a great destination for a day trip near Kathmandu.
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park offers some fine options for outdoor enthusiasts. There are lots of trails inside the National Park, from a simple 2-hour walk to longer routes. But it isn’t all! Shivapuri is also an amazing place for mountain biking, rock climbing, birdwatching, butterfly watching and canyoning.
The National Park was established in 2002 and comprises two parks: the ‘Shivapuri Park’ and the ‘Nagarjun Park’. Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park’s most famous hiking trails are:
• Budhanilkantha – Shivapuri Peak via the nunnery Nagi Gompa.
• Sundarijal – Chisapani (which is also the start of the Helambu trek).
• Pani Muhan – Kakani via Shivapuri Peak.
• Jamacho Peak in Nagarjun.
Table of Contents
Facts about Shivapuri National Park
Area: 159km2.
Highest peak: Shivapuri Peak (2,732m), the second highest peak in the Kathmandu Valley (after Phulchowki, 2,795m).
Status: 9th National Park of Nepal (established in 2002).
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park is the source of the holy Bagmati river. It is also the primary drinking water source of Kathmandu.
Visitors Information
Hiking Difficulty: Easy.
Duration: 1 to 3 days depending on the trail.
Entry fees for foreigners: 1000NPR + Wildlife fund fee (50NPR).
Note: Hiring a nature guide is now mandatory. The Guide fees vary according to your hiking destination (example: hiking up to Shivapuri Peak is around 2,000NPR).
Make sure you pack your picnic and plenty of water.
Fauna in Shivapuri National Park
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park hosts a myriad of wildlife, including clouded leopards, leopard cats, Indian civets, golden jackals, Himalayan black bears, yellow-throated martens, Asian mongooses, Himalayan gorals, barking deer, wild boars, rhesus monkeys, Hanuman langurs, Chinese pangolins, Indian pangolins, and bats.
The National Park is home to 318 species of birds and 106 species of moths and butterflies.
Know that you can choose your guide beforehand and if you choose well (more specifically a birding and wildlife guide), it can increase your chances of seeing wildlife you may not otherwise notice.
The Different Hikes in Shivapuri
SUNDARIJAL DAY HIKES
Sundarijal is the starting point of many hikes inside the Shivapuri National Park. It is also one of my favorite parts of the National Park. Among the best hikes, four stand out:
• Sundarijal – Chisapani hike: It is also the start of the Helambu trek. Probably the most beautiful hike inside the Shivapuri National Park. Sundarijal to Chisapani is a 5 to 6-hour walk. Most of the hikers spend the night at Chisapani and return back the next day.
• Sundarijal – Chisapani – Nagarkot hike: This hike takes 2 days / 1-night or 3 days / 2 nights depending on whether you want to spend the night in Nagarkot and hike to Changunarayan the next day or directly drive back to Kathmandu from Nagarkot. The hike from Chisapani to Nagarkot takes about 7-8 hours. And the hike from Nagarkot to Changunarayan takes about 5 hours.
• Sundarijal – Budhanilkantha (or Budhanilkantha to Sundarijal): This hike takes about 6-7 hours.
• Sundarijal – Mulkharka – Sundarijal: This short hike takes about 3 to 4 hours (way up and way down).
Krishna and I spent a lot of time in Sundarijal. A few years back, we used to go every weekend so we kind of knew our way around. Last time Krishna and I went to Sundarijal, we did not follow any trail and it was great. That’s actually how we found old abandoned houses and great swimming spots.
SHIVAPURI PEAK DAY HIKES
Budhanilkantha / Pani Muhan HQ is the main starting point of the hikes up to the Shivapuri Peak (2,732m):
• Pani Muhan – Shivapuri Peak via Nagi Gompa and Baghdwar: This hike is probably the most popular and takes about 6-7 hours.
• Pani Muhan – Shivapuri Peak via Chhap Bhanjyang and Baghdwar: This hike also takes about 6-7 hours.
• Pani Muhan – Kakani: This hike is very challenging and takes about 8 hours.
Tips: The hikes up to Shivapuri Peak are tougher than the hikes we did in Sundarijal. The stairs up to the peak are endless. Bring a trekking pole! It really helps on your way down.
NAGARJUN DAY HIKES
Nagarjun is now part of the National Park since 2009. Fulbari Gate is the starting point of all the hikes located in Nagarjun.
Nagarjun is a small forest compared to Shivapuri but there are still plenty of different hiking routes:
• Fulbari Gate – Jamacho Peak: The hike takes about 5-6 hours.
• Fulbari Gate – Buffalo Cave – Yakabuddha cave or Bich cave: The hiking time depends on the caves you visit. Fulbari Gate – Buffalo Cave – Yakabuddha cave is about 10km and Fulbari Gate – Buffalo Cave – Bich cave is about 14km.
• Fulbari Gate – Jhangpal waterfall: This hike is about 22 km.
• Fulbari Gate – Mudkhu – Yeindada – Jamacho: This is the longest hike. This trail goes all around the Nagarjun forest. This hike is about 27 km.
For all those hikes, bring your own picnic and water bottles (we recommend LifeStraw, a very convenient water filter bottle).
Other activities in Shivapuri National Park
Mountain Biking
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park is an amazing destination for mountain biking, everything from jeep trails to awesome singletracks. The trails are fun but challenging. To be able to ride inside the National Park, you have to pay an additional cycling fee (NPR150).
Canyoning
There is one spot in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park where you can go canyoning. The company organizing canyoning is named Chhango and is located in Sundarijal.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is usually organized inside the Nagarjun Forest. The climbing routes range from grade 4a to 7b+.
How to get to Shivapuri National Park?
If your starting point is Budhanilkantha/ Pani Muhan
You can get to Budhanilkantha temple by bus from Lainchaur or Jamal Bus Stand (around 25NPR). Ask the driver to stop at Budhanilkantha.
If your starting point is Sundarijal
You can get to Sundarijal by bus from Ratna Park toward Sundarijal.
If your starting point is Nagarjun (Fulbari Gate)
It is located near Thamel. You can get to Nagarjun by bus from Lainchaur toward Balaju Bypass.
You can also get to all these destinations:
• By taxi.
• By Tootle, a Nepali app that allows you to get an easy ride inside Kathmandu by matching you with bikers who are on your way.
• By Pathao, same kind of app as above but working with cars as well.
Where to stay near Shivapuri National Park?
Shivapuri Heights Cottages is probably the best place to stay near Shivapuri National Park. Their rooms are very nice and the staff is very friendly. The views over the city are quite awesome. They also have a Jaccuzi, a small pool and a spa.
Green Valley Resort is also a good choice. It is conveniently located inside the Shivapuri National Park. They offer different kinds of rooms, from tents to cottages.
For more travel inspiration in Nepal, visit my Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/paris_kathmandu/
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