A Day hike to Shivapuri

About A Day hike to Shivapuri

Shivapuri Hill Day Hike is a short walk to the second tallest peak around Kathmandu valley- Shivapuri hill that sits at 2732 m (8963ft) above sea level 1400m above the Kathmandu valley. Throughout your hike, you will be walking in the Shivapuri national park, the closest national park to the capital city. 

Covering an area of 159 sq. km in total, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park lies on the northern peripheral of Kathmandu valley. It sits more or less 12 km away from the capital city center. Famed as the country's 9th national park (among 12), Shivapuri national park was established in 2002. 

This conservation area (national park) works as a transition zone between subtropical and temperate climates. Therefore, the flora consists of various natural forest types such as pine, oak, rhododendron, etc., depending on altitude and aspect. 

This national park also shelters numerous exotic wildlife, including mammalian species such as Himalayan Black bears, leopards, jungle cats, and rhesus monkeys. All in all, it is home to 177 species of birds, including at least nine threatened species, 102 species of butterflies with several rare and endangered species, along 129 species of mushroom.

The day hike to Shivapuri hill begins after a short drive to Budhanilkantha, a holy place that shelters one of the largest statues of Lord Vishnu (sleeping position). We shall start and end our hike here. Walking upwards, we reach the entrance of Shivapuri national park (army camp) within 15 minutes. 

Obtaining the permits and regulations, we enter the forested land and walk through the sprawling forest to Shivapuri, natural environment, following the well-maintained peaceful trekking route. Reaching the 'Helipad,' we have two alternative routes to reach Shivapuri peak: Nagi Gompa and another straightforward way. If you want to see the nuns, monasteries, listen to the religious chants, take the path to Nagi Gompa, which is a bit longer yet less strenuous. 

But, if you want to escape these all and want to reach faster, take the way to Deurali. This route has stone steeps throughout and is well fermented. 

Once we reach Deurali, both the trail confluence and form a single trail that leads to the Baghdwar, the source of Holy River Bagmati flowing nearby Holy place Pashupatinath, which is supposed to come from the mouth of Tiger. From here, we can witness the astonishing sceneries of Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, and Gaurishankar Himal to the east. 

Now, it is just an hour hike to Shivapuri hill. The trail splits here, leading to Sundarijal and another to Shivapuri peak. We choose the left and ascend via deeply forested lands of bamboo, rhododendron trees reaching our final destination. 

As Shivapuri hill falls under the national park, there are no single teahouses throughout the trail. Thus, we need to carry a packed lunch while hiking. After having the packed food on the top, we walk back to Budhanilkantha, almost following the same ascent trail. It will take roughly 6-7 hours to complete this journey. 

A couple of optional hikes are connected with this trail; if you do not wish to begin and end your trip in the same place, you can sum up in either Kapan Gompa or Sundarijal. 

Best time to hike Shivapuri hill

Short and easy hike near Kathmandu, there is no specific month for hiking Shivapuri. Therefore, walking to Shivapuri can be organized throughout the year. However, September to early June is considered the best time for hiking Shivapuri.

The weather and temperatures are favorable; the views are crystal, and the skies are mostly clear. In spring (the months from March to May), you will be welcomed by the rhododendron and other seasonal flower blossoms throughout the hiking route.

How is the trail like for Shivapuri hill?

Shivapuri hill hike is one of the most popular short hikes around Kathmandu valley, where the trekking trail is well-established, maintained, and comfortable for walking. You will see staircases throughout the trekking route that help you walk easily, even if the surrounding is slippery.

Despite being totally inside the national park, the trail is easily recognizable and never confusing. This national park is famous for the royals (the then kings and queens). Initially established for the conservation is hunting, a refreshing area for royals ultimately changed into a national park. Two separate conservation areas, Shivapuri and Nagarjun, combined into a national park- Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park.

Permits and restrictions

You need to buy specific permits for the Shivapuri hill hike as you enter a national park. A federal park entry permit is obligatory to buy, which costs NPR 600 per person per entry for the SAARC nationals and NPR 1000 per person per entry for the foreign nationals.

If you hire a guide from Kathmandu, you need to pay just NPR 1000 for nature conservation purposes. However, if you are walking solo, you need to hire a nature guide on the spot that costs another NPR 2000. In addition, entering the national park without a guide is strictly prohibited.

Why hike Shivapuri?

Several reasons are behind why you should hike to Shivapuri peak.

• It is one of the short hikes around Kathmandu.
• You will witness the nearest national park from Kathmandu valley.
• Will be free from the rustic lifestyle of Kathmandu; will immerse yourself in nature.
• We Will witness magnificent views of the Kathmandu valley, Langtang mountain range, Mt. Manaslu, and neighboring peaks.
  It can be done as a preparation hike for higher elevated journeys as Everest base camp, Annapurna circuit, Annapurna base camp, Manaslu Circuit, Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Langtang valley, etc.
• Alternative routes for Shivapuri hill

As already mentioned, numerous trekking routes are available to reach Shivapuri peak; Sundarijal to Shivapuri peak, Nagi Gumba to Shivapuri, Kakani to Shivapuri peak, Pani Muhan to Shivapuri peak, and so on. These routes are mostly interconnected. Depending on your pace, strength, willing and fitness, you can choose any of them.

However, the easiest and most popular, less confusing hiking route for Shivapuri is Budhanilkantha – Pani Muhan – Nagi Gumba – Deurali – Bagdwar – Shivapuri hill – Bagdwar – Deurali – Pani Muhan – Budhanilkantha.

What to expect while hiking Shivapuri hill?

Choosing any route, you will find almost the same sorts of vegetation (mostly sub-tropical), wildlife, and views. The trails are well maintained to the top via staircases, even inside the core jungle. The mountains' views are astonishing, the jungle is lavish green, and the waterfalls are quite photogenic.

Visit the source of the holy Bagmati River that begins from the metal statue of the tiger's mouth. The entire hill seems colorful in the spring months, mostly decorated with rhododendron flowers. You will also come to see Budhanilkantha temple (a sacred Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu) and Nagi Gumba (Situated at an altitude of 1650 m above sea level at the northeastern side of Kathmandu valley is the only monastery for nuns who practice Buddhism) during the trek.

In all, it is an outstanding outing from Kathmandu valley if you have time in Kathmandu, unlimited desire to explore nature, religious shrines, and cultural aspects of here.

How difficult is the Shivapuri hill hike?

Renowned as a short day hike near Kathmandu, the Shivpuri hill is graded as an easy hike inside the Shivapuri-Nagarjun national park. Hikers with a moderate fitness level with strong mental determination can complete this hike without any difficulty. However, the hiker should walk gradually uphill and downhill for almost 6 hours throughout the trek.

Can I hike Shivapuri hill alone?

NO! Hiking inside a national park alone is strictly prohibited; you should have a guide. Both city and trekking guides are eligible to guide you for this hike. However, you do not need any nature guide for this journey.

How about food and drinks on the way?

In Nepal, establishing any construction inside the national park/conservation area/restricted regions is generally not allowed. So, it is applicable in this park as well. There are no single teahouses throughout the trail, and you need to carry needed snacks, food items, and water bottles from the shops available nearby the entry point.