Shivapuri Hike: Walking inside National Park

Shivapuri National Park Day Hike is one of the most popular hiking trails that lie quite near to the heart of Nepal, the capital city Kathmandu. Shivapuri National Park is a natural paradise which offers commendable and stunning view of several peaks including Langtang and Rolwaling Himalayas, pleasant nature, holy Bagmati River, amazing view of Kathmandu valley and the magnificent surroundings. It is mainly famous among bird watchers and religious/pilgrimage travelers. This hike lets travelers to explore Budhanilkantha temple, Nangi Gompa, green forest with various flora and fauna, mixed culture and amazing terrace. 

Shivapuri National Park hike begins after breakfast in your hotel. You’ll drive from Kathmandu to Muhan Pokhari approximately 35 minute of driving. After completing the formalities at the Shivapuri entrance gate, you’ll enter into the Shivapuri watershed and wildlife area and your hike begins. You will follow the trail that proceeds next to the rugged path via dense forest including various flora and fauna for one and a half hours until you reach to Nangi Gompa, where a nunnery monastery is located. Further monastery, the trail goes steeply uphill via rhododendron, oak, pine and bamboo forest for a couple of hours. While walking, you will enjoy the melody of chirping birds and monkeys gaze which makes feel like you are in treat. After reaching at the top of the hill you will encounter the stunning views of Langtang-Lirtung, Roalwaling, Dorjj Lhakpa, green hills and magnificent surroundings. While returning back to Kathmandu you will visit Budhanilkantha temple.

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

Situated on the northern edge of the Kathmandu valley, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park occupies 159 square kilometers and is around 12 kilometers distant from the capital city. In 2002, the region was designated as the eighth national park in the nation. It was governed by the Shivapuri Watershed Development Board before being designated as a national park. Later, it was renamed as the Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve.

Shivapuri is located in an area where the climates of temperate and subtropical regions meet. Depending on the aspect and height, the vegetation consists of a range of natural forest kinds, such as pine, oak, and rhododendron. Mammalian species including the Himalayan Black bear, leopard, jungle cat, and rhesus monkey have all been observed in the park. In addition, 127 different types of mushrooms, 102 different species of butterflies, including some rare and endangered ones, and 177 different species of birds, including at least nine vulnerable species, may be found in the park.

One of the primary water sources for the Kathmandu Valley is Shivapuri. About 30 million liters of water are drawn daily from several smaller streams and rivers including the Bagmati and Bishnumati.

From Kathmandu, the park is easily accessible. Trekking is the main draw for visitors to the park. The park is traversed by trekking paths leading to Gosaikunda, Helambu, Nagarkot, and Langtang National Park. Within the park are a number of Buddhist and Hindu sacred sites. Mid-April is Nepalese New Year's Day, when pilgrims from the Kathmandu valley and surrounding regions swarm to Baghdwar and Bishnudwar in the park, the source of the holy rivers Bagmati and Bishnumatii. From the northern parts of the park, visitors may enjoy breath-taking vistas of the high Himalayas. Similarly, the southern park hills offered expansive vistas of the Kathmandu valley.

We Shepherd Holidays assist you in exploring the hidden hiking routes around Kathmandu valley within the Kathmandu Valley Rim (KVR) hiking series. This hiking allows you to traverse through the epic hillstation surrounding the Kathmandu Valley including Phulchowki, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Kakani, Godavari, Chovar, Shivapuri.