- Hike Duration
1 Day – 8 Hours - Transport
Private Vehicle - Max Altitude
2067 Meters - Hikers Numbers
1-18 but Flexible - Best Time of Year
Spring and Autumn - Hike Difficulty
Moderate - Price: 110 or + –
Quick Inquiry
Pax | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 – 1 | US$ 110 |
| 2 – 3 | US$ 70 |
| 4 – 6 | US$ 60 |
| 7 – 12 | US$ 50 |
Overview of the Shivapuri Day Hiking
Dhap Dam, at an elevation of 2,067 meters (6,781 feet) above sea level, is a beautiful man-made reservoir in the Shiva Puri National Park. Its coordinates are approximately 27.805765°N 85.4534783°E, northeast of Kathmandu. The dam hiking is a perfect location to see the magnificent Langtang Himalayan range, with many other peaks on the Rolwaling sides.
Langtang Range Peaks and Dhap dam
The Dhap Dam is an artificial dam standing 24 meters high and spanning 175 meters wide, which holds 850,000 cubic meters of fresh water and is a perfect hiking destination for hikers who are looking for peace and a nature experience. The Hike also takes you to a very popular hiking destination, Chisapani, from where you can enjoy the panoramic views of the Himalayas. The Hike also provides an opportunity to see the local lifestyles at the Mulkharka Village.
The Dhap Dam Hiking is a perfect escape from Kathmandu, where you can enjoy nature, scenery and landscapes as well as some local people and their villages. The Dhap Dam Hiking and Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking can be combined.
Key Takeaways
- Easy transportation and access to the hiking trails
- Dhap Dam Hiking is a 5-6-hour hike but offers great views of Kathmandu city, nature, waterfalls and the Langtang Mountain range from the Dhap Dam Ridge
- You can hike with your family and children, too, but be careful that you need to hike up all the way to the top of the Dhap Dam
- This is the same route, hike up and hike down.
Hikers on the way to dhap Dam
Dhap Dam Hiking facts
Trip Name: | Dhap Dam Hiking |
|---|---|
| Duration: | 7-8 Hours, 1 Day |
| Max. elevation: | 2,067 meters (6,781 feet), Dhap Dam |
| Start | Sundarijal |
| Ends | Sundarijal |
| Difficulty | Moderate-Easy |
| Best Time | Spring and Autumn Season |
| Permits: | Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park Permits 1000 Rs Non Nepali and 100 Rs for Nepali |
| Shops on the way | Yes |
Things to Know before you go Dhap Dam Hiking
- The trails are well marked, but in Mulkharka Village, there is a road which leads you to the Dhap Dam; you need to follow that road.
- The weather is uncertain, so you need to bring a rain cover or an umbrella
- Carry enough drinking water with you (2 litres each)
- The Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park opens around 7:00 AM in the morning and closes at 5:00 PM in the evening, and the tickets are available at Sundarijal Check Points.
- If you like to have peace, do not go there on Saturday or Sunday. Usually, School and college students also hike these days.
- The Hike is not a loop, so you hike and hike back the same way, and at the start near Mulkharka, there are many stairs to climb
- Please do not leave the garbage there. If you bring food, do not leave the waste plastic and other stuff there. The waste is beeing everywhere on the trails because there is no place to dump it, even if they dump wild animals and take it out while they search for food.
- Always go with the group because sometimes you may encounter a monkey or even other wild animals.
- You can also ride by motorbike up to the Dhap Dam.
Dhap Dam Hiking highlights
The Dhap Dam hiking is an excellent hiking trail, which includes the following things that you may experience in your Dhap Dam hiking:
- Lush forest with many water streams along the trails.
- Sundarijal Water Stations Dams.
- Mulkharka Village and the local lifestyles of the Tamang people.
- Paradise for the Bird Lovers
- Pleasurable walk into Shivapuri National Park.
- Magnificent views of the Himalayas, including Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Gaurishanker and a few peaks of the Rolwaling range.
Dhap Dam Hiking Difficulty
Dhap Dam Hiking is considered to be easy to moderate, depending on your fitness level. If you’re a beginner, this is a great hike to start with. And if you’re regular hikers, then it may be easy for you. The hike is mixed with the stairs and roads, so it is not that hard. The hike is a little bit easier than the Shivapuri day Hiking. The weather factor may be another factor that impacts the difficulty.
Dhap Dam Hiking Itinerary
- 7:00 AM: Pickup from your hotel in Kathmandu, then drive to Sundarijal Bus Park, which takes about an hour.
- 8:00 AM: Start vertical climbing, which is quite steep climbing, almost 45-degree inclines with zig-zag patterns, till the military camp, where you will take the tickets here to enter the National Parks.
- 8:30 AM: Cross the Water Dam and hike towards the Mulkharka Village with multiple stairs and some roads
- 10:30 AM: Reach the halfway point, Mulkharaka, for a short rest and snack and before you enter the forest roads. The trails are very shady with the small river streams along the trails.
- 12:30 PM: Arrive at the Haibung from where the road splits and heads towards Nagarkot and Chisapani
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Dhap Dam. Relax by the water, take photos, and enjoy your packed lunch.
- 2:30 PM: Begin your descent back to Sundarijal with the same roads, retracing the same scenic route.
- 4:30 PM: Reach the entrance of Sundarijal.
- 5:00 PM: Drive back to your hotel in Kathmandu.
Dhap Dam Hiking cost includes
- Fully escorted trek with fluent English speaking license holder local tour guide
- Private vehicle, jeep transportation, pick up from hotel then at the end drop to hotel
- Bottle of Water
- private Transportation from Thamel to Sundarijal and back to Thamel
Cost excludes
- Shivapuri National park fees
- Food during the hike
- Personal hiking equipment and Clothing.
- Personal nature expenses, any drinks and bar bills.
- Your travel insurance (it is mandatory in case of emergency).
- Any donation and monuments entrance fees.
- Tips for the crew (Note : TIPS is not compulsory but highly expected)
- Any other things which are not mentioned above
Dhap Dam Hiking FAQ
Where does the hike start and what is the typical route?
The classic trail begins at Sundarijal (about an hour’s drive from central Kathmandu). You’ll pay your entry fee at the National Park checkpoint and follow the stone stairs up alongside the roaring Sundarijal waterfalls. The trail moves through the traditional Tamang village of Mulkharka, enters deep oak and rhododendron forests, and opens up to the reservoir at Dhap Dam. Most hikers retrace the same route back down.
How difficult is the trail? Can beginners or families do it?
The trail is classified as moderate. The most challenging part is the first 1 to 1.5 hours, which consists of steep, continuous stone stairs leading up to Mulkharka. Once you surpass the village and enter the forest trail, it transforms into a gentle, gradual walk. It is entirely doable for casual hikers and families, provided everyone is comfortable with an upfront cardio climb.
What are the National Park entry fees?
Because Dhap Dam sits entirely inside the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, you must purchase a permit at the Sundarijal army checkpoint. Nepali Citizens pay NPR 100, SAARC Nationalists pay NPR 600, and Foreign Citizens pay NPR 1,000. Please note that the park strictly requires foreign nationals to be accompanied by a licensed guide.
Can I ride a motorbike or drive a vehicle directly to Dhap Dam?
Yes, a rough off-road track exists that reaches the dam without using the hiking stairs. Vehicles usually take the alternative route via Bramhakhel / Gagalfedi / Manichud instead of the Sundarijal hiking trail. The road is entirely unpitched gravel and dirt, featuring steep inclines and rough patches. It is best suited for high-clearance four-wheel drives or sturdy dirt/adventure bikes.
Are there food and water facilities along the trail?
You will find plenty of small local tea shops, eateries, and snack stalls in Sundarijal and throughout Mulkharka Village. However, once you plunge deep into the forest trail beyond Mulkharka, shops disappear entirely until you near the dam. It is highly recommended to carry at least 2 liters of drinking water per person and pack light snacks or a lunch.
Can you swim or boat in Dhap Dam?
No, swimming and boating are strictly forbidden. The reservoir is a critical water management site for the Bagmati basin and has deep, unmonitored drop-offs. It is meant exclusively for visual enjoyment, peaceful picnics, and photography from the dam walls.
Which days are best to avoid the crowds?
If you are looking for absolute peace and quiet, avoid going on Saturdays or major public holidays. Because of its proximity to the valley, Saturday turns Dhap Dam into a major hub for local youth, college groups, and local picnickers. Weekdays offer a vastly more serene, undisturbed nature experience.
What should I worry about during the monsoon season?
Hiking here between June and August is generally discouraged. The stone steps turn incredibly slick, heavy downpours bring risks of trail washouts, and the dense forest sections become heavily infested with leeches.
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