• Hike Duration
    1 Day – 8 Hours
  • Transport
    Private Vehicle
  • Max Altitude
    2750 Meters
  • Hikers Numbers
    1-18 but Flexible
  • Best Time of Year
    Spring and Autumn
  • Hike Difficulty
    Easy
  • Price: 89 or + –

Overview of the Shivapuri Day Hiking

Shivapuri Day Hiking is a perfect day Hiking near Kathmandu to see the Langtang Himalayan range as well as enjoy the nature around Kathmandu. The Shivapuri National park is one of the water resources for the citizen who is living in Kathmandu and is also home to thousands of flora and fauna, Thus it is also a paradise for those who love to see the birds. The Shivapuri is the second-highest hill station in the Kathmandu valley after Fulchowki. The location and the height of the hill itself are perfect points to see the Langtang Himalayan range. The Langtang Himalayan range is perfectly visible from here so the traveller would love to go there. Mountains like Ganesh Himal, Langtang-Lirung, Dorji Lhakpa and many other numerous peaks are widely visible from here if the day is very clear. The hike itself is a challenging walk due to its accent, there are many stairs on the way to the top of Shivpuri.


The hike starts from the Muhanpani which is very near to the Budhanilkantha temple then goes through the road until Nagi Gompa, where there are hundreds of monks who are living and studying over there. On the way to Shivaapuri Peaks, there is a place called Baghdwar. This is the source of Holy River Bagmati flowing nearby Holy pilgrimage place Pashupatinath. From the top of Shivapuri, you can see Mt. Ganesh Himal, Mt. Langtang Lirung, Mt. Langtang Ri, Ganjala Peak, Dorje Lakpa and many other peaks as well as Mt. Gaurishanker.


Key Takeaways

  • Shivapuri hike is one of the best hiking that you can do near the Kathmandu
  • Shivapuri hiking is 5-6 Hours hike but offers the great views of the Kathmandu city, nature, water falls and Langtang Mountain range from the top of Shivapuri
  • You can hike with your family and children too but be careful that you need to hike accent all the way to the top of the Shivapuri top
  • There are multiple routes which you can follow to hike and has a quick access with the Kathmandu city

Shivapuri Day Hiking facts

Trip Name:
Shivapuri Day Hiking facts
Duration:6-7 Hours, 1 Day
Max. elevation:2800 Meter, Shivapuri Peak
StartPani Muhan
EndsPani Muhan
DifficultyEasy
Best TimeSpring and Autumn Season
Permits:Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park Permits
1000 Rs if you are non Nepali
Shops on the wayNo

Things to Know before you go Shivapuri Hiking

  • There is Local guides office in the check post for the National park. They may force you to take but if you can also avoid it by paying some fees to them.
  • The weather is uncertain so you need to bring the rain cover or umbrella
  • bring the enogh drinking water with you (2 liters each)
  • The Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park Opens around 7:00 AM early in the morning and closes at 5:00 PM in the evening.
  • If you like to have peace do not go there on Friday and Saturday. Usually, School Kids in the city goes hiking and colleagues students too.
  • Hiking in the National park is not as easy as it seems. The trail has a lot of stairs and steps that can be hard to walk on. Many people who have gone hiking there have said that it is very steep and takes a lot of effort to climb. It can take only 4-5 hours to climb 1450 meters which can be challenging for some hikers.
  • 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.

Shivapuri Day Hiking highlights

The Shivapuri day hiking, is excellent hiking trail which includes the following things that you may experience in your Shivapuri hiking

  • Large forest with many falls and water station for the Kathmandu people
  • Budhanilkantha Temple.
  • Nagi monastery and monks of the monastery.
  • Pleasurable walk in to Shivapuri National Park.
  • Magnificent views of Himalayas including Annapurna range, Manasalu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Gaurishanker and a few peaks of Rowling range.
  • Very beautiful forest walks with abundant rhododendron trees.
  • Pleasurable hiking to the route.
  • Stunning view from Shivapuri.

Shivapuri Day Hiking itinerary

Driving Duration: 45 Minutes
Hiking Duration: 7-8 Hours

Early morning our guide will pick up you from the hotel. You can mention your time but we recommend you to go earlier as you go early you may see the view from Shivapuri Very clearly. After 45 minutes drive, you will reach to Budhanilkantha temple, where you will spend some time here. Afterwards, the Car goes to Muhan Pokhari and drops us there. Now we get the permits and start our walk/hike. You need to carry the water and some dry fruit or any fruit because there is no place to eat on the way to Shivapuri. The trails to Nagi Gompa is easy then the stairs begins. You will definitely enjoy the walking here which will be around 4 hours hike to the top of Shivapuri. From Shivapuri you can see the stunning views of Himalayas.


Shivapuri hiking from budhanilkantha

Shivapuri hiking from Budhanilkantha is the main hiking point of the Shivapuri hiking. As you arrive at Budhanilkantha you continue to go Muhan Pokhari where there is a check post. From check post, you have a 1 big trail until a little bit before Nagi Monastery. The Nagi Monastry trail is longer and easier while the straight way to Shivapuri is quite difficult

Shivapuri hiking routes

There are many Shivapuri hiking routes to hike to Shivapuri, Here we have described some routes which are very popular among the hikers. Have a look here

  • Budhanilkantha – Check Post – Nagi Monastry – Shivapuri

    This route is very famous for the hikers, You can see the Budhanilkantha Temple as well as Buddhist Nagi Monastery. Walking is quite easier from this route as you avoid the stairs. There are stairs on this route as well but not like the other one.

  • Budhanilkantha – Check Post – Shivapuri

    This route is difficult as compared to the first route. The trail climbs the stairs near the Nagi Monastery. You will avoid the Nagi Monastery and climbs the Zig Zack trails to Shivapuri. The trail is quite more physically demanding. But this is 1 Hour shorter than the first route.

  • Budhanilkantha – Danda Gaun – Bhanjyang

    This route is used to be a highway before. After they have made a new highway, you can hike through here to Bhanjayng. this is more relaxing walking with the view of Kathmandu. You can see the mountains only from Bhanjyang. This route is quite long as compared to the route of above. If you hike on this route you would not go to the Top of Shivapuri

Getting to Shivpuri national park

Getting to Shivapuri national park is very easy. As most of you stay in Thamel, we come to pick up you in your hotel. Afterwards together we drive to Budhanilkantha then to the Check post of Shivapuri National park which is 5 minutes drive from here.

Shivapuri Hiking Map

shivapuri hiking map is for the shivapuri hikers. there are not special kind of maps however, you can find the small map in some map house. You are going with us that means you don’t need map. For Illustration we have given here shivapuri hiking map

Shivapuri Hiking map
Shivapuri Hiking map

Shivapuri Day 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
  • Transportation from Bhanjyang to Kathmandu

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

Shivapuri Day Hike faq

How long is Shivapuri hiking distance?

Shivapuri day hiking is about 18-20 Km long from Pani Muhan to Nagi Gompa to shivapuri peak and back to Pani Muhan. This is one of the very popular hiking trails to hike to Shivapuri.



Is Shivapuri a one-day hike?

Yes, Shivapuri is a 1-day hike and takes about 6-7 hours from Starting point Pani Muhan to the ending point Pani Muhan.



How difficult/hard is Shivapuri Day Hiking?

Hiking is not as easy as people say on websites. It has a lot of stairs and steps which are built by the National park which you may find difficult to climb. Most of the hikers always complain about the stairs and accent here because you would climb 1450 Meters in just 4-5 hours.



How much do they charge for the permits of Shivapuri national park?

The Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park permits cost about 1000 Rs if you are non-Nepali. If you are Nepali then it cost Rs 100.



Are there local guides for the Shivapuri Day Hiking?

Yes, there are local guides associations and they force you to take the local guides from there. The local guides are for your safety and security. All the local hikers and international hikers need to take guides. But you can avoid it by paying the minimum charge.


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