A hike around the Kathmandu Valley is the best idea to escape urban life. There are several hiking spots around the Kathmandu Valley for a day hike or multi-day hike. Nagarjun Hike is one of the best day hikes around Kathmandu, where you can see wildlife, birds, natural scenery, and amazing mountain scenery. Nagarajun Shivapuri National Park is easily accessible from Kathmandu, the capital city. The famous Buddhist shrine Nagarjuna (Jamacho) is situated at the top of the hill at 2,128 m, about 7 km from Kathmandu, in the northwest of Kathmandu, a part of Shivapuri National Park. It takes about 20 minutes to drive from the tourist hub in Thamel to the entry gate at Fulbari Gate, Goldhunga, Balaju, and then 2 and a half hours of walking. The Nagarjuna Hike is also known as Kathmandu Hiking, and the trail is quite a steep climb of about 754 m.
There are several hiking routes for Nagarjun Jamacho, but you can begin your Kathmandu hike from the Gate of Nagarjuna near Balaju Bypass. The etymology of its name, Nagarjun, is based on the mythological claimthat it’s the location where Acharya Nagarjun meditated in the cave. Some of the scriptures say that Nagarjun was born in the 5th–4th century BCE,400 years after the death of the historical Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, and lived for 600 years. Acarya Nagarjuna founded the Madhyamika tradition of Buddhism. He is also credited with developing the philosophy of the "Pragyaparmita Shutra." The 2,000-page book was a written golden and sliver scripture in Ranjana Lipi, brought from the Ngas Lok in this world two thousand years ago. Now, only one book in the world, Pragyaparmita Shutra, can be seen at the Bikramsheel Mahabihar, "Thabahil’ Kathmandu; it was slowly changed into ‘Thamel’ and this place is now called Thamel. The Thabahil, which means eldest bihar in the Kathmandu Valley, Bikramsheel Mahabihar, is called Bhagwan Bahal too.
We can visit Nagarjuna Cave while hiking the Jamacho Nagarjun Day Hike in Kathmandu. Nagarjun Hill is also described as Vindya Mountain in literature. Here one can feel a peaceful state of mind in the natural setting, and it’s the best place to meditate. Buddha Stupas, ancient caves, and finally Jamacho viewpoint (2128 m) are the main attractions of Nagarjun Hike. Jamacho viewpoint is famous for its setting, from which spectacular Himalayan scenery, including Mt. Dhaulagiri from far west to the Khumbu Himalaya Range, including Mt. Everest, can be seen. Amazing Himalayan scenes of Jugal, Ganesh Himal, and the Langtang region can be closely viewed from here, and the view of Kathmandu Valley is incredible. You can observe Kathmandu Valley, Sawyambhu Hill, and Nuwakot with Buddhist shrines and monasteries in their setting.
Kathmandu Hike is a significant place to visit for short-term visitors to Nepal. The Nagarjun summer palace of the former Nepalese Royals, as well as rock climbing, is another attraction of Nagarjun Hiking. “Nepal Mother House Treks” organizes the Kathmandu Hiking Day Trip perfectly to give you a glimpse of nature with saintly peace of mind near Kathmandu.
Highlights
- A day hike around Kathmandu.
- Famous Buddhist shrine Nagarjuna (Jamacho).
- Camacho is the highest point of the hike (2,128 m).
- Incredible Kathmandu Valley view.
- Amazing snowcapped mountains.
- Visit Nagarjuna Cave, Buddhist Stupa, and Jamacho View Tower.
- Wildlife and vegetation inside Shivapuri National Park.
