Shivapuri National Park Hike

The Shivapuri Nagarkot Hike starts at the secret site of Budhanilakantha, 9 km from Thamel. If you are driving by private car or Jeep, then you can drive till Shivapuri National Park Gate, Panimuhan, and 1 km further from Budhanilkantha. Before checking into National Park, you need to make sure you have prohibited items with you, such as lighters, matches, knives,cigarettes, and alcohol, and cannot do any acts to harm nature, animals, or national park tickets. This is a less crowded and more pristine destination that provides excellent mountain views of the Ganesh Himal, Langtang, and Annapurna. The trail begins on the road inside dense forest and turns east below the Nagi Gumba. Then, in 25 munities ascending, you will get to Nagi Gumba, where you can get some food at Gumba. As Nagi Gumba is the last shop and there is no proper water resource till Bagdwar, you need to fill up your water bottle and suggest taking some snacks as well. You need to have lunch at the Nagi Monastery. From here, a nice Kathmandu Valley view can be seen in a clear day. After lunch, you will further trek up to the top of Shivapuri Hill. Nowadays, the National Park does not allow you to spend overnight inside the park, so you need to walk to Chisapani or back to Kathmandu. From Nagi Gumba, the trail goes steep up through several steps in the rhododendron forest and offers a nice view of Kathmandu Valley. You will get to Bagdwar (the origin spot of the Sacred Bagmati River) after 2 hours of walking. If you walk 30 to 40 inutes, you will get to Shivapuri Peak (2,732 m), where the saint Govindananda Bharati, known as Shivapuri Baba (1826–1963) was mediated. It offers nature beauties, unique culture, and diverse flora and fauna in Shivapuri National Park. This is a way for anyone wishing to truly get away from the distractions of urban life; it is a perfect retreat. From Baghdwar Gumba, a 3-hour walk leads to your Chisapani trek. Stay overnight at Chisapani.

Following breakfast, the trail led us to Nagarkot (2156 m), where we spent a strenuous day hiking and saw stunning views of the mountains and a traditional Nepalese village. Once you arrive in Nagarkot, take in the breathtaking sunset views and the expansive, breathtaking views of numerous Himalayan ranges, including the 8,848-meter-high Mount Everest. Among the many incredible beauties of Nagarkot, sunrise & sunset views over mountains are some of the best. Stay overnight at a hotel in Nagarkot.

Trek from Nagarkot to Changunarayan, which takes approximately 3 to 4 hours and drive from Changunarayan to Kathmandu via Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which takes 2 hours and explore the Durbar complex. The most popular walk leads down from Nagarkot along a ridge to the temple of Changu Narayan, with views of Sankhu village to the right and Bhaktapur to the left. Changunarayan is situated at the end of a long ridge that runs well into the valley. It is the oldest temple in the valley, said to have been built in 323 AD by King Hari Datta Varma. The temple is richly decorated with sculptures and carvings. There are still more remark sites;  one of the oldest cities in the Kathmandu valley, "Bhaktapur,” is known as the Living Museum. The old brick-paved enclave of the old royal palace, Nyathapola Temple, and Datatriya Temple's exquisite artwork offer a picture of the grandeur of medieval Nepal.