Take a taxi to the Nagarjun gate on the south-east edge of the forest, buy your park ticket and start walking early. A forest track leads uphill, then a steep stepped path climbs through dense forest, mostly in shade, to the hilltop and Jamacho Gumba, a small monastery with a white stupa and long lines of prayer flags. On our map the climb is about 3 km with 520 m of ascent, and operators allow two to three hours for it. Rest at the top, enjoy the view across the Kathmandu Valley, then come back down the same way, which is faster than the climb. Nothing is sold on the trail, so carry water and lunch. A taxi at the gate can take you back to town.
Nagarjun Jamacho Day Hike
A one-day hike from the Nagarjun gate of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park up a forest track and stepped path to Jamacho monastery (about 2,100 m) and back, 6.2 km with 520 m of climbing.
- Days1
- Max altitude2,128 m
- Distance6.2 km
- Ascent518 m
- DifficultyEasy
- Best monthsOct–Nov, Mar–Apr
- Permits1
Photo: Pratap Baniya · CC BY-SA 4.0
This itinerary is a draft and hasn't been verified yet. Always confirm stages with your guide.
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Nagarjun Jamacho Day Hike is a 1-day trek in the Kathmandu Valley region of Nepal that climbs to 2,128 m. Foreign trekkers can find a partner for it on FindTrekkingPartner by posting a trip with their dates, budget and pace. Matches stay private until both trekkers agree, and the service is free. At mid-range rates a licensed guide costs about USD 9 per person over 1 days when four trekkers share, against USD 37 for one trekker alone. The best seasons are Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr. The Nepal Tourism Board April 2023 rule requires a licensed guide in national parks and conservation areas. Local practice differs (checked 19 October 2026): the Khumbu municipality opted out and issues its own trek card, and day hikes are rarely checked, but follow the rule and hire a guide; confirm with your agency. Last verified: October 19, 2026. Sources: Nepal Tourism Board, DNPWC, Department of Immigration.
Sources:Department of Immigration, NepalNepal Tourism BoardDepartment of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation
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Overview
Starts from Nagarjun Gate1 day · max 2,128 m
Best seasons: Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr · Permits: Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry permit (NPR 1,000 for foreigners)
The Nagarjun Jamacho hike is a one-day walk from the Nagarjun (Phulbari) gate of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park to Jamacho Gumba, a small Buddhist monastery on the hilltop at about 2,100 m, and back. On our map the round trip is about 6.2 km with 520 m of climbing, on a forest track and then a stepped path. Operators give four to five hours for the day, including time at the monastery, and one guide puts the climb alone at two to three hours. The hill lies about 5 km north-west of central Kathmandu, a 15 to 20 minute taxi ride from Thamel, so it is the nearest real hill walk to the city. The park entry fee for foreigners is NPR 1,000. There is no food or water for sale on the trail. You need no guide, no flight and no gear beyond walking shoes, water and lunch.
The plan follows two operator itineraries and a Nepal Traveller guide. They agree on the gate start, a steep climb through dense forest and the monastery with prayer flags at the top. Heights differ: sources give 2,096 to 2,164 m for the hilltop and OpenStreetMap gives 2,128 m, so we say about 2,100 m. One operator measures 8.5 km for the round trip; our map route is shorter because it takes the direct stepped path.
What the hike is like
From the gate a forest track climbs through shade, then a stepped path continues steeply through dense forest to the hilltop. The path is described as complete with steps and stairs and is mostly in shade. At the top stand Jamacho Gumba, a stupa and long lines of prayer flags, with the valley spread out below. The forest holds monkeys and birds. Weekdays are quieter than weekends, and the climb is continuous, which can be hard on knees.
Permits and rules
The hill lies inside Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, so the entry permit applies: NPR 1,000 per person for foreigners and NPR 600 for SAARC nationals, per entry, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. Children under 10 enter free. Keep the ticket with you and do not feed the monkeys.
Best season
None of our sources names a season. Clear air gives the best valley views in October to November and March to April, the same months we give for Shivapuri Peak in the same park. In the monsoon the steps are wet and cloud hides the view.
Getting there and away
Take a taxi or motorbike from Kathmandu to the gate; operators quote 15 to 20 minutes from Thamel and the Nepal Traveller guide says the hill is about 5 km from the centre. No fare is published in our sources, so ask the driver before you start and arrange the return ride or walk back to a main road.
Difficulty and fitness
The route is easy to moderate: 520 m of climbing in about 3 km, on steps and stairs. Start early, carry two litres of water and lunch, and wear shoes with grip. Allow four to five hours with time at the top.
Budget notes
The only fee is the park entry, NPR 1,000 for foreigners. Add a taxi each way and food for the day. The costs section shows the taxi rides as lines to check.
Guide rule
Buy the park entry ticket at the gate; no guide check is reported on this route (checked 19 October 2026). See the guide rule by region.
Highlights
- Jamacho Gumba, a small Buddhist monastery with prayer flags on the hilltop
- Views over the whole Kathmandu Valley from a hill only 5 km from the city centre
- Shaded forest path with stone steps and stairs
- Monkeys and forest birds along the way
- A 15 to 20 minute taxi ride from Thamel to the gate
Route map
Route data from OpenStreetMap, not yet checked by our team. Use it for planning, not navigation.
Day by day
What it costs
Estimated all-in cost per person: lodge and food by altitude, transport, permits, and the guide and porters. The more trekkers share a guide and porters, the less each person pays. As of October 2026.
| Style | 1 trekker | 2 trekkers sharing | 4 trekkers sharing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $0–$10* | $0–$10* | $0–$10* |
| Mid-range | $50–$80* | $30–$50* | $20–$40* |
| Comfort | $50–$80* | $30–$60* | $30–$50* |
Share a guide, save money
At mid-range, a solo trekker pays about $50–$80; four trekkers sharing one guide and two porters pay about $20–$40 each (60% less at the top of the range).
Breakdown for 2 trekkers sharing
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permits | $0–$10 | $0–$10 | $0–$10 |
| Guide | — | $10–$30 | $10–$30 |
| Porters | — | $0–$20 | $10–$30 |
Budget uses public transport and no porter; mid-range shares one porter between two trekkers and a private vehicle; comfort gives each trekker a porter. A guide is included where one is required or the style is mid-range or comfort.
Permit fees (official sources)
- Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry permit: NPR 1,000 per entry Source
Not included
No published price found for: Kathmandu to the Nagarjun gate and back. Totals marked * leave these out; ask your agency. Park entry ticket at the gate; no guide check reported (checked 19 October 2026).
Cost sources
- PriceNepal: Nepal Travel Cost Guide 2026 (2026-05-14)
- Third Rock Adventures: Nepal trek budget planner (2026-05-09)
- Himalayan Partner: Guide and porter price in Nepal 2026 (2026-02-10)
- Shikhar Adventure: Annapurna Circuit trek cost (2026-02-03)
- Nepal Tourism Board: Trekking Permit (2026-10-18)
Estimates from operator guides, not quotes. Tips, insurance, gear and Kathmandu hotels are not included; USD at the platform exchange rate.
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Operators give four to five hours for the round trip including time at the monastery, and one guide gives two to three hours each way. Our map shows about 6.2 km and 520 m of climbing.
About 2,100 m. Sources give 2,096 to 2,164 m and OpenStreetMap gives 2,128 m, so quoted heights vary by about 70 m.
Yes, the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry permit, NPR 1,000 per person for foreigners and NPR 600 for SAARC nationals, per the Nepal Tourism Board.
No. One operator notes there are no shops or restaurants on the trail, so bring your own lunch and water.
Yes. Operators rate it easy to moderate, the trail has complete steps and stairs, and the gate is only 15 to 20 minutes from Thamel. The continuous climb can tire knees.
Sources
Along the trail
Stays, medical help, water and sights on each day of the route.
1. Nagarjun Gate
- Samikshya Pharma & RB Dental Clinic · Medical · 1,316 m
- Samikshya Pharmacy & Dental Clinic · Medical · 1,316 m
- Ichangu Ratomate View Spot · Viewpoints · 1,508 m
- रानीबन · Viewpoints · 2,091 m
Show all 5 places
- Samikshya Pharma & RB Dental Clinic · Medical · 1,316 m
- Samikshya Pharmacy & Dental Clinic · Medical · 1,316 m
- Ichangu Ratomate View Spot · Viewpoints · 1,508 m
- रानीबन · Viewpoints · 2,091 m
- Nagarjun hill top · Viewpoints · 2,093 m