Take a micro-bus or taxi to Budhanilkantha and walk to the park gate, a short way beyond the temple. Buy your ticket, then follow the park road to Nagi Gompa, where a nunnery sits in the forest, and continue on the forest path through Baghdwar, a source of the Bagmati river, to Shivapuri Peak. The climb is about 6 km, with about 1,090 m of ascent, and takes about four hours. Rest at the summit, which is 2,732 m, then return by the same route, about two to three hours, so that you finish before dark. Carry two litres of water and a lunch.
Shivapuri Peak Day Hike
A one-day hike from the Budhanilkantha gate of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park through Nagi Gompa to Shivapuri Peak (2,732 m) and back, about 12 km with 1,090 m of climbing.
- Days1
- Max altitude2,732 m
- Distance12.2 km
- Ascent1,089 m
- DifficultyModerate
- Best monthsOct–Nov, Mar–Apr
- Permits1
Photo: Alexey Komarov · CC BY-SA 4.0
This itinerary is a draft and hasn't been verified yet. Always confirm stages with your guide.
Written by FindTrekkingPartner teamReviewed by FindTrekkingPartner teamHow we reviewFindTrekkingPartner
Shivapuri Peak Day Hike is a 1-day trek in the Kathmandu Valley region of Nepal that climbs to 2,732 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 Budhanilkantha1 day · max 2,732 m
Best seasons: Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr · Permits: Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry permit (NPR 1,000 for foreigners)
The Shivapuri Peak hike is a one-day walk from the Budhanilkantha gate of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park to the summit of Shivapuri, 2,732 m, and back, a route of about 12 km with about 1,090 m of climbing that takes six to seven hours for most walkers. The trail follows the park road to Nagi Gompa, a nunnery in the forest, then climbs through Baghdwar, a source of the Bagmati river, to the top, where on a clear morning you see the Kathmandu Valley below and the Langtang and Ganesh Himal ranges beyond. There is no food on the trail, so carry water and lunch. The park entry fee for foreigners is NPR 1,000. It needs no guide, no flight and no gear beyond boots, water and a rain jacket, and the best months are October to November and March to April.
The plan follows operator descriptions that agree on the Budhanilkantha start, Nagi Gompa and the Bagmati source, and on the six to seven hour timing; one of them measures about 16 km and 1,585 m of gain with extra loops, and ours is the direct route. The height of the peak, 2,732 m, comes from Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap and the operators.
What the hike is like
After the gate the path follows the park road to Nagi Gompa, then a path through oak and rhododendron forest, with stone steps near the top. The Baghdwar spring, a stone spout carved as a face, is on the way. Mist can hide the way on the upper ridge, so carry a map. Monkeys live in the forest and should not be fed.
Permits and rules
The park entry fee is NPR 1,000 for foreigners and NPR 600 for SAARC nationals per entry, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. Carry your ticket on the trail.
Best season
October to November and March to April. In the monsoon the trail is slippery and cloud hides the views.
Getting there and away
Take a micro-bus or taxi from Kathmandu to Budhanilkantha, about 30 to 45 minutes. The gate is a short walk beyond the temple, and the return is the same way.
Difficulty and fitness
The hike is moderate: it climbs about 1,090 m, mostly on stone steps and forest paths, and takes six to seven hours. Good boots, two litres of water and a rain jacket are enough. Start by 7 am so that you are down before the afternoon cloud and before dark.
Budget notes
The only fee is the park entry, NPR 1,000 for foreigners. Add a micro-bus or taxi to Budhanilkantha and lunch. The costs section shows the transfer as a line 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
- Shivapuri Peak at 2,732 m, the highest point of the park
- Nagi Gompa, a nunnery in the forest above Budhanilkantha
- Baghdwar, a source of the Bagmati river
- Oak and rhododendron forest within sight of the city
- A full day hike that starts at a city bus stop
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 Budhanilkantha 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
Six to seven hours for the round trip, according to operators, with about four hours of ascent. Our map shows about 12 km and 1,090 m of climbing each way.
2,732 m, according to Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap and operator pages. One operator listing gives 2,535 m, which looks like an error.
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. Children under 10 enter free.
No. Operators note that there are no food stops, so carry water and lunch. Nagi Gompa is a nunnery, not a restaurant.
Sources
Along the trail
Stays, medical help, water and sights on each day of the route.
1. Budhanilkantha
- Camping · Stays · 1,858 m
- Drinking Water · Practical · 1,989 m
- Baghdwar · Practical · 2,513 m
- Abandoned Hut · Stays · 2,726 m
- View Point · Viewpoints · 2,691 m
- Camp · Stays · 2,344 m