Shivapuri Peak Day Hike

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.