Pullahari Monastery, Kathmandu: Visiting the Ridge-top Gompa

Why go

Pullahari Monastery stands high on a wooded ridge on the northern rim of the Kathmandu Valley, about 3-4 km north-east of Boudhanath stupa and close to Kopan. Its red-and-gold temple buildings face south over the valley, and the quiet grounds, terraced gardens and forest behind make it one of the calmer places to visit within a short drive of the city.

The monastery is the Nepal seat of the Jamgon Kongtrul line of lamas and a centre for long retreats, including the traditional three-year retreat. Visitors can usually see the main temple and the memorial temple to the Third Jamgon Kongtrul, and walk the grounds; inside, the shrine halls hold large statues and wall paintings in the Tibetan style. Being further from the main roads than Kopan, it sees fewer casual visitors.

Many people combine Pullahari with Kopan and Boudhanath in a half-day outing, or walk up from Boudha as a short hike. The ridge sits on the edge of the forested slopes leading towards Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park.

View of Pullahari Monastery and its hillside setting above the Kathmandu Valley. — Photo: Christopher J. Fynn (CC BY-SA 4.0)

History and culture

In 1986 the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, a senior lama of the Karma Kagyu school, accepted an offer of land here to establish a retreat centre. He died in 1992 before the project was complete, and the monastery was developed afterwards by his labrang (household) and students; one directory gives 1996 as the founding date of the monastery as it stands. The name recalls Pullahari, the place in India associated with the Indian master Naropa, an important figure in the Kagyu lineage.

The Fourth Jamgon Kongtrul, born in 1995 and recognised by the Seventeenth Karmapa, was raised partly at Pullahari before leaving monastic life in 2016. The community today is around a hundred monks and retreatants, and the monastery has hosted teachings and Kagyu prayer gatherings attended by students from many countries.

Things to do in Pullahari Monastery

Hike up from Boudha
Walk about 3-4 km from Boudhanath via Kapan or Jagadol, mostly uphill, 1-1.5 hours.
Visit the temples
See the main shrine hall and the memorial temple, removing shoes and keeping quiet if prayers are under way.
Monastery circuit
Combine Pullahari, Kopan and Boudhanath in a half-day by taxi or on foot.

Weather and the best time to visit Pullahari Monastery

Weather in Pullahari Monastery

Forecast for 1,490 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.

Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.

Best time to visit

Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec

Jan
Good month: Feb
Good month: Mar
Good month: Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Good month: Oct
Good month: Nov
Good month: Dec

Autumn (Sep-Nov): October and November are clear with good views over the valley and to the mountains.
Winter (Dec-Feb): December to February is dry and sunny; mornings on the ridge are cold.
Spring (Mar-May): March and April are warm with flowering trees; haze builds through May.
Monsoon (Jun-Aug): June to August is wet; the access road and trails can be muddy and slippery.

Where to stay

GuesthousesHotels

Most visitors stay in Boudha; retreat participants are housed by arrangement with the monastery.

No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.

Getting there

Pullahari is on the northern rim of the valley, north-east of Boudhanath, reached by a steep local road.

Nearest hub: Kathmandu

roadTaxi from Boudhanath, about 4-6 km by road, 20-30 minutes; from Thamel about 45-75 minutes depending on traffic.
walkFrom Boudhanath, about 3-4 km on village roads and paths, 1-1.5 hours uphill.

Getting to Pullahari Monastery, by mode

Nearest hub: Kathmandu. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.

By car or jeepfrom Boudhanathabout 0.3-0.6 h
About 4 to 6 km by road above Boudha; from Thamel allow 45 to 75 minutes. Taxis will usually agree to wait, as return vehicles are scarce at the gate.
Road: Sealed to the village roads above Boudha, then a steep, narrow and partly broken climb to the monastery.
Pullahari Monastery, Namo Buddha centre directory
By motorbikefrom Boudhanathabout 0.3-0.5 hModerate riding
A steep, rough climb with loose patches; easier dry than wet.
Road: Steep narrow hill road with broken and loose sections.
Nepal, Wikivoyage
On footfrom Boudhanathabout 1-1.5 h1-1.5 h from Boudhanath, about 3 to 4 km, roughly 150 m of ascent
Up village roads and footpaths from the stupa to the ridge.
Pullahari Monastery, Namo Buddha centre directory

Where people go next

Kopan Monasteryby car or jeep, about 0.3-0.6 hThe other hilltop monastery on the same rim.
Boudhanathon foot, about 0.8-1.2 hDownhill to the stupa.
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Parkby car or jeep, about 0.7-1.2 hWest along the rim to the park gates.

Boundary: Government of Nepal, Survey Department (2020). Peak data: Wikidata.

Permits and fees

None needed

There is no entry ticket for visitors; the monastery is open to respectful visitors, though access may be limited during retreats and ceremonies.

Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Pullahari Monastery, Namo Buddha centre directory.

Risks and conditions

Seasonal risks around Pullahari Monastery

What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.

Othermoderate in a typical yearDec-Apr
Dry-season dust and haze are a normal feature of the Kathmandu valley, where measured PM2.5 has run several times the WHO guideline level. Visitors prone to asthma usually do better on early mornings and after rain.
Kathmandu, Wikipedia
Coldmoderate in a typical yearDec-Feb
The ridge is exposed and rooms are unheated, so December to February mornings are cold, near freezing before sunrise.
Pullahari Monastery, Namo Buddha centre directory
Othermoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Forest and farm trails here are typically slippery in the monsoon, with leeches in the damp sections and cloud that hides the mountain views for days at a time.
Nepal, Wikivoyage
Landslideslow in a typical yearJun-Sep
The steep local road up the northern rim is cut into soft soil and slumps in places during the June to September rains; jeeps cope better than cars after heavy spells.
Nepal, Wikivoyage
Road blockageslow in a typical yearJun-Sep
About two thirds of the valley's rain falls between June and September, and sustained downpours typically waterlog junctions and slow valley roads, so short cross-city journeys can take much longer than planned.
Kathmandu, Wikipedia

Check current conditions before you travel

Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.

Practical tips

Remove shoes and hats before entering shrine halls, and ask before taking photos inside.
Retreat areas are closed to visitors; respect signs.
Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered.
Bring water; there are few shops on the ridge.
Mobile signal is generally available on the valley rim.

Questions about Pullahari Monastery

Where is Pullahari Monastery?

On a forested ridge on the northern rim of the Kathmandu Valley, about 3-4 km north-east of Boudhanath and near Kopan.

Can visitors go to Pullahari Monastery?

Yes, respectful visitors are generally welcome in the temples and grounds, though some areas are reserved for retreats.

Can I walk to Pullahari from Boudha?

Yes, it is about 3-4 km, mostly uphill, taking 1-1.5 hours.

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Pullahari Monastery