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Kathmanduशिवपुरी नागार्जुन राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

Forested hills on Kathmandu's northern rim, protecting the valley's water sources, with day hikes to Shivapuri Peak, Nagi Gumba and Jamacho.

This is the national park on the northern rim of the Kathmandu Valley; it is not Shivapuri Rural Municipality in Nuwakot or Shivpuri in India.

Plan a trip here
Sunset over forested ridges seen from Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park.
Photo: Nabin K. Sapkota (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Altitude
2,732 m*
Best months
Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
Type
National park or conservation area
District
Kathmandu, Bagmati
Permit
Entry fee

Why go

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park covers about 159 square km of forested hills along the northern and north-western rim of the Kathmandu Valley, spreading across Kathmandu, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchok districts with an extension towards Dhading. It is the closest national park to the capital, its southern gates only 11-15 km from central Kathmandu, and it protects the springs and streams that feed the Bagmati and supply much of the valley's drinking water.

The park is a favourite for day hikes. From the Budhanilkantha gate, trails climb through forest to Nagi Gumba, a Buddhist nunnery with valley views, and on to Baghdwar, the source of the Bagmati river, and Shivapuri Peak at 2,732 m, a long day up and back. From Sundarijal in the east, the trail to Chisapani crosses the park and is the first stage of treks to Helambu and Langtang. In the west, the Nagarjun section rises to Jamacho, a hilltop stupa at about 2,100 m with views of the Himalaya, reached by trail or a forest road.

Wildlife includes leopards, Himalayan black bears, barking deer, wild boar, monkeys and pangolins, though most are shy. The park is especially rich in birds, with more than 300 species recorded, and is one of the best birding spots around Kathmandu, along with butterflies and orchids.

Forest trail near Baghdwar in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park.
Photo: pratap baniya (CC BY-SA 4.0)

History and culture

The area was protected as a watershed and wildlife reserve in 1976 and gazetted as Shivapuri National Park in 2002, Nepal's ninth national park. In 2009 the Nagarjun forest reserve to the west was added and the park took its present name. It is managed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, with an army presence at the gates.

Shivapuri has long been a place of retreat. Shiva is said in Hindu tradition to have meditated on the peak, and hermits and yogis lived in its forests; the ashram of the well-known ascetic Shivapuri Baba was on its slopes. The park contains Buddhist and Hindu sites, including Nagi Gumba nunnery, the Baghdwar shrine at the Bagmati source, and the Jamacho stupa on Nagarjun, a hill associated with the Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna.

Things to do in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

  • Hike to Nagi Gumba

    Climb from the Budhanilkantha gate to the nunnery in about 2-3 hours for valley views; continue towards the peak if fit.

  • Summit Shivapuri Peak

    A long day hike of roughly 6-8 hours return from Budhanilkantha, with about 1,300 m of ascent.

  • Walk up to Jamacho

    From the Phulbari gate on the Nagarjun side, hike to the hilltop stupa in about 3-4 hours.

  • Birdwatch

    Walk forest trails at dawn in spring or autumn with binoculars.

  • Start a trek at Sundarijal

    Hike through the park to Chisapani, the first overnight stop on the route to Helambu or Nagarkot.

Weather and the best time to visit Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

Weather in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

Forecast for 2,732 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

  1. Jan
  2. Good month: Feb
  3. Good month: Mar
  4. Good month: Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Good month: Oct
  11. Good month: Nov
  12. Good month: Dec
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
October and November are clear, with views from the peak to the Langtang and Ganesh ranges.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
December to February is dry and often clear, but cold higher up, with occasional snow and frost on the peak.
Spring (Mar-May)
March and April bring rhododendrons and good birding, with more haze.
Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
June to August is wet, misty and leech-infested on forest trails, with slippery paths.

Where to stay

CampingMonastery guesthouses

Camping with park permission, and simple accommodation at Nagi Gumba by arrangement; most visitors come on day hikes. Chisapani, just outside the park, has lodges.

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

Getting there

The main gates are at Budhanilkantha and Sundarijal on the north of the valley, and at Phulbari for the Nagarjun section.

Nearest hub: Kathmandu

  • roadTaxi or bus from central Kathmandu to the Budhanilkantha gate, about 11-15 km, 40-60 minutes.
  • roadBus or taxi to Sundarijal for the trail to Chisapani, about 15 km, 45-75 minutes.
  • roadTaxi to the Phulbari gate near Balaju for the Nagarjun side, about 5 km, 20-30 minutes.

Getting to Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, by mode

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

  • By busfrom Kathmanduabout 0.75-1.25 hLocal buses

    Local buses run to Budhanilkantha for the main gate and to Sundarijal for the Chisapani trail; both are about 45 to 75 minutes.

    When to set off: start early: the park gates keep daylight hours and the Chisapani walk is a long day

    Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal Tourism Board

  • By car or jeepfrom Kathmanduabout 0.7-1.25 h

    Taxis reach the Budhanilkantha gate, about 11 to 15 km, Sundarijal, about 15 km, and the Phulbari gate for the Nagarjun section, about 5 km. Entry is paid at the gate.

    Road: Sealed to all three gates; the tracks inside the park are rough and a jeep is normally needed beyond the gate.

    Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal Tourism Board

  • By motorbikefrom Kathmanduabout 0.6-1.1 hModerate riding

    Easy sealed run to the gates; the forest tracks inside are rough and partly closed to vehicles.

    Road: Sealed approach, then rough stone and earth tracks inside the park.

    Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal Tourism Board

  • On footfrom Sundarijalabout 5-7 h5-7 h from Sundarijal to Chisapani, roughly 900 m of ascent

    The classic valley-rim stage climbs from Sundarijal through the park forest to Chisapani on the northern rim.

    When to set off: leave Sundarijal by 08:00 to reach Chisapani in daylight

    Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal Tourism Board

Where people go next

  • Chisapanion foot, about 5-7 hThe first stage of the valley rim trail.
  • Kathmanduby bus, about 0.75-1.25 hBack down to the city.
  • Kakaniby car or jeep, about 1.5-2.5 hWest along the rim to the strawberry ridge.
  • Boudhanathby car or jeep, about 0.7-1.2 hSouth-east to the stupa.
Mount Everest 8,848.86Kangchenjunga 8,586Dhaulagiri I 8,167Manaslu 8,163Annapurna I 8,091Shivapuri Nagarjun National ParkKathmandu
Boundary: Government of Nepal, Survey Department (2020). Peak data: Wikidata.

Permits and fees

Entry fee

An entry fee is charged at the park gates, with separate rates for Nepali, SAARC and other foreign visitors. Additional fees may apply for vehicles, mountain bikes or camping.

  • National park entry fee: Paid at the gate; current amounts differ between sources, so check on arrival.
  • Trekking beyond the park: For Helambu or Langtang treks starting at Sundarijal, check current permit, TIMS and guide rules separately.

Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal Tourism Board.

Risks and conditions

Seasonal risks around Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

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

  • Landslidesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep

    The park's forested slopes and the gate roads at Budhanilkantha and Sundarijal are landslide-prone in the June to September rains, when sections of track wash out.

    Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Wikipedia

  • Road blockagesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep

    Monsoon rain typically leaves the internal park tracks and the Sundarijal approach rutted and slow, so a jeep is the usual choice in those months.

    Nepal, Wikivoyage

  • Othermoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep

    Forest trails are slippery and leech-ridden from June to September, with cloud sitting on the ridge for days at a time.

    Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal Tourism Board

  • Coldmoderate in a typical yearDec-Feb

    The summit area reaches 2,732 m and December to February mornings are below freezing on the ridge, with frost in the forest clearings.

    Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Wikipedia

  • Snowlow in a typical yearDec-Feb

    Light snow falls on Shivapuri peak in some winters and can linger on the shaded upper trails.

    Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, 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

  • Start early and carry water and food; there are no shops inside the park.
  • Hike in company and stay on marked trails; people have become lost in the forest.
  • Wear long trousers and check for leeches in the monsoon.
  • Mobile signal is available near the rim but patchy in the forest.
  • Keep your entry receipt; it may be checked at army posts inside the park.

Questions about Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

How do I get to Shivapuri National Park from Kathmandu?

Take a taxi or bus to the Budhanilkantha gate, about 11-15 km and 40-60 minutes, or to Sundarijal or Phulbari for other trails.

Do I need a permit for Shivapuri?

You pay a national park entry fee at the gate. Check the current amount on arrival, as sources differ.

How hard is the Shivapuri Peak hike?

It is a long day hike of roughly 6-8 hours return from Budhanilkantha with about 1,300 m of ascent through forest.

Is altitude sickness a risk on Shivapuri?

The peak is 2,732 m, which is generally below the height where altitude sickness is a common problem, but the climb is steep and tiring.

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Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Wikipedia, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal Tourism Board, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation