Shivapuri Peak Day Hike from Kathmandu

Forest trails and a steady climb lead to the 2,732 metre summit of Shivapuri Peak on this guided day hike from Kathmandu, taking in a hilltop nunnery and the source of the sacred Bagmati River along the way. Panoramic mountain views open up at the top, weather permitting, with a packed lunch enjoyed before the descent. Private transport and a guide are included throughout the day.

📋 Key Details

• Location: Shivapuri National Park, north of Kathmandu
• Duration: About 7 hours
• Minimum age: 15

🏄 What to Expect

Pickup from a Kathmandu hotel is followed by a short drive to the entrance of Shivapuri National Park, where the hike begins through dense forest of rhododendron, oak, pine and bamboo. The trail climbs steadily past Nangi Gompa, a working nunnery, before reaching Bagdwar and continuing to the summit of Shivapuri Peak.

A packed lunch is taken at the top before the group descends via Tokha, arriving back in Kathmandu in the early afternoon.

📍 Location

Shivapuri Peak sits within Shivapuri National Park, a protected area of forest directly north of the Kathmandu Valley that shelters some of the oldest trees in the region alongside a wide range of birdlife and wildlife. The peak itself, at 2,732 metres, is the high point of the park and gives sweeping views back across the valley on a clear day.

Lower down the mountain, Bagdwar marks the source of the Bagmati River, considered sacred in Hindu tradition, while the descent passes close to Budhanilakantha, home to a well known reclining statue of Lord Vishnu. Between the peak, the river source and the temple, the route combines natural scenery with several culturally significant stops.

✅ Prerequisites

A reasonable level of fitness is needed for this hike, since the trail climbs steadily to 2,732 metres over several hours through forest terrain. It suits travellers who walk regularly rather than complete beginners to hillwalking.

Sturdy walking shoes, a warm layer for the summit and enough water for the climb are all recommended. Given the sustained ascent involved, the hike is set with a minimum age of 15.

⭐ Why Choose Us

Guides on this route know the park well, from the working nunnery at Nangi Gompa to the quieter forest stretches away from the main trail, and can point out the oldest trees and likely wildlife along the way.

Combining the summit of Shivapuri Peak with the sacred river source at Bagdwar and a stop near Budhanilakantha gives the day more depth than a straightforward there-and-back hike, all arranged with private transport and a dedicated guide.