Shivapuri with an altitude 2720 m. lies inside the Shivapuri National park, in the northeast of Kathmandu remains the second highest hill around Kathmandu valley. Bagdwar, the source of the holy river Bagmati, is located near Shivapuri. The national park was established in 2002 and is home to 177 species of birds, 19 species of mammals, and 150 species of butterflies.
The trail will lead you to snow-capped mountains with infatuating snow through luxurious rhododendron forest and the green blanket forest. The major attractions here are the unbeatable views from the Shivapuri Peak at 2,720 m and the culturally significant Nagi Gumba, a monastery dedicated to the nuns. The hike up to the Shivapuri summit offers superb views of the Kathmandu Valley and towering Himalayan peaks.
Shivapuri Hiking provides breathtaking Himalayan vistas of the Budhanilkantha Temple, Ganesh Himal, Dorji Lhakpa, Rolwaling Himalayas, Langtang Himalayas, and Nagi Gompa. This trek is ideal if you enjoy birds, and occasionally we run into leopards, wild boars, and other creatures.
Early in the morning, you drive from Kathmandu to Muhan Pokhari for about 30 minutes. After passing through the official formalities at the Shivapuri Park entrance gate, you will begin your hike through Shivapuri watershed and wildlife area. The trail goes along the rugged motor-able road through pine and cherry forest up to Nangi Gompa, where a nunnery monastery is located. Beyond the monastery, the trail goes steep uphill through the oak, rhododendron and bamboo forest for another three hours. From here one can enjoy the beauty of snowy Himalayas such as Ganesh Himal, Langtang-Lirung, Dorji etc. You then take a shortcut downhill to Budhanilkantha and drive back to Kathmandu.