This is an easy to moderate trek – one of the finest trekking routes around Kathmandu Valley. Everyone with a love for the outdoors will enjoy this trek.
This Trek will give you good views of the Himalayan peaks and nature as you hike and camp on the hills of Kathmandu valley. Even though being so close; yet it provides a visitor a glimpse of the remoteness and the grandeur of the villages found in Nepal. Shivapuri Village (2729m) is a true spirit of Nepalese village experience and hospitality. The trek is named after the Shivapuri National Park, which is regarded as the nearest National Park from the International Airport. This trek offers various activities to keep oneself busy during the stay be it in the form of Nature Treks and Hikes, Ethnic Village Tours, Bird Watching, Photography or just a simple relaxing leisure. This is a fantastic hiking tour from Kathmandu. Very few people trek around Kathmandu valley. It offers a rich insight into the lives, history, culture and religion of its inhabitants. The valley rim lies around 1000/2800 m and in the spring offers early flowering rhododendrons and through the autumn and winter, wonderful mountain vistas which can, from certain view-points, stretch from Everest in the east to Annapurna in the west. Shivapuri hill (2729m) is the highest point of this trekking. From the top of Shivapuri, one can have a panoramic view of the western mountains like Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Ganesh Himal Range, Mt. Langtang Range, Mt. Dorjeelakpa Mt. Shisapangma, Mt. Gaurishankar and many more. In short span of time one can see more than sixty peaks from here. When we gain our height to Nagarkot, we would see other mountains too. Nagarkot is the most popular point for viewing mountains, sunrise and sunset, beautiful landscape, river and beautiful scenery green hill. The Shivapuri National Park, initially established as Shivapuri Watershed Reserve in 1976, Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve (SWWR) in 1984, and located 12 kilometers north of the Kathmandu metropolis, was gazetted in 2002.
Duration: 3 Day Trek
Access: 2 hour drive
Starting Altitude: 1930 meters or 6370 feet
Peak Altitude: 2725m or 8,990 feet
Itinerary in detail
See the Overall Tour Summary for details on itinerary for before and after your selected trek.
Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Nagarkot 1932m (2 hours) and trek to Chaubas 1700m (1/2 hours).
Early morning drive from Ktm to Nagarkot. We will start our Trek from there. Easy walking through villages with excellent mountain- and valleyviews. Camp at Chaubas on the top of the ridge. Overnight at tented camp.
Day 2: Trek from Chaubas to Chisopani 2215m (6/7 hours).
This morning our trail follows the ridge line to the north and we enter the Shivapuri Nature Reserve. Look out for birds like the plaintive Himalayan Barbet, bright Minivets or perhaps spy an eagle patrolling the treetops. Our camp will be on grassy meadows with views towards the eastern horizon. Overnight at tented camp.
Day 3: Trek from Chisopani to Shivapuri 2725m (5/6 hours).
Shivapuri Nature Reserve protects a wondrous world of orchid and moss festooned oak, a beautiful rhododendron forest. This rich ecosystem is the home of countless Himalayan flora and fauna, including many of nepal’s 800 bird species. In this fascinating setting, time passes away unnoticed and soon you will find yourself on the summit of Shivapuri, from where the views look even more stunning, if that is possible. Overnight at tented camp.
Day 4: Trek from Shivapuri to Kakani 2030m (5/6 hours) and drive back to Kathmandu (2 hours).
After spending a night in this peaceful retreat, we descend and then walk through forested mountainside to Kakani. All along there are views of Himalchuli, Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal and ample opportunity of look for Rhododendrons, rhesus monkeys and wild bears. They all inhabit the reserve. This is a day of pleasant walking through forested tracks. It is an natural haven so close to Kathmandu. Drive back to Ktm. Overnight in Hotel.
