Escape the chaos of Kathmandu with Nagarjuna day hiking. The Nagarjuna hill stands 2,128 meters above sea level. Breathe fresh air, unwind, clear your mind, and spend time in nature.
The Nagarjuna day hike is one of the best day trips you can enjoy in Kathmandu. Nagarjuna Hill is located on the northwest side of Kathmandu.
It is a lovely two-hour hike through the Shivapuri National Park. Nagarjuna Hill is also a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists, so your excursion will have a zest of spirituality.
On the hill, there is Jamcho Gompa (monastery). So, calling the Nagarjuna day hike the Jamacho day hike is common among the locals. You can listen to monks chanting and praying in the monastery.
Likewise, there is also a cave nearby where a revered Buddhist philosopher is believed to be meditated. The Nagarjuna day hiking route starts from Phulbari Gate.
You can reach the starting point of the trail in just 20 minutes drive from Thamel. You will follow a serene trail and hike up to the top of the hill, discovering various plants, flowers, and birds along the way.
The top of the hill presents a breathtaking aerial view of Kathmandu Valley and striking Himalayan ranges. You can see the Manaslu range, Ganesh Himal range, Langtang range, Jugal Himal range, etc, from Nagarjuna Hill.
If you are in Kathmandu and looking to spend your morning in nature with some cardio workout, Nagarjuna day hiking will be the best option. It is a short hike, so you can complete it in 4 to 5 hours. So, if you start the trip around 6:AM, you will be done by 11:00 AM.
Highlights
- A perfect day activity near Kathmandu for travelers looking to spend some time in nature
- A short and fairly easy day hiking program ideal for all age groups
- Enjoy fresh air, unwind, and clear your mind
- A great cardio to pump up your heart and blood flow in your body
- Explore the different plants, flowers, and birds of the Shivapuri National Park
- Visit the Jamcho Gompa (monastery) and a holy cave
- Witness the breathtaking aerial view of Kathmandu Valley and striking Himalayan ranges from the top of the Nagarjuna Hill
- No previous hiking experience is required
- Ideal day hiking program for groups, solo travelers, students, families, elderly travelers, colleagues, etc
Is the Nagarjuna day hike suitable for you? Who can do this hike?
The Nagarjuna day hiking is for all age groups. It is a short and fairly easy hike to complete. Therefore, whether you are a beginner hiker or have previous hiking experiences, you will enjoy Nagarjuna day hiking.
The Nagarjuna day hike is a great workout as well. If you want to sweat and spend time doing cardio, hiking to Nagarjuna Hill is an excellent option. You do not need to be fit or physically active to join Nagarjuna day hiking with us.
Moreover, if anyone wants to start hiking and eventually hopes to do long treks in the Himalayas, Nagarjuna day hiking is a fantastic start. You will see how your body is reacting during uphill walking and prepare for bigger hikes accordingly.
The Nagarjuna day hiking is ideal for groups, solo travelers, students, families, elderly travelers, colleagues, etc. Pretty much everyone can go on this hike. It is also a great activity to bond with your loved ones.
Things hikers should know before doing the Nagarjuna day hiking
- Kindly do not harm the plants and flowers during the hike.
- Note that the Shivapuri National Park is home to wild animals. They do not show up on the hiker's trails, but you may encounter them if you wander off the established trail.
- Hikers are not allowed to carry speakers, lighters, matchboxes, or anything flammable during the hike.
- Carry a water bottle and some snacks because you will not find any shop on the way.
- Wear comfortable clothes and hiking shoes during the hike.
- Carry insect repellant, especially if you are hiking during monsoon time. We recommend wearing full pants and T-shirts.
- Pack spare batteries or a power bank for mobile phones and cameras, just in case.
- While hiking, maintain your pace and enjoy the surroundings. If you feel tired, do not hesitate to take short breaks.
- Keep yourself hydrated.
Nagarjuna day hiking route
We will provide a friendly hiking guide for the Nagarjuna day hike. He will know the Nagarjuna day hiking route as well as the surrounding areas. He will pick you up from your hotel/location in Kathmandu around 6:00 AM or at the designated time.
You will take a short drive to Phulbari Gate near Balaju Bypass. It is the starting point of the Nagarjuna hike. As the hiking trail goes through Shivapuri National Park, we have to obtain permits. The guide will help you with that.
Once we receive the permits, we will tighten our shoelaces and start hiking. The trail goes through forested hills and soon enters a deep pine forest. You will see a variety of plants and birds on the way.
On the way, you will stop at Army Camp to show your permits and continue hiking. Upon reaching the top of Nagarjuna Hill, you can see the Jamacho Monastery.
At the top, you will be rewarded with excellent scenery and mesmerizing distant views of the great Himalayan range. The mountain views are spectacular on a clear day.
Enjoy some time relishing the views and resting. You can have your packed lunch. After that, follow the same trail back and descend to Phulbari Gate.
The guide then drops you off at your hotel and bids you goodbye. He will also give you a certificate that says you have completed the Nagarjuna day hiking with Adventure Treks Nepal.
What to pack for Nagarjuna day hike?
For the Nagarjuna day hike, you will need the following things:
- Comfortable undergarments
- Hiking trousers/shorts
- Breathable t-shirt
- Windcheater jacket
- Thermal layer (as per the weather)
- Comfortable hiking shoes (do not wear new hiking shoes)
- Socks
- Backpack
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- SPF and lip balm
- Map (optional)
- Packed lunch/snacks
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Mobile, camera, power bank, spare batteries
- Wet wipes
- Tissue
- First-aid kit
- Whistle (great to have)
Nagarjuna day hiking cost and what it includes
We provide group and private Nagarjuna day hiking options. So, solo travelers and groups are both welcome. We have special discounts for groups. The bigger the group, the more discounts you will enjoy.
Our Nagarjuna day hiking cost includes the following things:
- Expert, friendly, English-speaking hiking guide.
- Shivapuri National Park permit, which is Nrs 1000 for foreigners and Nrs 100 for Nepalese.
- Company's charge.
*Note:
- Any expense not mentioned above, hikers have to take care of themselves.
- Tipping the guide and driver is recommended. You can tip them based on your satisfaction level with their service.
The best time to do Nagarjuna day hiking
The best time to do Nagarjuna day hiking is March, April, May, late September, October, November, and early December. These months have great weather and climate to enjoy the hike.
You can also hike in summer/monsoon (June to August) and winter (December to February) seasons. However, the weather, climate, and trail conditions will not be as fine as the best hiking months.
It all depends on what you are looking for and what kind of nature/weather conditions you want to experience. March to May is definitely the peak time because the hill is teeming with greens and different colors of flowers.
If your goal is to see the Himalayan mountains, check the weather on the day you are going to hike to Nagarjuna Hill and make your plans accordingly. The period after rainfall is great because rain washes off all the dust, and the hills and mountains are visible from viewpoints like Nagarjuna Hill.
