With modernity, people are becoming very busy. People are not able to give enough time to themselves in the midst of much hard work day and night. Especially, people from dense settlements and cities want to enjoy a quiet natural environment during short vacations. Likewise, we will explain in this travel blog about an excellent destination for people who are directly and indirectly busy in Kathmandu Valley. In other words, we will try to take you to that destination together. Our destination is Shivpuri Peak.
Trip Overview
- Destination: ShivaPuri Peak
- Route: Lagankhel - Budanilkantha - Pani Muhan (Ticket Counter) - Helipad - Bhoteni - Deurali - Bagdwar - Gumba - Shivapuri Peak - Sataruleshwor Mahadev (Kamdhenu Shila) - Bishnudwar - Panimuhan
- Duration: 3 hours on foot ( to reach peak from Panimuhan)
- Travelling Type: Hiking
- Hiking Type: Uphilling
- Entry Fee: Rs. 100 per person
- Maximum Altitude: 2732 meter
- Latitude: 27.48.73 : Longitude: 85.23.07
About Destination
Shivapuri peak is the highest peak of Shivapuri Nagarjuna National Park. It is in 2732 meter altitude from sea level. This National Park is spread in Kathmandu, Sindhupalchok, Nuwakot, and Bhaktapur districts. Shivpuri peak lies between all these places. So, there are many routes to reach here. The peaceful natural environment, wildlife, varieties of flora and fauna, Rhododendron forest, waterfalls, temple, gumba, diversity of eco system etc are the major attraction of Shivapuri.
Our trip to Shivapuri peak
The winter season was almost over. On the morning of March 4, 2023, a team of three people including me were planning to leave for a one-day hike. Accordingly, I (Pujan), Sujan and Dipendra sir, three of us met at Lagankhel at around seven o'clock in the morning.
Our hiking starts from Budhanil Kanth. So, we travelled by Sajha from Lagankhel to Budhanilkanth at 7:30 AM. Since it was Saturday, the youths who were going to visit Budhanilkanth from Lagankhel were also on the bus. Sajha Bus reached Budhanilkanth in about 45-50 minutes, facing the pale morning sunlight and the dust blowing on the highway of Kathmandu. The Sajha bus fare from Lagankhel to Budhanilkanth was Rs 35 per person. If you have a student ID card, the fare is 20 rupees per person.
Visit Budanilkantha Temple
It was around 8:20 am when we reached Budhanilkanth from Lagankhel. The journey was somewhat religious and somewhat adventurous. Faithful in the sense that we had some kind of faith or Believe. Perhaps that faith should be for the rational energy that hides in the invisible. Adventurous in the sense that it is a matter of adventure to walk for 4-5 hours continuously next to someone who is suffocating in the Kathmandu Valley.
We started this hiking by visiting Budhanilkanth temple. As it was a Saturday, there was a queue of devotees on the temple premises. Our destination is Shivpuri Peak. So there is no need to stand in line to visit the temple. We visited the temple from the outside. We also took some photos and selfies. And left the temple premises.
Take breakfast
The three of us had deeply agreed that our destination was Shivpuri Peak. After visiting Budha Nilakantha temple, it was around 8:30. We have to walk uphill for 3 hours straight. There will be no shops or food inside the forest. All the food you need should be carried by yourself. We ate fresh Tarkari Jhol, samosas and tea at Poornima Khaja House in front of the temple. After that, we bought some fast food and fruit for food while hiking. We bought grapes and oranges in Fruits. And we took food like peanuts, chickpeas, bananas, biscuits, chocolates, chewing gum etc. in fast food. We put that food in Sujan's bag. It is very important to carry enough water while hiking. We took that too.
Budanilkantha to Panimuhan (Ticket counter)
We took lunch and water required for Shivpuri peak hiking. Soon, after that, we moved our steps towards the Panimuhan. You have to climb uphill for about 15-20 minutes to reach the Panimuhan from Budhanilkanth. With the mid-morning sun, we went up to look at the surrounding houses, farms, gardens, and restaurants. A big building was built near the forest and was being painted. Maybe a big hotel is being built.
It was 9 o'clock in the morning when we reached the Panimuhan (1650 m). Private vehicles can be brought here. In order to go inside from here, you have to take a ticket. Be it a person or a vehicle.
Before reaching Panimuhan, the heat made us tired. Our goal is to reach Shivpuri peak. I filled out a form at the National Park Ticket House in Pani Muhan and took three tickets. And, paid Rs 100 per person for the ticket. Vehicles have different ticket prices. For example, tickets for bicycles, bikes, and cars must be purchased at different rates.
After taking the ticket, the bags are checked when entering through the gate. Also, Nepal Army staff do ticket entry. Now, our hiking journey to Shivapuri peak started officially within the Shivapuri national park.
It prohibits bringing various items and belongings inside the Shivpuri National Park. Speakers, knives, scissors, meat, and other items are not allowed inside the national park. That is why bags check at the gate. If prohibited goods find inside the forest, action will be taken according to forest laws.
Panimuhan to Helipad
The unpaved path of the forest starts in Panimuhan. The weather here was a bit cold. The big trees did not allow the sun to reach the ground. Therefore, there is no feeling of heat inside the forest. After reaching a little above the ticket house, two roads meet. From The left side road, you reach Bishnudwar. And, from the right side road, you can reach Nagi Gumba, Bagdwar, and Sundarijal.
After walking for about 20-25 minutes from Panimuhan, we reached the helipad at 9:40. We reached the helipad through the dirt road of the forest, observing the surrounding plants and gossiping. The helipad is at a height of 1760 meters above sea level. From this place, two roads diverge to reach Baghdwar. Through a Nagi Gumb. And, from the other helipad, going up the stairs. The road from Nagi Gumb is not very steep. However, the way up the stairs from the helipad is a bit steep and difficult.
Helipad - Bhoteni- Deurali
Leaving the path of Nagi Gumb and going up the stairs, the flowers of Lali Gurans could be seen everywhere. Some crows were looking at us from the top of the plant. Some of the red leaves had fallen on the ground. And, something must have definitely fascinated people.
Dipendra sir used to introduce us to plants, insects and grasshoppers while remembering the forest of his village. On the way up, there was a very different environment of nature. We were on a hiking trip, immersed in the amazing charisma of nature. We definitely did not feel any kind of fatigue. Maybe nature was sucking our fatigue?
On this route, you have to climb a lot of stairs. The three of us were enjoying the hike with the sounds of the sweet birds, the rays of the sun that sometimes appeared and disappeared, the trees that were falling down and turned into soil, the trees of the Rhododendron that had lost the fallen red gourds, and some memorable gossips. At the same time, we used to stop at different places. And, we used to take some photos for memory.
It was a self-absorbed hike. Around 10:26 we reached Bhoteni. There was a natural riverbed. We drank the water of that riverbed with pleasure. And also took some photos. Few people hike through this route. There were not many people on the road. So if you also want to hike Bagdwar through steep stairs and isolated routes, this is the best route.
It was 11:04 p.m. We were in Deurali. Deurali is the place where travellers coming from Nagi Gumb and travellers coming from the route we travelled to meet at the same place.
Deurali - Bagdwar
The road from Deurali to Baghdwar has some stairs and most of it is straight. After reaching Deurali, the vegetation seems to have changed. It should be at some height. In the lower part, there is a forest with thick bushes. However, as the height increases, tall trees are found in the forest. And, bushes are seen in less quantity. All the trees, big and small, are bent over the steep ground. We thought to ourselves that the gravity on this hill must have caused the trees to bend down.
After a continuous walk of about half an hour from Deurali, we reached the holy Baghdwar.
Bagdwar
Baghdwar is the source of the Bagmati river. It is a centre of faith. Its height is 2490 meters above sea level. The Baddwar is like a small square. There are stone streams towards its corner. A tiger's head has been shaped in one of the main streams. There is a small pond in the middle of it. And, in the middle, there is a small idol of Lord Shiva. Around it, there are Shiva linga and various artistic stone idols.
We washed our hands and face at Bagdwar. And, we also drank water from the stream. Dipendra sir was showing his faith by taking water from the stream in his hands and putting it on the Shiva Linga. Similarly, He was chanting some mantras too. Sujan and I were busy taking photos from different angles.
Bagdwar to Shivapuri Peak
We enjoyed ourselves in the Bagdwar for some time. And, continuing the journey, let's go towards the peak. A little above the Badgwar there is a Gumba. There are two ways to reach the peak of this gumba. An uphill road. From where it directly reaches the peak. And the other way is to reach Peak through Tinchuli. It takes about half an hour to reach the peak from both roads. We left the road to Tinchuli. And, chose the uphill road. While going uphill, we also ate the chocolates and chewing gum that we brought.
While climbing the stairs, the fruits growing in the forest caught our eyes. Dipendra sir used to put the fruit in his mouth even if it is not ready. At the same time, he ate that fruit. We also tasted it. I didn't like it. Sujan was also spoiling his face. Maybe he must not be sweet either. Dipendra sir ate that fruit with pleasure.
It took us 50 minutes to reach the peak which is 30 minutes from Bagdwar. Perhaps plants, stairs, etc., are trying to block us. Capturing the memories in photos, and the grounded and baseless conversations made our journey a bit longer. It's a journey. In this way, everything from philosophy to daily life comes out of the mouth.
Shivapuri Peak
Around 12:15 pm we reached the peak. Shivpuri Peak is the highest hill in Shivpuri National Park. It is 2732 meters above sea level. This hill is somewhat wide. Where you can relax and eat the snacks you have taken. The main thing is that there is an idol of a sadhu called Shivpuri Baba. From this peak, when the weather is clear, you can see the snow ranges such as Jugal, Langtang, etc. In the lower part, there is a red Gurans (Rhododendron) in the jungle. However, White Gurans (White rhododendron called Chimal) find around the peak.
We had some fruit and some fast food for lunch at Shivpuri Peak. At that time many people were having lunch at the peak. Everyone was having fun together in their group, taking pictures and eating lunch. We had lunch like that.
After having lunch at Shivpuri Peak, we went towards Sataruleshwar Mahadev which is near the peak. After reaching Sivapuri Peak, you must reach here. A very charming view is seen from here. Looking down from the top of a huge rock, the dense forest and the blooming Chimal flowers are enticing. When we reached there, the clouds were flying overhead. It felt like flying on a cloud somewhere. There were others, including us. However, everyone was calm. It seemed that everyone was in deep meditation. Dipendra sir was seated in meditation for five minutes. We were feeling a new energy inside us as we stood.
Kamdhenu rock is another attraction of this peak. It is next to Satruleshwar Mahadev.
Return via Bishudwar Route
After sharing the funny and memorable moments from the heart to the mobile phone photos, we were ready to return at around 1 o'clock. Three of us decided to return via Bishnudwar. Because instead of getting a return on the same path, you can gather new experiences by returning through a new route. Accordingly, we went down the route towards Bishnudwar. On the way back, we also ate the remaining snacks. All come down when returning. Walk on your own. The species of plants will also change as it descends.
The weather will also change. After 1-2 hours of continuous descent, we reached the dirt road of the motor that reaches the water spring at once. We barely realized that we had left Bishnudwar behind. There were two routes in between. We have taken a shortcut. Perhaps we have left the route of Bishnudwar for another time of hiking.
Around 2:40 pm, three of us reached the Panimuhan. After checking out at the Pani Muhan checkpoint, we left Shivapuri.
Shivapuri Peak is not a new destination for me. After living in Kathmandu Valley, sometimes I like to go for a long walks. At that time, my first destination would be various places in Shivpuri National Park. If I want to go for a walk after a long time, I gather my friends and walk all day. This kind of walking addiction gives a chance to gather some new life experiences.
