Nagi Gumba Forest Hike

One of Kathmandu's best-kept weekend hikes — and one of its most spiritually charged. Enter Shivapuri NP at the Muhanpokhari (Budhanilkantha) gate and follow the forest trail northwest for 3.5 km, climbing through dense oak, pine, and rhododendron to reach Nagi Gumba monastery at 1,950 m. The nunnery sits on a forested shoulder with an open courtyard and panoramic views down into the Kathmandu Valley. On clear mornings the entire valley unfolds below, with Himal Chuli, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang ranges visible to the north. The nuns are welcoming to respectful visitors, and the monastery's prayer hall is often open for silent visitors. The forest on this trail is thick and undisturbed — giant ferns, moss-covered trees, and a constant soundtrack of birds. The climb is steady but never brutal. Most people reach the monastery in about 1.5 hours from the gate. You can extend the hike onward to Nagi Gumba's upper retreat (another 1 km) or push on to Shivapuri Peak. Entry permit: Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park fee — NPR 100 Nepali / NPR 600 SAARC / NPR 1,000 foreign, paid at the main gate. No TIMS required.