Country
Nepal
Duration
Day Trip
Maximum altitude
2,130 meters / 6,989 feet
Activity
Hiking
Difficulty
Easy
Best Season
Year Around
Accomodation
Excluding
Meals
Excluded
Start/End Point
Kathmandu
Nagarjun Hill day hiking is a short hike that goes to the top of Nagarjun Hill (2300 M), also known as Jamacho. The walking distance from Fulbari Gate to the top of the hill is 4.371 km. This short hike is like a piece of cake, so you don’t have to worry about difficulty. The journey takes 5/6 hrs, leaving from Thamel until arriving back. This hike offers a bird's-eye view of the Kathmandu valley, a Himalayan panoramic view, a walk through a lush green forest, amazing flora and fauna, and Jamcho Gumba.
The name Nagarjun was derived from the name of the Buddhist saint Nagarjuna, who came to the Nagarjun forest, meditated for several years, and got enlightened. This holy and sacred hill is located in the northwest part of the Kathmandu Valley. This forest, located in Nepal, was preserved by the Nepali government and is known as Nagarjun Forest Reserve. Later, the forest was combined as part of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Many different animals, including wild boar, cats, tigers, foxes, and monkeys, are found inside, whereas the dense forest is famous for its flora. And also, many different kinds of subtropical flora, including some herbal plants having great ayurvedic value, can be found here.
From Jamacho (2300 m), there is an excellent view of the mountain range with Annapurna South (7219 m), Machhapuchhre (6996 m), Annapurna 1 (8091 m), Annapurna 11 (7937 m), Lamjung Himal (6980 m), Bussha Himal, Himalchuli (7825 m), Manaslu (8156 m), Ganesh Himal (7130 m), Pabulg IV (7102 m), Ganesh 11 (7150 m), Langtang Himal (7246 m), Pekhu (6700 m), Sisapangma (8013 m), Gangchhenpo (6297 m), Gurkarpori (6974 m), Dorjelhakpa (6790 m), Gaurishankar (7145 m), Phurbidhvachu (6722 m), and Mount Everest (8848 m).
The hike goes slightly uphill towards the top, where there is a monastery, Jamacho Gumba. During the hike, we pass through several caves and shrines; we could see some wild animals like wild boar, monkeys, and many varieties of birds. Thus, this place could be heaven for bird watchers.
This hike is one of the easiest hikes near Kathmandu, and any physical fitness level can hike this. This is the perfect location for hiking from Kathmandu, which can take you away from the crowd within thirty minutes. Don’t forget to verify your checklist before you depart.
Day Hiking Schedule
08:30 AM Drive to Nagarjuna Fulbari Gate/15 min drive from Thamel |
09:00 AM” Start to hike from Phulbari gate. |
10:30: A few minutes water break. Refreshment. |
11:30 Explore Hilltop & visit Jamacho Gumba |
11:30 to 12:30: Explore the Jamcho Gumba and Tibetan culture. |
12:30-2:00 PM Return to Nagarjuna Fulbari gate & drive back to your destination.
The majestic Mount Nagarjun leads you to the very top of the mountain for an unforgettable aerial perspective of the Kathmandu Valley where the modern city, the ancient temples, and the Himalayas all come together. This combination of different elements creates unforgettable memories, especially with the astonishingly beautiful distant snow-covered Himalayan peaks that are so perfectly framed at the top of the mountain.
Jamacho Monastery is the one that sits atop the mountain as a holy Buddhist monastery where monks live in quiet solitude and prayer is their only activity. The fluttering of the prayer flags is accompanied by the mountain winds and the wandering around the stupas done by the practitioners adds to the spiritually enriching ambience of the place which is already filled with the ancient traditions.
Hiking through the national parks of Shivapuri Nagarjun gives you the chance to be in forests full of trees such as the magnificent oak, pine, and rhododendron among others. Moving under the shade of the trail that passes through the dense green foliage, you will feel cooler while at the same time be able to see the diverse wildlife and natural beauty of Nepal.
The incredible meditation caves where Saint Nagarjuna would go to do his spiritual practice hundreds of years ago can be found along your hiking path. Trail of these mystical rock shelters will take you to the world of the Buddhist hermits and at the same time, you will not miss the chance of taking creative photos since these places are great for adventurous explorers.
The peak of the mountain is a place where the hikers are treated with the fantastic 360-degree view that covers the mountains of Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, and Annapurna. If the day is bright, you can see the sunrise turning the snowy peaks into gold, creating an amazing Himalayan panorama that is worth every step of the uphill climb.
Over 150 bird species are found in these preserved woodlands, among them vibrant pheasants, woodpeckers, and warblers on their migrations. Lao tzu would say that "A good observer is one who never needs to speak" and it is so in this case where witnesses to birding get and country observers to hear the melodious calls in might of the heaven.
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