Quick Facts:
- Location: Kathmandu,44600
- Major inhabitants: Himalayan Black bear, leopard, jungle cat, and rhesus monkey
- Altitude: 2732m at its peak
- Length:159 sq km
- Best time to visit: September to early June
- Hiking difficulty: Easy
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park is a protected area located on the northern fringe of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. Established in 2002, it covers an area of 159 square kilometers. It is also home to a variety of natural forest types, as well as wildlife such as Himalayan Black bears, leopards, and rhesus monkeys. The park is an important source of drinking water for Kathmandu Valley and is a popular destination for trekking.
History:
- It was established as a protected area in 2002, although the forests in the region had been protected since the 1970s.
- The park was named after Shivapuri Peak, which is the second-highest peak in the Kathmandu Valley and lies within the park’s boundaries.
- The area was declared a protected watershed and wildlife reserve in 1976.
- In 2002, it was officially established as Shivapuri National Park and covered an area of 144 km2 (56 sq mi).
- The national park was expanded in 2009 with the inclusion of the Nagarjun Forest Reserve, adding an additional 15 km2 (5.8 sq mi) to the park’s area.
Main Attractions of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
The park is home to a variety of natural forest types including pine, oak, and rhododendron. Also, we can find a range of wildlife species such as the Himalayan Black bear, leopard, jungle cat, and rhesus monkey. The park is also home to 177 species of birds, including at least 9 threatened species, 102 species of butterflies, and 129 species of mushrooms. Shivapuri is also one of the main sources of drinking water for Kathmandu Valley. The park is easily accessible from Kathmandu.
It is also famous among visitors for trekking, with trekking routes to Nagarkot, Gosaikunda, Helambu, and Langtang National Park passing through the park. There are also several religious sites for the Hindus and the Buddhists inside the park. Visitors can also have breathtaking views of the high Himalayas from the northern aspects of the park. There is also such a beautiful waterfall, which helps visitors to lose all of their stress by hearing the sound of water and the beauty of nature.
Things you can do in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
Physical activities: Jungle walks, trekking, cycling, and hiking are other outdoor activities that visitors can participate in while enjoying the wilderness of the Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park
Bird-watching: It’s one of the popular activities in the park, which offers a chance to see various bird species.
Wildlife photography: If you are a Photographer, then you will certainly love Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park It has diverse wildlife and plant species and you can capture the park’s beautiful flora and fauna in your photos.
How to get there
- The nearest entry point to the valley is Budhanilkantha, which is around 8km from Kathmandu.
- Another entry point to the park is Sundarijal, which is located around 15km from Kathmandu.
- Balaju is also an entry point to the park, which can be reached via a bypass.
- Visitors can take a bus, taxi, or private vehicle from Kathmandu to reach entry points.
- Once visitors reach the entry point, they can either hike or take a vehicle to explore the park and its surrounding areas.
Entry Fees:
For Foreigners: NRs 1000 per person per Entry.
For SAARC country Nationalities: NRs 600 per person per Entry.
For Nepali Citizens: NRs 100 per person