Name: Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
Rating: 4.2

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal Overview

Towards the north of the Kathmandu valley, just from where the hustle and bustle of the urban world start to fade away, and the imaginary lines of the city get blurred into the outskirts, lies the Shivpuri National Park. The sprawling sub-tropical forest, spreading for around 160 square meters, the forested area covers the districts of districts of Kathmandu, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchowk. Other than being a biodiversity hotspot, this is also a favourite place of the locals for hiking, trekking and mountain biking. Tourists who love to tread the path less travelled and take the offbeat journey also should keep a day or two for a visit to these woods.

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, now a complete forest reserve with a horde of flora and fauna enriching its ecology, was once only a water catchment area. The main river here is Bagmati, which serves as one of the major sources of potable water for Kathmandu. Though the stream you find inside the city is more or less a running sledge, up in the mountains, its pristine form is visible to the naked eye.

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Culmination of Religion and Culture

Nestled inside the Shivapuri National Park is the Tibetan nunnery called Nagi Gumpha. Stunning views of the valleys below accompany the true-blue feeling of a monastery in a calm and collected atmosphere and the colourful flags. This might be a great place to make a stop, rest your legs and snap a few pictures of the trip since the nuns are used to visitors and do not really mind. However, the monkeys jumping might mind occasionally, and try to snatch your stuff from your hands - so be careful with food items and valuables.

Hiking in Shivapuri National Park

The trek through the wilderness of the national park will take you through dark green forests. Though hard to decipher in places, the footsteps of the previous hikers over the years have left a ghost of a trail mark on the damp ground, covered in moss. Mostly a cool, shaded trek, the sunlight occasionally makes its way through the canopy of broad-leaved oak trees and creates limelight on the ground.

For those who love mountain biking, there are routes for them as well. Bikes can be hired from the towns downhill, no matter which route you follow. Both the activities have their own appeal. Mountain biking makes the whole process much faster, and you get to enjoy the pines and cherry trees lining the roads and the cool mountain breeze, even cooler on your face.

On the other hand, walking means, you get to enjoy nature from close quarters - noticing the different kinds of exotic trees and shrubs the National Park has to offer. If you are lucky enough, you might catch a glimpse of two of some harmless wilderness. Though in most parts, Shivapuri Nagarjun National park is known for its collection of wild Indian cats - leopards and jungle cats.

There is enough for the occasional bird-watchers as well. If you spend enough time silently within the jungle, you can observe a vast variety of birds joining the party - Eurasian eagle-owl, barred cuckoo dove, white-gorgeted flycatcher, slender-billed scimitar-babbler and golden-throated barbet are some of the many you might observe.

Shivpuri National Park, on the whole, is a beautiful, serene and refreshing experience. You get to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul from the cacophony of the urban lifestyle and the stress of everyday life, even if for one day.