Nagarjuna hike is a day program with a hike nearby Nagarjuna hill located 23 km northwest of Kathmandu city. It is one of the closest and most popular hiking destinations in central Kathmandu. We will start our Nagarjun Day tour from your hotel at around 9:00 am. Then we will head ahead towards the day hike to Nagarjuna. Nagarjuna is the best place to chill with an admirable view of the high Himalayas.
The hike is through Shivapuri National Park which is rich in flora and fauna. Shivapuri Nagarjun national park comprises two different hill islands; Shivapuri to the north and Nagarjuna to the west of Kathmandu. It is separated by a dense urban area. Nagarjuna hill is famous for its religious and historically significant. There are several caves on Nagarjuna hill. Some are empty while others are almost in remnants. Out of these caves two most important one is situated inside the Raniban forest while another is placed outside the gate on the Balaju-Trisuli Road. The cave inside the Raniban forest is said to be made by Nagarjuna to worship Swayambhunath and placed an image of Akshobhya Buddha. Near the Nagarjun cave, you can see one mysterious cave known as Buffalo Buddha which is made by the Tibetans. There is a legend that once Nagarjuna was living in this cave. A buffalo herdsman used to visit the master and was offering milk, curds, etc. Once he invited the Master to town but the Master told him to meditate in the same cave. But the herdsman was always thinking of his buffaloes. Later he himself became a buffalo. After meditation, he shot through the roof of the cave and went to heaven.
The vegetation consists of a variety of natural forest types including pine, oak, rhododendron, etc., reliant on altitude and aspect. Here, in the park, you found wildlife including mammalian species such as Himalayan Black bears, leopards, jungle cats, and rhesus monkeys. This park is not only a garden, but it is also home to 177 species of birds, around 9 endangered species, 102 species of butterflies with a number of rare and endangered species, and 129 species of mushrooms. Our journey takes around 3 hours to climb the Nagarjun top known as Jamacchour. It is one of the famous Buddhist stupa (2128m). From this top, you can enjoy the stunning view of Annapurna Range, Manaslu Range, Ganesh Himal Range, Langtang Range, and Everest Range.
