You must be well aware of a few essentials before planning the hike to Shivapuri Peak.

Best Time

You may think that reaching Shivapuri is just a day-long hiking in Kathmandu and is doable throughout the year. But, the weather can make a significant difference in the hike experience. Furthermore, the condition of the hiking route, the presence of bugs, and the cloudy outlook can ruin your 18 km-long hike.

July, August, and mid–September are not good times for Shivapuri Hike. More than half, around 9 km of trail remains slippery with monsoon rain. Additionally, with three long rainy months, the bushes grow thick, and bugs, mosquitoes, and leeches cause problems for hikers. Most importantly, the clouds and fog cover Shivapuri Peak top and even Kathmandu Valley during these months. Hence, you’ll miss the beautiful panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley and the Langtang mountain range.

Spring, Autumn, and Winter are absolute periods for this hike. The rhododendron blossom in Spring at Shivapuri lures hundreds of Nepali youths every weekend. Also, the occasional snowfall at Shivapuri Hilltop in winter attracts hikers. Moreover, the autumn colours and colourful plant litter make this hike wonderful.

The best weather, temperature, and visibility during these months make the hike experience wonderful. You’ll see snow-capped Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, Dorje Lhakpa, and other panoramic mountains. Furthermore, the entire Kathmandu valley and nearby hilltops remain one to watch.

Precaution

Even solo, Shivapuri Day Hike is a straightforward hike if you do it right. However, taking a licensed trekking guide ensures utmost safety throughout the day. Alongside guiding, your trek guide will be a companion for the hike.

If you’re considering this hike in months like June, July, and August, you must be very careful. It would help if you planned this hike on a clear weather day. Thunderstorms and heavy rain cause issues and can put you at significant risk.

Moreover, it’s better to carry bug-repellent creams while hiking here. There’s a high chance of getting bitten by bugs even while wearing a full-sleeved t-shirt.

Another precaution is to watch out for wild animals. This national park has tigers, leopards, and other dangerous wild animals. There’s a meagre chance of encountering wild animals. But it’s always best to be cautious.

Hiking gears

For Shivapuri Day Hike, you’ll need a few proper hiking gear. Cap/Hat, sunglass, full-sleeve t-shirt, Windstopper, hiking pants, and decent hiking boots are necessary. Furthermore, please carry a 1-2 litre drinking water bottle. Make sure that you have a proper hiking bag as well, not more than 20 litres.

If you have these gears, there’s no need to buy any. However, there are only so many good stores where you can purchase hiking gear in Kathmandu. One of them is Gorkha Athletics, our official gear partner. They provide budget-friendly, quality sportswear, including pullovers, shorts, quick-dry t-shirts, joggers, and other apparel.

Physical fitness

You must be physically fit to reach Shivapuri Peak and return. If you have a hiking experience, reaching the top can be easy. Thus, you must be physically suitable for this hike.

Before planning this hike, We recommend doing exercises like cardio, swimming, and even mini–hiking. It’s not that you can’t reach the top and complete the hike. It’s just that it will be challenging for unfit people.