Kakani Shivapuri Trek

Overview

The Kakani Shivapuri trek is another short, varied trekking route within easy reach of Kathmandu Valley, offering a quieter and more untouched alternative to some of the busier day-trek options nearby.

It’s well suited to a short trekking holiday with family, friends, or children, given its manageable pace and low technical demands. The trek starts at Kakani, reached by a pleasant drive about 25 kilometers northwest of Kathmandu, through hillside villages and terraced farmland that hint at what’s ahead on the trail itself.

From Suryachaur along the route, the trek delivers genuinely excellent mountain views, taking in Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Gaurishankar, Manaslu, and the Annapurna range all from a single vantage point, which is a rare combination for a trek this close to the capital.

This lush, green route effectively extends the Sundarijal Nagarkot trek, and most of it runs through Nepal’s newest national park, Shivapuri National Park. Kakani hiking itself is a well-known day trip option among the many short trails that crisscross the park.

Shivapuri National Park holds the distinction of being the only national park located inside a capital city, sitting less than 20 kilometers from Kathmandu’s international airport. Beyond its convenient location, the park plays a serious practical role as the primary watershed supplying much of Kathmandu’s drinking water.

Along the trail, the route also opens up to sweeping landscapes and views of more than 30 snow-capped peaks, alongside a close look at the lifestyles, history, culture, religion, and traditions of the communities living around the edges of the Kathmandu Valley.

The Kakani Shivapuri trek blends genuine wilderness with expansive views back over the Kathmandu Valley, passing through traditional villages and working farmland along the way. The final stretch of the trek runs through Nagarkot and on to Banepa.

On a clear day, Nagarkot delivers spectacular Himalayan views, which is exactly why it’s earned its reputation as a popular hill station among visitors to Nepal.

Park regulations and permit details are available from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.

For the shorter version of the second half of this route, see our Sundarijal Nagarkot Trek and for a wildlife-focused alternative, see ourJungle Safari Tour.