Day Hike to Budhanilkantha Temple and Nagi Gompa in Nepal

8:00 AM – Hotel Pickup in Kathmandu

We begin with a comfortable morning pickup from your hotel. A short 30-minute drive takes us to the sacred Budhanilkantha Temple, nestled at the foothills of the Shivapuri hills.

8:30 AM – Explore Budhanilkantha Temple

Also known as the "Sleeping Vishnu", this open-air temple features a giant black stone statue of Lord Vishnu floating in a pond. It’s a powerful place—peaceful, mysterious, and deeply spiritual. You’ll learn about its legends and why even the kings of Nepal wouldn’t dare step inside the main shrine.

9:00 AM—Begin the Hike into Shivapuri National Park

After registering at the park gate, we start the gradual uphill hike through the lush, pine-covered trails of Shivapuri National Park. The air is cool, birds flutter through the trees, and the city feels miles away—even though it’s just below.

The hike to Nagi Gompa takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on your pace. It’s not a race. We walk mindfully, pausing for water, photos, or a moment to simply listen to nature.

11:30 AM – Arrive at Nagi Gompa

At around 1,800 meters, the Nagi Gompa Nunnery sits quietly on the hillside. Home to a community of Tibetan Buddhist nuns, it’s a place of prayer, retreat, and deep stillness. The panoramic views over the Kathmandu Valley are breathtaking, but the true magic here is in the calm atmosphere.

You can sit on the terrace, meditate, read, or simply breathe. If the nuns are welcoming visitors, you may get a chance to step inside the main prayer hall and soak in the chants and butter-lamp warmth.

12:30 PM – Light Packed Lunch or Tea Stop

We’ll enjoy a simple packed lunch or hot tea (depending on the group plan). Let your legs rest and your senses reset.

1:30 PM – Hike Back Down

We take the same trail back to Budhanilkantha, moving gently downhill through the forest. It’s much easier on the return, and by now the trail feels familiar and even more peaceful.

3:00 PM—Drive Back to Kathmandu

Your ride will be waiting at the bottom. We’ll drop you back at your hotel by around 4:00 PM, refreshed and reconnected—with nature, with spirit, and maybe with yourself.