Shivapuri National Park
Popular as trekking hiking and recreation area, the park offers the nearest retreat from Kathmandu. The park was established as a Watershed and Wildlife Reserve in 1976 and was decleared as a national park in 2002 for the protection of its flora and fauna. It covers an area of 159 sq. km and is a true representation of the mid hills. While there are 13 trekking routes inside the reserve itself, the most important is the trekking route to Helambu.
Flora and Fauna
It has a high diversity of forest types (sal, Terai hardwood, mixed hardwood, chir pine and oak). A total of 129 species of mushroom, 150 species of butterfly (many endemic and rare), 177 species of birds and 19 species of mammal have been recorded in the park. Shivapuri National Park has been shelter of Himalayan bkack bear, leopard, barking deer, wild boar, wildcat, rhesus monkey and langur monkey and 9 endangered species of birds.
Highlights
Itinerary I
Shivapuri Hiking (2,700m)
The hike starts from the base at the monastery. We will drive till the monastery. The trail climbs steeply through the forest to Bagdwar with shrines and hermitages. From there another half an hour's climb take us to the top with panaromic view of Ganesh Himal, Jugal Himal and Manaslu Range.
Itinerary II
Shivapuri Trek
Duration: 2 night / 3 days
Day 01: Start trekking from Kakani. Overnight in the tent
Day 02: Morning sunrise view from the top. Have breakfast and then trek to Chisapani.
Day 03: Trek along the ridge to Nagarkot and drive back.