Best Hiking Destination in Kathmandu Valley

Jamacho Hiking is one of the best hiking destinations to relax, calm, and be in nature, and for those who are keen to explore nature, mountains, flora and fauna, and bird watching, this is the best hiking destination for you, which is an easy, short hiking destination and favorable for all age groups of people. 

Jamacho Hiking is a one-day hiking destination located in Kathmandu Valley, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Jamacho hike starts near Balaju, bypass. It is also known as Phulbari Gate. To start our day hike, we needed to check in at a Nepalese Army checkpoint and pay a certain amount for the entrance fee. The entrance gate is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. You have to check out at 5 p.m. from the entrance gate. You cannot carry some stuff like a gopro, a knife, and a lighter. If you are with your guide, then the guide will shuttle all these things. Jamacho hiking is about 4.4 km from the bottom to the top, which takes around 2-3 hours to reach the top hill and about 1.5 hours to get back. It depends upon the person's pace. Jamacho Hills is about 2100 m high to the top. Hiking trails are stone steps in some parts where you have to walk from the middle of the forest as you can enjoy beautiful nature, different kinds of flora and fauna, bird watching, and so on. If you are lucky, then you can see some wildlife like the Red Panda, the Leopard, Jackel, Monkey, wild boar, and different species of birds.

Jamacho Hill is named on the bases of Jamacho Gumba, where we can see the Glorious Monastery on the top of the hill. On Nepalese New Year Day (Baishak 1st) falls in the around 2nd week of April, a huge mela is held on the top of the hill where most of the Hindu and Buddhist people celebrate the new year in this peaceful nature, full of joy and happiness. As well, you can enjoy the panaroma view from the top of the hill, where you can see the beautiful Kathmandu city and some Himalaya ranges, like Jugal, Langtang, Manasalu, and Annapurna. The best time to visit this place is March, April, and May, and September, October, and November, but during the rainy season the view is clearer because rain cleans up all the dust and pollution.

If you want to avoid crowded city life but cannot walk, then there are roadway facilities to reach the top, where you can enjoy nature and a peaceful environment on the way. For this hike, you don’t need any special kind of training or exercise, which is a very easy hiking destination inside Kathmandu Valley. If you are staying in Thamel, then Phulbari Gate (hike starting point) is around 3 km from Thamel, which is one hour's walking distance. Also, it is easy to catch local buses to reach Phulbari Gate from Thamel.